2. SCENE 1
FADE IN...
EXT. - CEMETERY - EARLY MORNING
We open in a field filled with gravestones. There is a
slight mist in the air.
JAMES (V/O)
"PVT. James, Upon your departure
from Helmand Province, Afghanistan,
you have been deemed unfit for
operational deployment and
therefore will be placed on medical
discharge..."
At the foot of a grave, James, 24, sits in his metal
wheelchair, wearing a beret. He has short dark hair and is
of average build.
After being paralyzed in action, he continues to read an
official letter, received from the armed forces.
JAMES
"I hereby regret to inform you that
your duty of service is no longer
required."
James scrunches up the letter in his hand. He removes his
beret and places it on the grave.
JAMES
(Holding his head in shame)
It should have been me.
SCENE 2
INT. - BEDROOM - MID-MORNING
We open in a modestly sized room which has been adapted to
accommodate James’ disability. The room is bland with pale
walls, lit slightly from the open gap of the curtains.
Mother, 49, enters the room, struggling to carry a large
cardboard box. She is of chubby build and is wearing a white
t-shirt with a cardigan on top.
MOTHER
Here’s the last of your things from
upstairs.
(CONTINUED)
3. CONTINUED: 2.
Mother places the cardboard box on the bed and begins to
empty its contents. She takes out a wooden picture frame and
places it on the bedside cabinet.
The picture is of a middle aged man, wearing full army
uniform.
MOTHER
You’re just like your Dad, Jimmy.
James sits in his wheelchair, which is positioned to be in
the center of the room, looking down at the floor.
JAMES
(Muttering)
James...
MOTHER
(Enthusiastically)
I’ve stuck your poster up on the
wall Jimmy, i know how much you
like it.
James looks around his new bedroom and glances at the
picture frame and back at his mother who continues to empty
the cardboard box.
MOTHER
Now, you can’t sit here in the
dark...
Mother pulls open the curtains, letting the light shine
through the window, brightening up the room.
MOTHER
That’s better, a bit of light never
hurt anyone, eh Jimmy?
JAMES
(Shouting)
Mum, my names James!
Mother hurriedly leaves the room, pulling the door towards a
close.
Putting the cardboard box on his lap, James pushes himself
towards the wardrobe, tossing the box and its remaining
contents into the bottom section.
Looking up, James notices a uniform and camouflaged clothing
hanging inside. He looks at the picture frame once again.
Turning back in rage, he pulls the uniform down from its
hanger.
4. 3.
SCENE 3
INT. - KITCHEN - NOON
The kitchen is quite modern and well furnished. Mother is
standing at the sink, wearing rubber gloves, washing items
of crockery.
James pushes himself in the wheelchair. From the squeaking
of the wheels, Mother turns around to see her son in the
doorway. They exchange looks.
JAMES
I’m sorry Mum...
(Pauses and takes a breath)
In the army, they called me Jimmy.
Mother leaves the crockery in the sink and walks over to
James. She bends down to his level and wraps her arms around
him.
SCENE 4
EXT. - TOWN - AFTERNOON
The town is at its busiest, with a large number of people
shopping. There are a number of stores on either side of the
street which are small and crowded.
Mother is slowly pushing James through the town in his
wheelchair. The wheels on the chair begin to squeak. On
passing, people seem to be staring at James, making him seem
small.
James’ attention seems to become fixated as he sees a
younger man walking through the town, wearing his full army
uniform.
He tries to cover his face to stop himself remembering the
war, though, the hustle and bustle of the crowds begin to
morph into war sounds.
CHARITY COLLECTOR
(Shaking charity box)
Spare some change and help our
heroes!
A young child runs past the wheelchair. He is carrying a
plastic gun and is pretending to shoot passers by, before
turning back and repeating the motion towards James.
Mother pushes James into an empty area.
(CONTINUED)
5. CONTINUED: 4.
MOTHER
James? .... James? ....
(Pause)
Jimmy?...
The war noises begin to fade away and James becomes
conscience of his surroundings again.
MOTHER
I think you need some rest.
SCENE 5.1
INT. - BEDROOM - EVENING
The curtains are drawn with a light turned on. James is in
bed. He reaches to the side for a medicine bottle containing
sleeping pills. He takes a few and swallows them with a
glass of water.
MOTHER
(Kissing James on the head)
Goodnight.
Mother leaves the room, switching the light off and pulling
the door towards a close. The room is pitch black, with the
only light source coming from the gap in the doorway.
James lies down and goes to sleep. After a few moments,
James becomes restless and begins to toss and turn in
distress.
DREAM
EXT. - FIELD - DAY
We open on a large, open field. The brightness from the sun
is almost blinding.
James is running around cautiously. He is wearing full army
uniform and is carrying an assault rifle. His face is dirty
from going prone in the soil and has freshly cut wounds to
his face.
Loud gunshots and explosions can be heard in the surrounding
area. Aiming out into the distance, James points his gun and
shoots. Before re-aiming the gun, James hears someone
calling out.
(CONTINUED)
6. CONTINUED: 5.
FRIEND (V/O)
(Shouting)
Jimmy, help! I’ve been shot!
Instinctively, James runs for cover to protect himself
before looking back to search for his friend. The sound of
gunshots begin to fade and James runs out into clear view.
The screen fades to white as a grenade explodes meters away
from James and his friend.
SCENE 5.2
INT. - BEDROOM - NIGHT
We continue to see James in bed, tossing and turning from
side to side. Waking up in shock, he sits up in a cold
sweat.
The room is still dark and after a few seconds, he begins to
feel his body for anything peculiar. Quickly pulling off the
quilt, James also checks his legs.
JAMES
(With a sigh of relief)
Thank God, it was just a dream!
James, still relieved, sits back in bed. Reaching to the
side, he turns the desk light on and his wheelchair can be
seen at the side of the room.
FADE OUT...
End.
