Ó Jane Young 2003 The Gift
The Gift
OPENING CREDITS:
FLASHBACK
1. EXT. CONVENIENCE STORE – DAY.
A child on a bicycle wearing a striped sweater sucks on a lollipop and investigates a bag of sweets while her mother, a harassed woman in her early thirties, prepares to ride off on her own bicycle with a younger toddler harnessed into a rear safety seat.
The older child, a cute young thing with ringlets, drops her bag of sweets and begins to cry. The mother props her bicycle up against the kerb outside the shop and leaves it unattended in order to help her daughter pick up the sweets.
As the child and her mother gather them up the bike topples and falls into the road with the toddler still on board - just as a lorry is approaching. The mother can do nothing more than scream out loud as the lorry ploughs into the bike and the fallen toddler.
WE HEAR the sound of the lorry trying too late to brake.
CUT TO:
2. INT. CINDY’S BEDROOM. CINDY’S HOME – DAY.
CINDY wakes in a panic, the nightmare vision of the toddler being run over, still before her.
WE HEAR the sound of a lorry passing by her window.
CINDY is young, in her late twenties and has a girlish quality. Even if she is hard as nails and crude to boot. The term ‘common as muck’ springs to mind.
CUT TO:
3. INT. BATHROOM. CINDY’S HOME – DAY.
Her pants around her ankles, street alley-cat CINDY is on the toilet. With the door open.
CINDY
Shit. Why the fuck is there never any bog roll in this house? I suppose I’ll have to wait till I get to work to take a crap.
CUT TO:
4. INT. KITCHEN. CINDY’S HOME – DAY.
In the middle of making breakfast in her cluttered council house kitchen CINDY finds time to write a scrabbled letter.
In walks POPPY, a pretty eight-year-old with long untidy hair and a worldly air.
POPPY
Skid says there’s no milk left.
CINDY
Well tell him to go and bloody well get some.
POPPY
What are you doing?
CINDY
Writing a letter.
POPPY
Who to?
CINDY
Never you mind. Is he still on the play station?
POPPY
When isn’t he?
CINDY
Tell him to go get some milk. He’s the one that used it all.
POPPY exits.
VO POPPY
Mum says you’d better bloody well go get some milk.
Smiling as if proud of her daughter’s swearing CINDY finishes her letter, then hesitates as to whether to finish it off anonymously or put her name to it. In the end she prints her name. WE SEE that the envelope is addressed to a TAMSIN CARTER.
CUT TO:
5. INT. LOTTO/CIGS COUNTER. 24 HOUR TESCO – DAY.
Wearing an unflattering uniform with her long dark hair braided into two plaits CINDY sells cigarettes, newspapers and lotto tickets for a living. She likes her job but doesn’t always like her customers. Her casual attitude makes this obvious. With her is friend and work colleague HEIDI, a plump sexy piece with shocking red hair and a low IQ.
In between chatting they serve customers – some easily offended by their topic of conversation and lack of service.
HEIDI
You still coming out tonight then or what?
CINDY
If Skid will baby-sit.
HEIDI
He hasn’t got a job yet I take it
CINDY
Why would he when he can sponge off me. Where are we meant to be going?
HEIDI
Champs - women get in free on Friday nights.
Oh come on it’ll be fun and Romeo might be there. Besides I could do with the money.
CINDY
You’re not still pulling off that abortion scam.
HEIDI
Sleep with them once and then hit ‘em with a fake pregnancy. £500 quid in me pocket every time.
CINDY
What does Clive have to say about it?
HEIDI
Having a hubby is crucial to the plan. It scares the shit out of all the potential fathers. Bless them.
CINDY
You’re all heart you.
CINDY
You’re not exactly Snow White yourself Cindy.
(glancing at newspaper)
Hey have you heard about the latest rape? A girl’s not safe anymore.
CINDY
I don’t read the papers.
HEIDI
Oh yeah that’s right. You don’t watch the news either do you?
A CUSTOMER boldly interrupts them.
CUSTOMER
Evening Telegraph please.
CINDY hands the newspaper to the CUSTOMER and is unable to avoid seeing the blazing headline ‘RAPIST STRIKES AGAIN’.
CUT TO:
FLASHBACK
6. EXT. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
WE SEE the hazy image of a dangerous stranger. It is the RAPIST spying on girls going into the nightclub – as if pondering who his next victim will be.
He pulls the fake fur hood of his parka over his head. And we see just a glimpse of an unshaven face.
CUT TO:
7. INT. LOTTO/CIGS COUNTER. 24 HOUR TESCO – DAY.
Back to the present and the CUSTOMER is still waiting for his change. CINDY is in a world of her own – thinking about the image she has just seen.
CUSTOMER
You didn’t give me any change.
CINDY
(slamming money down on counter)
Sorry.
CUT TO:
8. INT. LIVING ROOM. CINDY’S HOME – NIGHT.
SKID, an unkempt lazy sort with hair in dreadlocks, plays on the play-station while CINDY’S father JACK watches agitatedly from an armchair. The men ignore each other.
Both are heavy smokers and the room is full of cigarette smoke. Meanwhile CINDY’S two children POPPY and JACK JR. (five) play on the floor. They are complete opposites, the first being dark like her mother, the second very fair.
CINDY arrives home from work and comes into the living room.
JACK JR.
Mummy.
The children rush toward CINDY, pleased to see her.
CINDY
(wafting smoke)
Christ it’s like a crematorium in here.
(to Jack)
Cup of tea?
JACK
First offer I’ve had and I’ve been here an hour already.
CINDY
Oh don’t start dad.
CINDY goes into the kitchen and puts the kettle on – bites into a doughnut. JACK follows.
JACK
Just what is it with you and that loser anyway? He does nothing all day except play stupid kid’s games.
CINDY
How’s mum?
JACK
Same as usual, you know your mother. But don’t change the subject.
CINDY
Skid baby-sits for free so I get to go to work and earn a living. So unless you and mum are going to take the kids for me I don’t see I’m left with any choice.
JACK
Alright Cindy. Alright, no need to rub it in. If it were up to me…
CINDY
But it’s not so do me a favour dad and shut the fuck up.
JACK
Where did you get that filthy mouth from that’s what I want to know? It’s not as if your mother or I swear.
CINDY
Oh for God’s sake, they’re only words. Words can’t hurt you.
JACK
And what’s with the name Skid anyway?
CINDY empties the washing machine.
CINDY
If you had to wash his dirty underpants you wouldn’t need to ask. Besides you can talk - you and mum named me after a doll.
JACK hands CINDY a twenty-pound note.
CINDY
What’s this for?
JACK
The kids tell me you’re off out tonight. But whatever you do don’t let on to your mother, you know what she’s like with money.
CUT TO:
9. INT. CINDY’S BEDROOM. CINDY’S HOME – NIGHT.
Sitting on the floor in front of a large mirror CINDY is doing her make up. Next to her sit POPPY and JACK JR.
CINDY
Mascara.
JACK JR. passes the mascara to POPPY who in turn passes it to CINDY.
CINDY
Blusher.
The process is repeated.
CINDY
Lipstick. (long pause) Lipstick.
WE SEE that JACK JR. still has possession of the lipstick and has plastered it all over his face.
They laugh.
CINDY
Give it here. You little shit. What are you?
JACK JR.
A little shit.
CUT TO:
10. INT. CHILDREN’S BEDROOM. CINDY’S HOME – NIGHT.
It is a little later. CINDY is ready for her night on the town. Wearing a red off the shoulder gypsy dress with a plastic red rose in her loose hair.
She is tucking the children up in bed. First she kisses POPPY.
POPPY
You look sexy mummy, like Britney Spears.
Next she kisses JACK JR.
CINDY
Now behave yourself young man or Mr Naughty will bang on the wall.
POPPY laughs in a dismissive way - not so JACK JR. who is truly fearful.
JACK JR.
Is there really such a thing?
CINDY
You’d better believe it.
CUT TO:
11. INT. LIVING ROOM. CINDY’S HOME – NIGHT.
SKID is still playing on the play-station when CINDY comes into the room, ready for the off. He does not look up.
CINDY
(doing a twirl)
How do I look?
SKID only grunts.
SKID
Got any money?
CINDY
What for?
SKID
Thought I’d order a curry.
CINDY
There’s twenty. And make sure you save me some. I’m always starving after a night out.
SKID pockets the cash without another word.
CUT TO:
12. EXT. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
CINDY and HEIDI have arrived at the club. It is raining and the two women awkwardly run in their high heels toward the entrance.
CINDY
Wait for me you old slapper.
PAN: On a street corner WE SEE a glimpse of the same dangerous stranger from before. The RAPIST - wearing the parka with the fake fur hood. Unseen he watches the two women go in.
CUT TO:
13. INT. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
CINDY and HEIDI are at the packed bar ordering drinks – HEIDI greedily eyeing up the talent. She then nudges CINDY a little too obviously.
HEIDI
He’s here. Romeo. The man of your dreams.
WE SEE a nice looking young man with sandy hair and a pleasant physique standing alone at the other side of the bar. He has a fresh boy-next-door quality. His name is HUGH.
HUGH notices CINDY and smiles at her. CINDY looks behind her as if to check he is smiling her way before responding.
HEIDI
Did you see that? He was definitely looking.
Then an attractive if heavily made up blonde wearing extremely tight trousers and a halter neck top approaches HUGH. He is whisked off to dance but not before smiling apologetically at CINDY.
HEIDI
Whore. You can practically see her luncheon meat in those trousers. Why don’t you ask him for a dance later?
CINDY
If he’s interested he’ll find his way over.
CUT TO:
14. INT. LADIES ROOM. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB - NIGHT.
It is a little later. The ladies room is full of women re-doing their make up.
CINDY and HEIDI are in next door cubicles.
VO CINDY
Oh shit.
VO HEIDI
What?
VO CINDY
I’ve only gone and wet myself again.
VO HEIDI
That’s giving birth for you. I’m just the same. My bladder’s never been right since I had Joshua.
VO CINDY
I’ll have to go knicker-less now and just hope the fluorescent lights don’t show through my dress.
VO HEIDI
You want to watch it - a cold night like this and you could end up with chapped lips.
Toilets flush and CINDY exits her cubicle at exactly the same time as HEIDI.
In walks the attractive over-made up blonde who earlier chatted HUGH up. She goes to the mirror and begins to apply lipstick - notices CINDY and HEIDI looking her up and down and stares defiantly back.
HEIDI walks deliberately into the girl.
HEIDI
Sorry didn’t see you there.
Approaching the blonde in an equally threatening manner CINDY does exactly the same. The girl is practically sandwiched between the two women.
CINDY
(laughing)
Nor me. How silly of me.
HEIDI
We must want our eyes tested.
CINDY
(to girl)
You’re not an optician by any chance?
The girl does not reply. Others leave, sensing a fight might be underway. Only CINDY, HEIDI and the girl now remain.
CINDY
Thought not. Otherwise you’d have noticed you’re wearing far too much make up.
HEIDI
Underneath that lot she’s probably got bad skin.
Wisely the girl attempts to walk away but HEIDI bars her exit for a second before letting her go. As the girl exits CINDY and HEIDI laugh.
CINDY
We are such bitches.
CUT TO:
15. INT. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
WE SEE HEIDI smooching with a bloke on the dance floor. They snog and grope hungrily.
PAN to CINDY sitting on her own, drinking a bottle of something.
A man joins CINDY at her table. He is tall and dark with olive skin and has an unshaven appearance. It is none other than the RAPIST – though CINDY doesn’t know it yet.
RAPIST
Can I get you another?
CINDY
I don’t think so.
RAPIST
That’s not quite a no then.
CINDY
No. Non. Neine. Now piss off.
CINDY doesn’t like the look of him though she doesn’t understand why. The RAPIST moves away but still hovers. She looks about for HUGH who is now dancing with some other woman.
HEIDI flounces over.
HEIDI
Well that was a complete waste of time.
CINDY
That’s not how it looked to me.
HEIDI
He’s only gone and had a vasectomy.
The women can’t help but laugh at HEIDI’S misfortune. HEIDI then spots the RAPIST smiling at them.
HEIDI
He’s cute. Looks virile too.
CINDY resigns herself to a solitary evening as HEIDI makes a dead set for the RAPIST.
CUT TO:
16. INT. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
It is late. Having fetched her coat from the cloakroom CINDY is ready to leave. A gaggle of drunken men leer and try to detain her but one withering look from her sees them quickly move aside.
TRACK to bar where HEIDI and the RAPIST are entwined together. AS CINDY approaches the RAPIST moves off
HEIDI
You off then?
CINDY
Yeah I’m done in.
HEIDI
We’re about to get off too, want us to walk you home?
CINDY
I’ll get a taxi.
The RAPIST comes back with HEIDI’S coat and while she struggles into it, slips on his own. It is a parka with a fake fur collar. Now CINDY recollects her vision and is positive she is looking at none other than the RAPIST.
CINDY
Toilets now.
HEIDI
You haven’t pissed yourself again.
CINDY physically drags her friend away.
HEIDI
(to rapist)
Don’t go anywhere squirrel I’ll be right back.
CUT TO:
17. INT. LADIES ROOM. CHAMPS NIGHTCLUB – NIGHT.
CINDY and HEIDI defiantly face each other in the otherwise empty ladies room.
HEIDI
It never bothered you before who I slept with.
CINDY
Well it does now. I’m telling you he’s bad news.
HEIDI
Since when did that matter to girls like us?
Just then WE HEAR a toilet flush. CINDY walks up to the engaged cubicle and bangs on the door.
CINDY
You in there, pull your knickers up and get the fuck out of here.
A young woman exits the cubicle terrified. She goes over to the washbasin.
CINDY
Out. I bet you never wash your hands at home after taking a piss.
The young woman exits. Alone with HEIDI, CINDY violently pushes at her friend.
CINDY
You’re not going off with him. I mean it. I’ll put your head down that bog first if I have to.
Something of a tough cookie herself HEIDI is clearly afraid of CINDY.
HEIDI
Alright. Alright. For fuck sake. Just tell me why.
CINDY
He’s the rapist.
HEIDI
What? Are you mad? I mean how could you possibly know that.
CINDY
I just do that’s all. Don’t ask me to explain because I can’t.