Monday, March 16, 2015

# 5 HONEY


…continuing…

205 INT/EXT VARIOUS. MONTAGE. DAY/NIGHT

- HONEY sits in class in her school uniform, listening attentively.

JASPER (voice over)
That was the beginning of the 'honeymoon'…

The TEACHER asks a question. HONEY'S arm shoots up.

JASPER (voice over)
That's what Rebecca called it…

- HONEY teaches HELEN to cast a rod from the rocks HELEN, all thumbs, laughs at her lack of fishing skills. 

JASPER (voice over)
She said it wouldn't last…

JASPER and DANIEL, fishing nearby, look on and laugh.

JASPER (voice over)
…but I didn't believe her. Nor did mum and dad.

- REBECCA, in her office talking with DANIEL and HELEN, shrugs, shakes her head, holds up her hands: “Beat's me!”

JASPER (voice over)
Rebecca couldn't find any trace of Honey's family…

HONEY, JASPER, DANIEL and HELEN sit at the table in the dining room.

JASPER (voice over)
…and Honey was not going to help with any clues.

HONEY laughs, shakes her head, as HELEN, jug of crepe mix in hand, prepares to pour it into the flambé pan.

JASPER (voice over)
I figured…we figured…it was because she didn't want to go home.

HONEY picks a packet of long stem matches up from the table.

JASPER (voice over)
And I didn't want her to go home.

HELEN picks up a bottle of Crème de Menthe.

JASPER (voice over)
I liked having a sister - even if she was a bit weird sometimes.

HONEY watches HELEN'S movements with a 'strange' intensity.

JASPER (voice over)
But as long as she took her medication…

HONEY takes a long-stemmed match from the box.

DANIEL 
Have you taken your pills?

HONEY 
Yes dad!

HELEN laughs, splashes a liquor into the flambé dish. HONEY strikes a match, hands it to HELEN, who lights the liquor in the pan.

HONEY is mesmerized by the flames.

- JASPER and HONEY in bed together.

JASPER (voice over)
Honey taught me to think about things in a different way.

HONEY 
Happiness is just a station along the way, ay!

JASPER
On the way where?

HONEY 
To your destination.

JASPER
And what's the destination?

HONEY 
To sing with the angels.

JASPER thinks about this for a long moment.

JASPER
So its OK to be unhappy?

HONEY 
Not okay, Jas. Just the way it is. A station along the way.

JASPER listens, wide-eyed, snuggles closer to HONEY

HONEY 
One of heaps of stations and you've got to stop at them all.

HELEN appears in the doorway, taps her watch.

HELEN
School night!

HONEY kisses JASPER on the cheek, leaps out of bed, kisses HELEN quickly on the cheek as she walks out the door.

206 INT. KITCHEN AREA. DANIEL'S STUDIO. DAY

HONEY, in her school uniform, an iPod at her hip, fills an electric jug with water, turns it on. As she waits for it to boil she takes a vial of pills from the backpack at her feet, unscrews the cap, tips two into her hand, looks at them. 

207 INT. TOILET. DAY

HONEY tosses the pills in her hand into the toilet; upends the rest of the vial into the toilet; flushes it.

208 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. DAY

Amidst the hustle and bustle of his busy studio (a photo shoot is in progress)

DANIEL sits at his computer, using Photoshop to enhance the smile of a young woman in an ad.

HONEY appears, in her school uniform, a cup of coffee in one hand, her iPod clipped to her waist. She puts the coffee down on the desk beside DANIEL.

DANIEL 
Thanks.

HONEY leans close to DANIEL, looks at the computer screen, adopts her own version of an Ad Executive's voice:

HONEY 
 “Think you could make her 28% happier, Daniel?”

DANIEL  (smiles)
I'm trying for 42%.

HONEY laughs, walks to the stairs leading to the 'loft'; puts tiny headphones in her ears; turns on her iPod. As she climbs the steps her favourite music displaces all studio sounds.

209 INT. DANIEL'S 'LOFT'. DAY

As she (and we) listen to her favourite music, HONEY takes her blue one-armed teddy bear from her backpack and sets it alongside Daniel's teddy bear, facing each other.

HONEY (voice over)
My only fear, diving deep into his soul, is the fear that I'll drown.

HONEY takes out her journal, lies on her tummy on the futon, writing in it. The camera moves in to a tight shot of her face. She yawns.

HONEY (voice over)
I want him to dive deep into my soul too but what if he finds, deep down, the demons lurking there…

CLOSE ON DANIEL, at the head of the wooden stairs, looks at HONEY asleep on the futon - her journal at her side.

HONEY (voice over)
…that frighten him as much as they frighten me…

A LITTLE LATER

DANIEL sits on the edge of the futon, alongside HONEY. Honey's journal is open in his lap.

HONEY (voice over)
…the me that even I can't learn to love?

CLOSE ON Honey's hand-writing:

…the me that even I can't learn to love?

HONEY opens her eyes, reaches out, closes her journal.

HONEY 
It's private now.

DANIEL 
You've given away enough secrets?

HONEY nods.

DANIEL 
Do you really want no-one to find out your secrets?

HONEY stares at DANIEL - her face giving nothing away.

210 EXT. ROCKS. LATE AFTERNOON

HONEY'S hands shake as she tries to bait a hook. She is pale, sweats profusely, glances at her shoulder - a 'crazy' look in her eyes. A TEENAGE BOY fishes from the rocks nearby. She gives up trying to bait her hook, stares into space, looks at her shoulder, flicks at her unseen tormentor obsessively.

Her attention is caught by the TEENAGE BOY reeling something in. HONEY watches as an octopus emerges from the water, on the end of the boy's line. Her eyes flare, she watches, mesmerized, as the TEENAGE BOY takes out his knife and prepares to kill the octopus.

HONEY (screams)
No!

211 EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOUSE. DUSK

As DANIEL pulls up in driveway on his motor bike he catches a glimpse of HONEY, carrying a bucket, disappearing in through the front door. There is a taxi parked in the street.

212 INT. KITCHEN. DUSK

HONEY, carrying a bucket, walks fast past HELEN as she bastes a leg of roasting lamb in the open oven. JASPER, doing homework on the kitchen table, looks up.

HELEN 
Honey!

HONEY does not reply; moves fast into the Dining Room. JASPER stands, follows her.

DANIEL walks into the kitchen, looks at HELEN for an explanation. “Beats me!” she gestures. The sound of JASPER screaming can be heard from the dining room.

213 INT. DINING ROOM. DUSK

HONEY stands in front of the aquarium - mesmerized by the sight of the octopus squirming wildly in the aquarium. DANIEL and HELEN rush in. The scene moves very fast.

DANIEL 
What the…!

HONEY 
He was going to kill it…

HELEN 
Honey, what have you…

DANIEL 
It's going to die in there, Honey. It's a salt water animal. That's fresh water.

HONEY runs into the kitchen; reappears with a large canister of salt. As she tries to pour the salt into the aquarium HELEN grabs hold of her arm to stop her. To brace herself HONEY grabs hold of the edge of the aquarium. DANIEL grabs HONEY around the waist to pull her away. HONEY hangs onto the edge of the aquarium and it falls with a crash to the floor. Fish, water, octopus and broken glass fly everywhere.

A TAXI DRIVER appears in the doorway. 

TAXI DRIVER 
Your daughter. She not pay fare…

214 EXT. ROCKS. NIGHT

JASPER watches DANIEL tip the octopus from a bucket into the sea. The octopus remains still for a long moment, as if dead, then swims off. JASPER is relieved.

215 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HONEY, backpack in hand, stands in the doorway, looks at:

HELEN drying her photo albums with paper towels. Plastic bags filled with water and tropical fish rest on the floor.

HONEY 
I'm sorry.

HELEN, focused totally on her damaged albums, ignores HONEY.

HONEY 
Thanks for trying.

HONEY hesitates. HELEN won't look at her. HONEY turns, walks out the door. HELEN looks up, covers her face with her hands.

216 EXT. BEACH. NIGHT

DANIEL and JASPER walk back towards the car.

DANIEL 
Jas, this is not a time for secrets.

JASPER 
I promised.

DANIEL 
Sometimes you have to break promises.

JASPER  
The way octopusses can wrap themselves around a rock, change their shape, their colour and…

DANIEL 
And?

JASPER  
…hide themselves in a cloud of ink. And…

DANIEL 
And? (A BEAT) Jas?

JASPER 
Honey's mother is alive and Honey loves her more than anything and she wants to take care of her because she's…she's mentally ill but she won't let Honey take care of her because…

DANIEL'S mobile phone rings.

DANIEL 
Alive! Honey's mother is alive?

JASPER nods, starts to cry. As DANIEL pulls her close, hugging her, he flips open his mobile, looks at the screen: HELEN. He puts the phone to his ear, listens a moment, nods.

217 EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT

HONEY, a strange look in her eyes, speaks on her mobile.

HONEY 
I've got nowhere to stay.

218 INT. JUVENILE DETENTION CENTRE. NIGHT

A YOUTH WORKER, telephone receiver in hand, shakes her head:

YOUTH WORKER (laughs)
Honey, this is not a holiday camp.

219 EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT

HONEY flips her mobile shut, looks at her shoulder. Her POV:

A Green Goblin on her shoulder laughs, leans close to whisper in her ear.
HONEY tries to flick the (now invisible) Green Goblin from her shoulder. There is madness in her eyes now.

JASPER (voice over) 
“Where angels sing and fish can fly…”

220 INT. GRANNY FLAT. NIGHT

JASPER sits on Honey's bed, reading a note. HELEN stands in the doorway.

JASPER   
…and magic violins do cry…

JASPER
Of love and longing, I can but try…

CLOSE ON the note in JASPER'S hands: 

WHERE ANGELS SING AND FISH CAN FLY
AND MAGIC VIOLINS DO CRY
OF LOVE AND LONGING, I CAN BUT TRY
TO FIND THIS PLACE BEFORE I DIE

JASPER
…To find this place before I die…

HELEN
She's just trying to get attention.

JASPER turns and stares at HELEN coldly.

221 EXT. SHOP. NIGHT

HONEY heaves a brick through a shop window. The burglar alarm goes off. HONEY sits in the gutter, lights up a cigarette.

A LITTLE LATER

A police car approaches. HONEY smiles, stands. The police  drive by. HONEY, pissed off, flips open her mobile phone.

222 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

DANIEL collects broken glass from the carpet around the plastic bags full of tropical fish. HELEN walks in, a magazine in her hands.

HELEN
This'll make your day!

DANIEL looks at the magazine. CLOSE ON:

The front cover of the magazine ART NOW. The photo of Honey being arrested with the text ART OR EXPLOITATION?

DANIEL is stunned. HELEN sits on the white leather couch, picks up one of her damaged photo albums, shakes her head.

HELEN
Ruined!

DANIEL 
It can be fixed!

HELEN  (angry)
What! My albums? The aquarium? Your reputation? Our marriage?

223 INT. CAR NIGHT

HONEY, eyes blazing, sits in the back seat, brushing the unseen Green Goblin from her shoulder. SIMMO drives.

Alongside him is COURTNEY, 16. HONEY takes a used envelope from her back pack.

224 INT. JASPER'S ROOM. NIGHT

JASPER sits on her bed in tears - her hands over her ears. When she removes her hands she hears her parents arguing.

HELEN  (voice off)
This is not what I wanted.

DANIEL   (voice off)
What did you want?

225 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN shakes her head (“I don't know”), places a water damaged photo album back on the table alongside the others.

HELEN 
What did you want?

DANIEL 
You, just you.

HELEN  (nods)
Do you still have me?

DANIEL 
I don't know! Do I?

HELEN stares at him for a long moment, makes an 'I don't know' gesture, brings her hands to her face, covers it.

226 EXT. CAR. NIGHT

Through the window we see HONEY placing a furled umbrella under SIMMO'S shirt, poking outwards.

SIMMO 
What do I say? 'Stick 'em up?'

HONEY shakes her head, hands SIMMO a pen and the envelope.

227 INT. CAR. NIGHT

HONEY watches SIMMO walk into the all-night chemist across the road, glances at her shoulder fearfully.

228 INT. CHEMIST. NIGHT

SIMMO hands the envelope to the CHEMIST. He looks at it, looks at SIMMO, at the umbrella under his shirt sticking out; at the note which reads: 

This is a robery. We want cash and Valium.

CHEMIST 
There's two bs in robbery.

SIMMO (nods)
Thanks.

SIMMO pauses a moment before walking awkwardly out the door.

229 INT. EN SUITE BATHROOM/BEDROOM. NIGHT

DANIEL throws toiletries into his duffle bag. HELEN is angry.

HELEN  
Look at me, fuck you!

DANIEL turns, faces her; makes a quizzical “And?” gesture. HELEN shakes her head, makes an “I give up” gesture.

DANIEL  
What the fuck am I supposed to see?

HELEN  
You're fucking blind, Daniel.

DANIEL  
But not psychic! Sorry darling.

HELEN slaps DANIEL hard across the face.

HELEN  
Fuck off.

DANIEL 
Request granted.

DANIEL tries to push past HELEN. She blocks his way, takes his head in her hands, forces him to look at her.

HELEN  
Why do we do this?

DANIEL looks away. HELEN pulls his head around again, kisses him, lightly at first, then passionately - her eyes open. DANIEL has his eyes closed. The kiss comes to an abrupt end.

HELEN  
Why don't you look at me when we kiss? (A BEAT) When we make love?

DANIEL does not want to have this conversation. He walks past HELEN, throws clothes into his duffle bag.

HELEN goes to the walk-in cupboard, takes out the plastic bag with his climbing shoes and bag of chalk in it, extracts both, hands them to him, speaks calmly.

HELEN 
If you're going to run away you'll need these.

230 INT. JASPER'S ROOM. NIGHT

JASPER looks out the window at DANIEL, in the street, kick-starting his Harley and driving off.

HELEN (voice off) 
I'm sorry…

JASPER turns, looks at HELEN standing in the doorway.

HELEN  
…you had to hear that.

JASPER stares at HELEN angrily. HELEN sits on the edge of Jasper's bed, pats it: “Come here?” JASPER shakes her head.

HELEN 
Honey's a survivor. She'll be okay.

JASPER 
Being okay's not enough.

HELEN nods in agreement. Tears well in her eyes. JASPER walks up to her, puts her arms around HELEN - her mother's head against her chest; strokes HELEN'S hair.

231 EXT. CITY STREETS/DINING ROOM/JASPER'S ROOM. NIGHT

In a MONTAGE, with violin concerto music over:

- DANIEL searches for Honey on his Harley.
- HELEN repairs her damaged photo albums in the dining room.
- JASPER in her bedroom, eyes closed, prays for Honey.
- DANIEL makes his way to the rocks overlooking the ocean.
- HELEN picks up her mobile phone; talks to someone.
- HONEY buys a small petrol can in a service station, walks to a bowser, unscrews the cap.

232 INT/EXT. FRONT DOOR. NIGHT

HELEN opens the door to JASMIN. In her arms (head on shoulder) a sleeping girl about three years old. 

HELEN 
Shit! I'd forgotten that you had kids…

233 EXT. PARK. NIGHT

HONEY sits in a park; the can of petrol between her legs. She unscrews the lid, takes matches from her pocket.

234 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

JASMIN lays ABIGAIL on the sofa to sleep.

HELEN
Sorry to do this to you…

JASMIN 
It's okay. Donald's with his dad and Abbie is used to…this is her 'normal'.

235 EXT. PARK. NIGHT

HONEY lifts the can of petrol to head level; stares at it.

236 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN, glass of wine in hand, sits with JASMIN on a white leather couch. ABIGAIL is asleep on another couch.

HELEN 
Lost. (A BEAT) In a word. (A BEAT) And with not a map in sight.

237 EXT. PARK. NIGHT

HONEY sits with the can poised above her head, readying to pour petrol on herself. Her mobile rings. She looks at it for a long moment, puts down the petrol can, picks up her mobile.

HONEY
Hello…Daniel…Sorry I fucked your life up…I…

DANIEL (telephone)
Honey, listen to me…

HONEY
Okay.

DANIEL (telephone) 
Yes, I have thought of stepping into space and going to live with the angels in eternity…if I was alone in the world…but I could never break the hearts of the angels I would leave behind. Please don't break my heart, Jasper's heart. (A BEAT) Helen's heart. You are not alone, Honey.

HONEY
Do you think you could ever love me as much as you love Jasper?

238 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL, mobile at his ear, can't answer this question.

HONEY (telephone)
I'll be OK. (A BEAT) Don't worry about me. (A BEAT) Promise.

DANIEL
Promise.

239 EXT. PARK. NIGHT
HONEY flips the mobile phone shut, stares at the box of matches in her hand.

240 INT. STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL sits at a table, staring at his climbing shoes and bag of chalk, fingers rapping nervously on the table surface.

241 DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN and JASMIN sit together. HELEN, a little tipsy, refills her glass with Brandy as JASMIN puffs on a joint.

HELEN 
I don't know what I want! (A BEAT) I'm not even sure what I don't want.

JASMIN laughs, holds the joint out to HELEN.

HELEN
Will it make me go crazy?

242 EXT. PARK. NIGHT

HONEY lights a match, stares at it.

243 INT. SHED. YOUNG HONEY'S HOME. NIGHT

CAROL, a lit match in her hand, looks up at:

YOUNG HONEY screaming on the other side of the upstairs window, looking down at her mother.

244 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL stares at his climbing shoes, bag of chalk. His fingers rap nervously on the table as he smokes a cigarette.

245 DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN, a little stoned now, photo album in her lap, surveys the half dozen photo albums laid out on the couch and table.

HELEN
Do you think I'm a bit obsessive?

JASMIN smiles, raises her eyebrows.

HELEN
You don't have to answer… truthfully.

JASMIN
Does my bum look big in this?

HELEN bursts out laughing.

246 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL takes a last puff on his cigarette, stubs it out, takes another cigarette from the packet, puts it in his mouth, lights a match. He looks at the burning match as the flame makes its way closer and closer to his fingers. He blows the match out, crumples the unlit cigarette, picks up his climbing shoes and bag of chalk and walks to the door.

247 EXT. OLD FACTORY. NIGHT

DANIEL walks from the front door to a garbage bin, opens the lid, throws his climbing shoes and bag of chalk into it.

248 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN is more than a little stoned and drunk now.

HELEN
The only thing I'm sure of is that I don't want to never know what I want!

JASMIN smiles.

HELEN
At least I think I'm reasonably sure!

JASMIN laughs.

249 INT. STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL picks up his mobile, punches in a number: HELEN. He sees something moving through the window, cancels his call, walks to the window, sees HONEY standing in the parking lot, arms bleeding, staring blankly at him.

250 EXT. OLD FACTORY. NIGHT

DANIEL walks up to HONEY, takes her hand, leads her to the entrance.

251 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. NIGHT

HONEY glares fearfully at her shoulder, madness in her eyes as DANIEL bandages her arms. 

DANIEL 
There is no Green Goblin, Honey.

HONEY
I know, but I can see him. Hear him. I know he's not real (A BEAT) But what's real?

DANIEL 
Me. Here. Now.

HONEY stares at DANIEL with unseeing eyes.

DANIEL
Right?

HONEY is not sure. She looks at her hand.

HONEY
Is this my hand? I know it is my hand but…it's not my hand.

252 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN and JASMIN, stoned, sit on the white 'leather' couch - trying to look into each other's eyes without laughing. JASMIN moves her head close to HELEN'S as if to kiss her. 

JASMIN
What do you see?

HELEN
Your lips, your nose, your eyes.

JASMIN moves closer, her lips now an inch from HELEN'S.

JASMIN
And now?

HELEN
Just your eyes.

253 INT. DANIEL'S 'LOFT'. NIGHT

HONEY, fully dressed, lies on the futon looking at DANIEL, sitting beside her, covering her with a sheet. 

HONEY
Ted?

DANIEL hands HONEY her blue teddy bear. HONEY holds it close.

DANIEL
You going to be OK?

HONEY nods, reaches out with her hand, takes DANIEL'S, holds it tight, looks directly into his eyes. 

DANIEL
I'm just downstairs, OK?

HONEY shakes her head, doesn't want him to leave her. DANIEL tries to disengage his hand from HONEY'S. She resists. DANIEL strokes her hair gently, disengages his hand, stands.

254 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN and JASMIN look into each other's eyes.

JASMIN
What do you see?

HELEN is scared, excited and confused at the same time.

JASMIN
I don't want a stranger peering into my soul. He can put his cock inside me but I don't him to catch even a glimpse of my soul.

HELEN nods - her face just inches JASMIN'S still.

HELEN
And you don't really want to be looking into the soul of a perfect stranger!?

JASMIN shakes her head almost imperceptibly. HELEN and JASMIN look into each others eyes for a long moment.

JASMIN
Or looking into the soul of someone you love…and finding a stranger.

255 INT. 'LOFT'. DANIEL'S STUDIO. NIGHT

HONEY looks at her shoulder - the fear in her eyes dissipating as she nods her agreement with whatever the (unseen) Goblin on her shoulder is saying to her.

256 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN pours Crème de Menthe into two small goblets as JASMIN rolls another joint.

JASMIN
No tall, dark stranger sweeping you…(off your feet)?

HELEN (smiles)
Only in my dreams.

JASMIN
Is that enough?

HELEN (laughs)
How much is enough? How much is too much? Fucked if I know, Jasmin.

JASMIN
And Daniel?

HELEN
A young model once. Only once… that I know of…I think(A BEAT) just once…

257 INT. STUDIO. NIGHT

DANIEL lies in the dark on a fold out couch bed - eyes wide open, unable to sleep.

HONEY (voice off)
Daniel.

DANIEL turns his head, sees HONEY standing at the bottom of the stairs to the 'loft', clutching Ted - her blue teddy.

HONEY
I'm scared.

DANIEL watches HONEY as she walks up to his bed, sits on it.

DANIEL
The Green Goblin?

HONEY looks at her shoulder, nods.

HONEY
Can't shut him up. A real chatterbox.

DANIEL
Is he talking to you now?

HONEY
No, because you're here. (a beat) And jealous, I think.

DANIEL (smiles)
What's he talk about?

HONEY
How its all my fault.

DANIEL
What? (A BEAT) What's your fault?

HONEY shrugs, is reluctant to talk about it.

DANIEL
Maybe this is one secret you should tell someone.

HONEY
What happened to my mother. How if it hadn't been for me…

DANIEL
If it hadn't been for you, what?

HONEY
If it hadn't been for me she'd be dead and…singing with the angels.

DANIEL
I don't understand.

HONEY looks at DANIEL. Tears stream down her face. She looks at her shoulder.
DANIEL leans close to HONEY'S shoulder.

DANIEL
Fuck off.

HONEY bursts out laughing, looks at her shoulder.

DANIEL
Did he fuck off?

HONEY
No, but you should see his face. He's pissed!

HONEY leans close into her shoulder.

HONEY
I would really appreciate it Mr. Chatterbox if you just kept your thoughts to yourself, okay?

HONEY turns to DANIEL, smiles, becomes vulnerable.

HONEY
Do you think you could ever love me the way you love Jasper?

DANIEL
I don't know. Maybe.

HONEY (smiles)
Maybe is enough.

258 EXT. FRONT DOOR.NIGHT

JASMIN holds ABIGAIL in her arms - her sleeping head nestled into JASMIN'S shoulder. HELEN kisses JASMIN on the cheek.

HELEN
Thanks.

259 INT. STUDIO. NIGHT

HONEY sits on the edge of DANIEL'S bed, lighting a cigarette.

HONEY
My mum never kissed me or cuddled me or hugged me. (A BEAT) Only time she ever touched me was when she hit me. (A BEAT) Sometimes I'd deliberately get her angry so she'd hit me…

DANIEL (nods)
I guess feeling pain is better than feeling nothing.

HONEY
Is that why you burnt your fingers?

DANIEL (laughs)
Ever though of becoming a therapist when you grow up?

HONEY (laughs)
You could be my first patient.

DANIEL smiles. HONEY holds her cigarette out to him. He shakes his head.

HONEY
You're good at resisting temptation?

DANIEL nods. HONEY looks at him for a long moment then lies beside DANIEL, propped up on one elbow.

DANIEL
Honey!

HONEY
Did Rebecca tell you I'd probably try to seduce you?

DANIEL
What she said was 'Girls like Honey who have been sexually abused…'

HONEY
I'm not a girl like Honey. I'm just Honey!

DANIEL
Maybe I do need a puff…

He reaches for her cigarette. HONEY shakes her head. DANIEL smiles. HONEY smiles, puts her head on his chest.

HONEY
Tell me a story.

DANIEL (smiles)
'Honey and the Octopus'.

HONEY frowns playfully.

HONEY
I'm no sure I want to hear this story!

DANIEL
I read something in your journal… something like…“I want to dive in deep but I'm afraid I'll drown…”?

HONEY nods.

260 INT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S BEDROOM. NIGHT

HELEN sits on the bed, her old violin resting on her lap, reading through some sheet music, humming to herself.

261 INT. STUDIO. NIGHT

HONEY lies alongside DANIEL, reading from her journal.

HONEY
“I want him to dive into my soul too but what if he finds, deep down, monsters he doesn't like. Monsters he can't learn to love, the me that I can't even learn to love?”

DANIEL
Your monsters don't scare me.

HONEY (laughs)
You are so funny! (A BEAT) You didn't read the next sentence, did you?  (READING) “She went on to say, 'I'm afraid of what I'll see if I look too deeply into my own eyes. I'm not sure I want anyone else to see what's there. Who's there. Maybe there's no-one there. Or maybe no-one I'd want to meet on a dark night.”

DANIEL
She? Who said that? (A BEAT) Helen?

HONEY nods.

262 INT. KITCHEN. DAY

JASPER, in her pajamas, eats breakfast. A 'beep' on her mobile: a text message. She looks at the screen: HONEY:

luv u

JASPER smiles, starts to write a reply as HELEN, on the other side of the kitchen, punches a number into her mobile: DANIEL

263 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. DAY

In the foreground Daniel's mobile, vibrates by his computer. In the background, DANIEL is asleep on the fold-out bed.

HONEY, fully dressed, sits on the edge of the bed reading a text message on her mobile, smiles. She walks to pick up the vibrating mobile, sees on the table the magazine:

ART NOW with the photo of herself being arrested and the text ART OR EXPLOITATION?

The smile disappears from her face.

A LITTLE LATER

HONEY emerges from the bathroom - dressed, drying her hair. DANIEL has his hands filled with the sheets from his bed and Honey's blue teddy bear. HONEY - nervous, tentative - picks up the ART NOW magazine.

HONEY
Does this come out in Western Australia?

DANIEL (nods)
Yes, but don't worry about it. It's…

HONEY
I need to tell you something. About me. (A BEAT) Maybe you should sit down!

DANIEL (grins)
You're actually a boy?

HONEY smiles, shakes her head, is about to continue when the door opens. HELEN stands there in the doorway - mouth open. She takes in scenario: 

DANIEL with teddy bear, HONEY drying her hair - walks back out the door, slamming it behind her.

264 INT. FACTORY FOYER. DAY

HELEN runs through the foyer. DANIEL chases her.

DANIEL
Helen, please…

JASPER runs from the front door towards HELEN. 

JASPER
The police!

HELEN stops. DANIEL slows. At the front entrance they see:

TWO POLICEMEN and one POLICEWOMAN standing in the doorway.
HONEY runs up behind DANIEL, sees the police; stops. HELEN, DANIEL and JASPER all turn to look at HONEY - asking, with their eyes, “What's going on?”

HONEY
Last night, I was with…

The POLICE start to walk towards them

HELEN (sotto voce)
Honey, you don't have to say anything. Nothing. OK?

265 INT. POLICE STATION. DAY

DANIEL signs bail forms and counts money out on the counter. REBECCA stands by HONEY closeby. HELEN, lips pursed, arms crossed, on the other side of the room, is furious.

266 EXT. POLICE STATION. DAY

As HONEY, DANIEL, HELEN and REBECCA walk from the police station:

REBECCA
You know what 'armed robbery' would get you if you were an adult? Ten years! There would be no bail!

JASPER, standing by the family SUV, looks on from a distance as REBECCA berates HONEY.

267 INT. CAR. DAY

HELEN drives - DANIEL in the driver's seat, HONEY is in the back seat, alongside
JASPER.

HELEN
I want the truth. No bullshit.

HONEY nods. JASPER takes HONEY'S hand, holds it tight.

HELEN
Did you fuck Daniel?

HONEY shakes her head. HELEN looks at DANIEL for confirmation. DANIEL shakes his head. JASPER'S eyes dart hither and thither as she registers the complicated interpersonal dynamics.

HONEY
Daniel's like my dad.

HELEN
Jesus, Honey! He's not your fucking dad.

268 INT. CAR/EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOUSE. DAY

As they pull up outside Daniel and Helen's house, HONEY sees the 4WD with Channel 6 written on the side pulling up across the road. She speaks fast - to DANIEL.

HONEY
You know you said one there was nothing I could say that would shock you.

HONEY casts a quick look at JASPER. Both DANIEL and HELEN notice. JASPER turns bright red. A FILM CREW is out of the car now and making their way towards them.

HONEY
Well there is something…

HONEY is cut off by a REPORTER'S shouted question:

REPORTER
Mr. Pearson, how long have you known Honeysuckle Williams' true identity?

DANIEL opens the car door, places his hand over the CAMERAMAN'S lens, pushes past him. DANIEL turns to HONEY - out of the car now, along with HELEN and
JASPER.

DANIEL
What's he talking about?

HONEY turns white, looks briefly at JASPER, who turns her head away. HELEN observes this interchange.

HELEN
Jasper, do you know…?

HONEY
I made her promise not to tell.

DANIEL
Not tell what?

HONEY
My name's Catherine. And I'm not 16. I'm 20.

269 INT. DINING ROOM. EVENING

DANIEL, HELEN, HONEY and JASPER  watch the TV. Onscreen:

REPORTER (voice off)
What do you think of your husband bailing out a criminal with a record as long as your arm?

HELEN, on TV, standing outside their home, looks from DANIEL to HONEY - too shocked to reply.

DANIEL, HELEN, HONEY and JASPER  watch the TV with levels of shock appropriate to their character.

NEWS READER
One of Catherine's friends from Perth was not surprised when she heard that Miss Jones had been passing herself off as a 16 year old.

A TEENAGE GIRL appears onscreen.

TEENAGE GIRL
Me and Katy was in detention together heaps. She's got a record as long as my *****ing arm. The Queen of Con they called her in juvenile detention. One of those liars, what do you call them? Path…something.

INTERVIEWER
Pathological liar?

JASPER sees something through the window, walks over to it, turns back to the others:

JASPER
The police…

270 EXT. FRONT DOOR. DAY

DANIEL appears in the doorway. The same TWO POLICEMEN and POLICEWOMAN as before are standing there. Behind them, in the street, is a small contingent of JOURNALISTS, CAMERAMEN, etc.

POLICEMAN
Sorry, mate, but we've got a new warrant…in her proper name. (A BEAT) And age.

DANIEL nods, looks back to HELEN, arms folded, shaking her head in a mixture of shock and disapproval. JASPER moves to HONEY and hugs her. HONEY turns to HELEN - contrite.

HONEY
I'm sorry Helen.

HELEN nods but won't look at HONEY. HONEY walks to the door. The POLICEWOMAN moves to take HONEY'S arm. DANIEL gestures to her that it is not necessary. He takes HONEY'S hand.
JASPER, at the front door watches DANIEL and HONEY walk  towards the waiting media, ignoring the questions shouted at them.

271 INT. HOSPITAL WARD. DAY

A young girl's hand takes wilting red roses from a vase.

JASPER, wilted flowers in her hand, looks at GRANT, dozing in the bed beside her; tubes in his nose; his body connected to various life-support devises.

DANIEL, alongside HONEY, hands a new bunch of red roses to JASPER. As she places them in the vase, GRANT opens his eyes.

GRANT
Hello Jasper.

JASPER
Hi.

JASPER leans over, kisses him on the cheek.

GRANT
Beautiful as ever.

GRANT looks at the roses, smiles, looks at DANIEL, then HONEY. JASMIN appears in the doorway, flowers in hand.

GRANT
Daniel…Honey…

GRANT looks at HONEY for along moment, holds out his hand, beckons her.

JASMIN watches as HONEY walks up, takes GRANT’S hand. JASPER sees JASMIN, beams her a huge smile.

GRANT
Daniel's told me about you and your angels. (A BEAT) Don't be in too much of a hurry to meet them.

CLOSE ON HONEY.

GRANT (voice over)
The angels will wait. They've got all the time in the world.

272 INT. YOUNG HONEY'S BEDROOM

CLOSE ON YOUNG HONEY looking out the window at:

CAROL, a can of petrol in her hands, splashes it around the shed.

YOUNG HONEY looks on from the window, puzzled, as CAROL:

…sits in the middle of the shed, visible through the window, picks up the can of petrol, pours the remainder of it over her head, sits for a moment, takes out a packet of matches.

YOUNG HONEY, aware now that her mother is about to set herself alight, screams.

YOUNG HONEY
No!

CAROL, a lit match in her fingers, looks up towards YOUNG HONEY. There is madness in her eyes.

HONEY turns, runs from the room.

273 INT. STAIRS. NIGHT

YOUNG HONEY runs downstairs.

274 EXT. YARD. NIGHT

YOUNG HONEY runs across the yard towards the shed - CAROL visible through a window staring at the lit match, mesmerized.

YOUNG HONEY
No, mummy.

275 INT. SHED. NIGHT

CAROL looks up from the burning match to where YOUNG HONEY stands in the doorway, staring at her as though she does not recognize her. She looks back at the lit match in her hands, moves it slowly towards her body.

YOUNG HONEY throws herself at her CAROL’S arm, knocking the lit match from her hand. Almost immediately petrol soaked furniture catches light and quick as a flash the fire spreads. YOUNG HONEY grabs hold of CAROL, drags her to the door and outside. CAROL screams.

CAROL
No, No, no…I want to go and live with the angels.

CAROL wrestles with YOUNG HONEY - trying to free herself, run back into the fire. YOUNG HONEY grabs hold of two fist fulls of her mother's hair and won't let go. CAROL'S screaming carries over to:

276 INT. GRANNY FLAT. NIGHT

HONEY, her face pale, sweating profusely, lies with her head in HELEN'S lap, crying. HELEN strokes her hair, fights back the tears in her own eyes.

HONEY
She's never forgiven me.

HELEN
You saved her life. That was the right thing to do.

HONEY
But she wanted to go and be with the angels.

HELEN
But she's…

HONEY
Mad…Madder than me. Much. I just want to look after her, but...she won't let me.

HELEN
Maybe she doesn't want to fuck your life up. Be a burden.

HONEY
That's a beautiful lie, Helen but…lies have caused me nothing but trouble and they reckon the truth sets you free, ay?

HELEN
I'm not sure it does, Honey.

HONEY
Then what does?

HELEN shakes her head.

HELEN
Fucked if I know. Love maybe…

HONEY (smiles)
Love maybe…

HELEN
Where's your mother now?

HONEY
A boarding house in Perth. Most of the time. Sometimes, when she forgets her medication, she winds up in ward 5 for a few days. (A BEAT) That's where she met John. He's mad too, but he took care of me…

277 EXT. COURT. DAY

HONEY, DANIEL, HELEN and JASPER walk towards the entrance to  the court - outside of which awaits a media scrum. HELEN leans close to HONEY.

HELEN (sotto voce)
Lie, deny, say nothing! Whatever you do, don't tell them the truth, OK? Promise. (A BEAT) Honey!

278 INT. COURT. DAY

COURTNEY is in the witness box. 

PROSECUTOR 
Miss Simpson, you told the arresting officers… 

To one side of COURTNEY, in the dock, sits HONEY.

PROSECUTOR
…that Miss Thomas, also known as Honey Williams, was in the car with you that night.

DANIEL, HELEN, JASPER and REBECCA are in the court room.

COURTNEY
Yes.

PROSECUTOR
But in your signed statement you claim that she was not with you.

COURTNEY
Yes.

PROSECUTOR
And you will be aware that Simon Tremblow… Simmo… also insists that Miss Thomas was not in the car that night.

COURTNEY (nods)
Honey…I knew Catherine wanted to be locked up and…

PROSECUTOR
You thought she'd appreciate you… dobbing her in?
LATER

A YOUTH WORKER is in the witness box.

YOUTH WORKER
I told her it wasn't a holiday camp.

The JUDGE sighs, looks at the PROSECUTOR.

JUDGE
Do you wish to call any more witnesses?

PROSECUTOR
No, your Honour.

HONEY
What about me?

JUDGE
Is there something you'd like to tell the court?

HONEY looks to DANIEL and HELEN. HELEN shakes her head. HONEY looks at the JUDGE, nods.

A LITTLE LATER

HONEY has her hand resting on a bible.

JUDGE
You do understand the importance of telling the truth, Miss Thomas?

HONEY
The truth shall set you free, eh! 

The JUDGE looks over the top of his spectacles at HONEY.

HONEY
So help me God.

PROSECUTOR
Can you tell the court anything about the events leading up to and surrounding the attempted armed robbery of the chemist?

HONEY
Yes, it was my idea. I got Simmo to write the note. He didn't want to do it. Nor did Courtney. But I...

JUDGE
Miss Thomas, one of your 'friends' described you as a 'pathological liar', isn't that correct?

HONEY
Yes, but, this time I'm not lying.

JUDGE
Isn't that what a 'pathological liar' would say if she was hoping to get herself locked up?

HONEY
Maybe, but I don't want to be locked up anymore. But I also want to tell the truth and…

JUDGE
Miss Thomas, I suggest that it would be in your own best interests, in this instance, to say no more…

HONEY
But…

279 INT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOME. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

DANIEL, glass of champagne in hand, proposes a toast.

DANIEL
 “The truth shall set you free.”

HELEN, JASPER, HONEY and JASMIN - seated around the dining table (first course completed) - laugh, raise their glasses.

EVERYONE
“The truth shall set you free.”

JASMIN has Honey's journal open in front of her.

HONEY
When I lie everyone believes me! When I tell the truth the Judge thinks I'm lying.

HELEN stands, collects dishes as JASMIN turns a page and bursts out laughing.

CLOSE ON:

A caricature of Daniel.

JASMIN holds it up for all to see. Everyone laughs.

280 INT. KITCHEN. NIGHT

HELEN places a jug, desert plates, spoons and forks on a tray, glances back into the Dining Room where she sees:

JASMIN turning a page of Honey's journal, reacting with shock to what she reads there. JASMIN looks up, tries to catch DANIEL'S attention with her eyes.

HELEN freezes, thinks for a moment, composes herself, picks up the tray, walks back into the Dining Room, places the tray on the table as JASMIN hands the journal back to HONEY.

281 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN empties her glass of wine, lights the chafing dish with a long match. Her eyes are on Honey's journal. With the happiest smile she can muster:

HELEN
Can I get a copy of the caricature of Daniel?

HELEN holds out her hand.

HONEY
Of course!

HONEY hands her the journal, smiles at DANIEL. HELEN  flips pages, arrives at the caricature, keeps flipping until she finds the page she is interested in.

JASMIN turns pale. DANIEL wonders what is going on. Suddenly, the tension at the table is palpable. HELEN reads, her face hardening into a mask.

HELEN
Anyone else have any secrets they'd like to share tonight? Daniel? Jasmin?
A look of horror crosses JASMIN'S face.

HELEN
Lying is not an option tonight, Jasmin. “The truth shall set you free.”

JASPER turns to HONEY angrily.

JASPER
You wrote it in your diary? Duh!

DANIEL
Wrote what?

HELEN
Jasmin is just about to tell us, aren't you, Jasmin?

HELEN glares at DANIEL. 

HELEN
Or maybe you'd would like to share yours and Jasmin's little secret with us…darling!?

DANIEL
There is no secret.

HELEN
Fucking Jasmin's not a secret! Excuse me! Am I the only one who doesn't know it?

DANIEL
We did not…

HELEN cuts DANIEL off, turns on JASMIN angrily.

HELEN
I thought you were my friend!

JASMIN
We didn't fuck, Helen. We didn't make love. We didn't…

HELEN
Kiss? Yes? No?

DANIEL and JASMIN'S silence speaks volumes. 

HELEN
Get the fuck out of my house. Both of you.

JASPER
Mum…!

DANIEL
Yes, we kissed.

HELEN
With your eyes open?

DANIEL and JASMIN exchange glances. 

HELEN
Go!

HELEN throws a plate at DANIEL. It hits the wall, shatters.

JASPER
Mum, stop it…

HELEN  holds her hands up to quieten JASPER. DANIEL walks up to HELEN in hopes of placating her. She steps back from him.

HELEN
Just go. 

JASPER
Mum, don't do this…

HELEN
Oh, it's me doing this, is it Jasper!? If you want to take your father's side, fine! I don't give a fuck!

JASPER
But…

DANIEL signals to JASPER to stop. JASPER bursts into tears and runs out the front door.

HONEY looks on, distressed, moves to pick up pieces of broken plate.

HELEN stares into space; seems not to notice JASMIN or HONEY.

A LITTLE LATER

HELEN pours herself half a tumbler of Brandy, takes a gulp, looks through the front door to where HONEY sits on the front step talking on her mobile phone. She turns to JASMIN.

HELEN
Why are you still here?

JASMIN
I want to tell you something.

HELEN
I don't want to hear it.

JASMIN
I'm not going to lie to you, promise.

HELEN
I want you to lie to me! (A BEAT) The truth is too hard…

JASMIN walks up to HELEN, takes her by the hand, leads her to the white 'leather' couch.

JASMIN
Daniel and me…

HELEN covers her ears. JASMIN uncovers them.

282 INT. DANIEL'S STUDIO. DAY

DANIEL sits in front of his computer. He has been using photoshop to 'touch up' the photo of Jasmin, but has turned and now faces JASMIN, sitting beside him. They are listening to Tim Buckely's 'Sweet Surrender'. This is a flashback.

TIM BUCKLY (sings)
“Sweet surrender, surrender. If we could just surrender”

JASMIN
I wish, I wish, I wish…

DANIEL
What?

JASMIN
That I could surrender.

DANIEL
Surrender what?

JASMIN
My heart, my soul…to the man I love.

DANIEL
Who's the lucky man?

JASMIN
I'm still waiting! He's running a bit late. (DANIEL LAUGHS) And you?

DANIEL
She arrived just in time.

JASMIN smiles, looks at DANIEL for a long moment.

JASMIN
Have you? Surrendered?

DANIEL hesitates for a moment, then shakes his head.

JASMIN
And Helen?

DANIEL shakes his head. JASMIN looks at him quizzically.

DANIEL
We're both a bit scared.

JASMIN
Of?

DANIEL looks into JASMIN'S eyes for a long moment.

DANIEL
Saying 'yes', I guess. For better, for worse, for richer for poorer... bla, bla bla…

JASMIN nods, smiles, looks away, becomes shy, vulnerable, looks back at DANIEL.

DANIEL'S and JASMIN'S kiss starts tentatively but soon becomes passionate. They both keep their eyes open - each with one eye just millimeters from one eye of the other.

JASMIN
Helen is a lucky girl.

DANIEL
Daniel is a lucky boy.

JASMIN smiles, nods.

JASMIN
That never happened.

DANIEL nods, smiles.

283 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN looks at JASMIN for a long moment, tears in her eyes.

HELEN
Why is it so difficult to say 'yes'?

JASMIN shakes her head.

JASMIN
I wish I knew!

HONEY (voice off)
Because…

HELEN and JASMIN become aware of HONEY standing behind them.

HONEY
…you open your heart so wide when you say 'yes'…your heart breaks when all you get back is… 'no'.

HELEN
Why does Daniel talk to you about his heart, to both of you…and not to me?

HONEY
Why do you talk with me about things you don't talk to Daniel about?

HELEN looks at HONEY in shock - the relevance of what she is saying sinking in slowly. The sound of a car horn breaks the silence. HONEY picks up her backpack.

HONEY moves forward, kisses HELEN on the cheek, hands her a small parcel wrapped in colourful paper.

HONEY
Just a little…something…

HELEN, still in something of a daze, looks at the parcel.

HONEY
Thank you for everything. See ya Jasmin.

JASMIN
Take care of yourself, Honey. Don't be a stranger.

HONEY nods, glances at HELEN briefly, walks out the door.

HELEN and JASMIN look at each other. HELEN looks at the present in her hands.
Only now does it register for her that Honey has gone.

She leaps to her feet, rushes to the front door to see John's blue car driving off up the street.

284 EXT. STREET OUTSIDE DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOUSE

A taxi pulls up. JASMIN opens the door, turns back to HELEN, standing beside her.

JASMIN
You going to be okay?

HELEN
Is okay enough?

JASMIN wraps her arms around HELEN, hugs her.

285 INT. JOHN'S CAR. NIGHT

JOHN drives. HONEY, in the passenger seat, stares out the front window, tears in her eyes.

JOHN, registers HONEY'S distress, takes a vial of pills out of his pocket, tosses them to HONEY. She catches them, looks at the vial, unscrews the cap.

286 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN looks at Honey's present. She opens it. Inside there is a CD and four cellophane packets with violin strings in them. HELEN stares at them for a long moment.

287 INT. STUDIO LOFT. NIGHT

JASPER sits with her back to the wall on Daniel's futon.

DANIEL, Jasper's Illustrated Biblical stories in his hands (he has been reading to her) sits beside her.

JASPER
Mum really does love you.

DANIEL
I know.

JASPER
Almost as much as me.

DANIEL laughs, takes JASPER in his arms, hugs her tight. JASPER'S face breaks into a radiant smile.

288 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

The room is empty. Violin music plays on the CD deck. Moving into the room we see half a dozen small goblets of different coloured liqueurs. The camera moves to the water damaged photo albums spread out on the white 'leather' sofa. Resting on one is an almost empty glass of Brandy.

HONEY sits on the sofa, picks up a photo album, looks at:

A photo of YOUNG HELEN, (9), violin tucked between her neck shoulder, smiling happily for the camera.

HONEY looks up, sees HELEN walk into the room. 

HONEY
Couldn't leave without having one last crepe, ay!

HELEN smiles.

HONEY
Perfectly symmetrical, please.

HELEN  laughs.

A LITTLE LATER

HELEN drinks a small goblet of red liqueur.

HELEN
Want a green one or a red one?

HONEY looks at the small goblets of liqueur.

HONEY
One of each!

HELEN smiles, unscrews the top of the kerosene bottle, starts to fill the base of the chafing dish.

289 INT. DANIEL'S 'LOFT'. NIGHT

DANIEL and JASPER lie together on the futon - JASPER'S head on DANIEL'S chest. They both have their eyes open.

DANIEL
You thinking the same as me?

JASPER nods.

290 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN, more than a little drunk, dances around the room playing an imaginary violin in tune with the up tempo violin music playing on the CD. HONEY dances with her.

HONEY
To beautiful lies!

HONEY and HELEN pick up glasses of liqueur, toss them back.

HELEN
To beautiful crepes! Symmetrical lies.

HELEN laughs, lights a long match.

291 EXT. OLD FACTORY. NIGHT

DANIEL kick starts his Harley. JASPER puts on a crash helmet.

292 INT. DINING ROOM NIGHT

HELEN splashes Brandy straight from the bottle into the flambé pan. Flames leap up. HONEY looks on, excited.

HELEN splashes more Brandy into the pan. The flames leap higher. HELEN laughs; HONEY is mesmerized.

HELEN sloshes a large amount of Brandy into the flambé dish. There is an explosion of flames  - the fire backing up to the bottle itself and igniting the fumes in it in a small explosion.

HELEN drops the bottle. Brandy sprays onto the carpet, the white 'leather' couch, igniting as it goes.

293 EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT

DANIEL drives his motor bike. JASPER clings on the back.

294 INT DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HELEN looks to her photo albums, arranged on the table by the burning 'leather' couch - in the early (and not particularly dangerous) stages of a fire.

She makes her way over to them, piles them on top of each other and turns to rush from the increasingly smoky room. She bumps into the edge of the table in her panic and knocks over the bottle of kerosene.

Kerosene spills from the bottle onto the table and then the floor but does not, at this stage, come into contact with any flame.

295 INT KITCHEN. NIGHT

HONEY stands in the smoky kitchen - mobile phone in hand.

HONEY
Daniel, pick up. Please…

There is a flash of light in the doorway. The kerosene has ignited.

296 EXT. CITY STREET. NIGHT

JASPER smiles happily as the wind whips the hair around her face. DANIEL is driving fast. He leans the Harley over as he takes a corner. The foot rest catches the bitumen, sends up a flurry of sparks. JASPER laughs gleefully.

297 INT. DINING ROOM. NIGHT

HONEY rushes into the room. HELEN is sprawled on the floor -photo albums spread on the carpet in front of her. The fire is serious now. HONEY helps HELEN to her feet, drags her towards the kitchen door. HELEN looks back at her photo albums.

HELEN
My photos!

HELEN pulls free of HONEY, rushes back to her photo albums.

298 EXT. CITY STREETS. NIGHT

CLOSE on a footrest scraping the bitumen'; sending up an explosion of sparks.

CLOSE on JASPER laughing as DANIEL leans into yet another curve, driving fast.

Up ahead:

A fire engine. The glow of a fire in the distance

DANIEL overtakes the fire engine - siren blaring, red lights flashing. Concern shows in is face.

299 EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOUSE. NIGHT

DANIEL and JASPER arrive a little ahead of the Fire Engine, get off the motor bike and run towards the house. There is no sign on Helen or Honey. JASPER screams.

HELEN and HONEY emerge from the front door - coughing and spluttering.

DANIEL and JASPER rush forward, hug them both. DANIEL turns, sees the Fire Engine pulling up, runs to greet the FIREMEN.

HELEN and JASPER look back at the Fire Engine for a moment also and do not notice that HONEY is staring at the fire -mesmerized.

As FIREMEN spill from the Fire Engine HONEY starts to walk towards the front door of the burning house - picking up pace as she goes. By the time HELEN and JASPER turn back to the fire HONEY is almost at the front door.

HELEN
Honey! No.

HELEN runs after HONEY. DANIEL turns, sees HONEY running now to the front door. He takes off after her.

DANIEL
Honey, stop...

As HONEY disappears in through the front door, HELEN can see that DANIEL intends to follow her. She intercepts him, grabs hold of him.

HELEN
No.

DANIEL struggles to free himself from HELEN. JASPER screams.

TWO FIREMEN can see what is going on and rush to the front door. They take one look at the flames and decide not to go inside.

DANIEL breaks free of HELEN, arrives at the front door and tries to get past the FIREMEN. They block his entrance.

FIREMAN
No, mate…

JASPER runs into HELEN'S arms. HELEN holds JASPER tight - both of them crying, hysterical.

JASPER (voice over)
There was nothing anyone could do. Honey had gone to meet her angels.

300 INT. CHURCH. DAY

JASPER sits between DANIEL and HELEN in the church. The PRIEST waves the thurible over the coffin.

JASPER (voice over)
At least that's what we thought as we stood there, helpless…but God was in that fire and he had his plans for Honey…

CLOSE ON the coffin.

JASPER (voice over)
Just like he did for Shadrach, Meshach and Abedigo.

The shot of the coffin tilts down to reveal, resting up against it, Daniel's portrait of Grant - his eyes blazing.

301 EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN'S HOUSE. NIGHT

JASPER, clinging tightly to HELEN, watches the house burn - all three in deep shock. Suddenly JASPER screams:

JASPER
Honey!

Behind an upstairs window, surrounded by fire, is HONEY.

301 INT. HALLWAY. DANIEL AND HELEN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

HONEY, clutching something wrapped in a blanket, runs from the window to the top of the stairs. They are on fire. She is trapped.

302 EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

HELEN and JASPER are screaming; hysterical. DANIEL helps the FIREMEN get a ladder from the side of the Fire Engine.

303 INT. HALLWAY. NIGHT

HONEY, seemingly mesmerized, stares into the flames leaping up the stairway. She snaps out of it, runs to a window -through which can be seen, in the distance, DANIEL, JASPER and HELEN.

She tries to open it. She can't. It is locked. The heat is getting to her. She is surrounded by flames now. She looks around for some escape route. Her eyes fall on the ornate antique chair.

304 EXT. DANIEL AND HELEN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

HELEN and JASPER watch in panic as DANIEL and the FIREMEN run towards the wall with a ladder. The whole house is consumed with flames now.

The upstairs window shatters. In slow motion the ornate antique chair flies through the air. A moment later HONEY climbs onto the window sill, clutching something wrapped in the blanket.

CLOSE on HONEY, framed by fire. She looks back to the fire, looks down, closes her eyes and jumps.

She falls, in slow motion, into the arms of DANIEL and a FIREMAN - losing hold of the blanket-wrapped object in her arms.

HELEN and JASPER greet HONEY with hugs, kisses, tears.

They watch the fire for a moment - all in various stages of shock. HONEY'S hair is singed and she has some minor burns.

An AMBULANCE OFFICER rushes up to attend to HONEY.

A LITTLE LATER

HONEY sits at the back of an ambulance as the AMBULANCE OFFICER dresses burns  on her arm. HONEY looks at:

HELEN and JASPER watching the fire as DANIEL talks to a FIREMAN nearby.

JASPER turns, starts to walk back towards HONEY and the ambulance.

HONEY takes out her mobile phone.

DANIEL rejoins HELEN and for a moment they look at the fire.

HELEN starts crying. DANIEL wraps his arms around her.

HELEN looks back to where HONEY sits behind the ambulance, mobile phone to her ear.

HELEN
She risked her life for my silly photos.

HELEN smiles through her tears. DANIEL brushes them away. HELEN looks at the house on fire - the FIREMEN now with hoses  playing on it.

HELEN
Haven't got a secret stash of marshmellows, I suppose!

DANIEL smiles, kisses HELEN lightly on the lips. They look at each - deep into each others eyes.

With flames leaping in the background DANIEL moves to kiss HELEN again - his eyes wide open. They kiss - their eyes locked on each others.

HONEY, mobile at her ear, waits nervously. In the background JASPER stops alongside the object wrapped in a blanket.

HONEY
Mum…?

There is no response.

HONEY
I'm coming home, mum. A BEAT) I'm going to take care of you. (A BEAT) I love you.
There is a long moment's silence.

HONEY'S MOTHER
Yes, come home darling. It’s time for you to come home. Yes.(A BEAT) what's your name these days?

HONEY(smiles)
Honey.

HONEY'S MOTHER
Honey.

JASPER finishes unwrapping the blanket. We do not see what is inside it. She smiles, shakes her head in amazement, looks back to the ambulance, sees HONEY talking animatedly on her mobile - her face beaming with the happiest smile. 

JASPER looks down at Helen's battered violin case. She opens it and takes out Helen's violin - newly strung.

THE END

1 comment:

  1. Great screenplay, James, but I think you'd be better off shooting it with the Sony Xperia Z3 D6633 4G Dual Copper LTE. Better images than the Samsung. Good luck with it.

    ReplyDelete