FATAL EXTRACTION

A SHORT FILM

BY

MALACHY MARTIN

Besom Productions Ltd.

25 Ferryquay Street,

Derry BT48 6JB,

Northern Ireland

Ph.: (01504) 370303 Fax: (01504) 370728

 

1 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL, HARSHLY LIT.

A closed prison door from the corridor. The door opens.   HANGMAN framed in doorway with 1st PRISON OFFICER. PRISONER DUNLEAVY is screaming obscenities, it sounds as if he is being tortured.

2 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

Closed prison door. We hear DUNLEAVY screaming within. 

3 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL.

DUNLEAVY presses hard against the wall.    He is angry, in pain, afraid. His face looks battered, slightly swollen.

DUNLEAVY

            Ah, sweet mother of God.

4 EXTERIOR, ROAD OUTSIDE GOODWIN’S HOUSE, EVENING.

MR GOODWIN walks home.   He carries an umbrella like a walking stick. He realises he has reached the front gate, smiles and opens the gate.

5 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

The prison cell door from the corridor..

2nd PRISON OFFICER opens the spyhole and looks in.

6 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

CLOSE UP of DUNLEAVY’s face.

DUNLEAVY

            I can’t eat this, ya gobshite. So help me. AAAAHHHH

He flings tray of food at the door.

7 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

2nd PRISON OFFICER snaps the spyhole shut. He walks away from the door

8 INTERIOR. HALLWAY/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

MR GOODWIN shuts the front door. He hangs up his hat, overcoat and umbrella, shoots his cuffs and lifts the mail off the hall table.

9 INTERIOR. LIVING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

A large comfortable house bought and furnished with the expectation of a family that never came.

MR GOODWIN enters. MRS GOODWIN is pouring a glass of whiskey, she squirts in soda from a syphon. 

MRS GOODWIN

            A pleasant day, dear?

MR GOODWIN accepts the drink from his wife who in turn accepts a light peck on the cheek. They both smile.

10 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

CLOSE UP of DUNLEAVY’s face.

11 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

We hear Dunleavy scream in his cell

12 INTERIOR. LIVING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

 

He reads his mail as they sit on the couch. 

MRS GOODWIN

            Well, dinner won’t be long.

GOODWIN

            Uhuh.

He is engrossed in his correspondence.

13 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

2nd PRISON OFFICER returns to cell door with 3rd PRISON OFFICER. 2nd PRISON OFFICER nods to 3rd PRISON OFFICER who proceeds to open the cell door.

14 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

MR GOODWIN and MRS GOODWIN sit at one end of a large dining table that is partially covered by a white tablecloth. They eat on fine bone china. They have just finished eating. MRS GOODWIN refills MR GOODWIN’s teacup from a china pot.

MR GOODWIN gently nods, making the slightest noise of gratitude.

MRS GOODWIN seems satisfied. She lifts the plates, allowing him to finish his tea and heads for the kitchen.

15 INTERIOR, WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL. HARSHLY LIT

2nd PRISON OFFICER walks quickly in through a doorway into the wide corridor. Faint screaming and banging in the distance through the barred doorway behind him at one end.

16 INTERIOR.  BATHROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

MR GOODWIN is in his dressing gown, he examines his face and his eyes as he brushes his teeth. Reflected in the mirror MRS GOODWIN in her dressing gown as she comes up stairs

17 INTERIOR, SENIOR OFFICER’S OFFICE/ JAIL

2nd PRISON OFFICER enters. He is gravely concerned. SENIOR OFFICER looks expectantly at him over his reading glasses.

2nd PRISON OFFICER

            It’s Dunleavy, sir. There could be a problem.                   Somebody is going to get hurt, sir.

SENIOR OFFICER nods. 2nd PRISON OFFICER has passed on responsibility for the problem. He leaves. SENIOR OFFICER takes of his glasses and stares at the phone for a few moments not wishing to make the call then finally lifts the receiver and begins dialling.

18 INTERIOR. HALLWAY/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. DARKNESS

A telephone rings. The landing light comes on. GOODWIN, donning his dressing gown steps quickly down the stairs

19 INTERIOR. WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL

1st PRISON OFFICER and 2nd PRISON OFFICER stand and watch as 3rd PRISON OFFICER helps bleeding 4th PRISON OFFICER through the gate into this wide corridor. Screaming and banging continue from beyond the doorway at one end of the corridor.

SENIOR OFFICER enters the corridor. He walks to join 1st and 4th PRISON OFFICERS by stairs.SENIOR OFFICER notebook in hand.

He rips out the page and hands it to the 1st PRISON OFFICER as 2nd PRISON OFFICER hurries towards DUNLEAVY’s cell. 1st PRISON OFFICER looks at the paper and leaves.

20 INTERIOR. MAIN BEDROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. DARKNESS

MR GOODWIN is putting on his tie as a car pulls up outside and a door bangs. He is not alarmed. He looks out of the bay window and sees a car sitting at his gate, engine running, headlights on. 2nd PRISON OFFICER gets out of the car. 

21 INTERIOR. MAIN BEDROOM/HALLWAY GOODWIN’S HOUSE.

MR GOODWIN goes out of the bedroom. MRS GOODWIN gets up, goes out of the door and watches over the bannisters. MR GOODWIN talks to 2nd PRISON OFFICER but there is only a murmur of low voices. She cannot identify what they are saying. 

22 INTERIOR. MAIN BEDROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE.

 

She returns to the bedroom and brushes off his jacket. Her husband comes back into the bedroom. She holds up the jacket for him to put on.

MRS GOODWIN

            Would the gentleman care for a cup of tea while                   he’s waiting?

MR GOODWIN pauses and looks at her for a brief moment in disbelief then realises the honesty of her request. 

GOODWIN

            There isn’t time.

MRS GOODWIN offers her cheek for a kiss, MR GOODWIN gives her a slight peck of farewell and leaves.

23 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL.

DUNLEAVY getting more out of control, flays out at the prison officer posted in his cell. He roars and shouts. 

DUNLEAVY

            Come on then, come on you wee shite you.

 

24 INTERIOR. CAR

MR GOODWIN is sandwiched between 2nd PRISON OFFICER and the car door. He sits rigidly upright, framed between the driver and 1st PRISON OFFICER. He is not comfortable. He does not look happy.

25 EXTERIOR. COURTYARD/ JAIL

The car pulls up by the entrance to the prison.  

26 INTERIOR. CORRIDOR/ JAIL.

MR GOODWIN walks quickly along a maze of corridors. 2nd PRISON OFFICER follows him through various clanging barred doorways.

27 INTERIOR. WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL

The screaming can still be heard. SENIOR OFFICER shakes MR GOODWIN's hand.

SENIOR OFFICER

            Apologies for rousing you from your bed, sir.

GOODWIN

            Hmm.

MR GOODWIN leaves with 2nd PRISON OFFICER in the direction of DUNLEAVY’s cell.

28 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

The screaming is louder, more manic, the cell door is open.

29 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

DUNLEAVY sits on a heavy iron bed, his wrists are secured by two pairs of long chained handcuffs to both ends of the bed. It is not a comfortable position. DUNLEAVY is in pain, his cheeks are streaked with tears and sweat.

.

MR GOODWIN enters followed by 2nd PRISON OFFICER. MR GOODWIN removes his hat and coat and hands them to 2nd PRISON OFFICER. MR GOODWIN smiles at DUNLEAVY, but it looks insincere. MR GOODWIN glances at 1st PRISON OFFICER

GOODWIN

            I’ll take care of this now.

DUNLEAVY hesitates in his screaming. MR GOODWIN points at the handcuffs.

GOODWIN

            Remove those.

1st PRISON OFFICER looks at him in disbelief.

DUNLEAVY

            Alright, ya bastard.

2nd PRISON OFFICER nods. DUNLEAVY is silent, fear in his eyes as 1st PRISON OFFICER releases his wrists.

30 INTERIOR. WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL

SENIOR OFFICER winces as he hears the muffled screams of the prisoner being worked on by MR GOODWIN. 3rd PRISON OFFICER looks pale.

31 INTERIOR. NARROW CORRIDOR/ JAIL

Sound of Dunleavy’s muffled screams.

32 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

CLOSE UP of MR GOODWIN’s face, teeth clenched tightly giving his face a grotesque insane expression.

CLOSE UP of DUNLEAVY’s hand gripping the end of the bed tightly, knuckles white with strain.

33 INTERIOR. WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL

4th PRISON OFFICER enters with a smile as he dabs his bleeding nose. He is followed by the HANGMAN. HANGMAN takes SENIOR PRISON OFFICER aside into the shadows.

34 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

Sound of Dunleavy’s muffled screams.

CLOSE UP of MR GOODWIN’s burning eyes showing strain and concentration. Beads of sweat on his eyebrows. CLOSE UP of Dunleavy’s face as he quickly turns aside and spits blood onto the floor. Blood and spittle run down his chin.

MR GOODWIN holds up a bloody rotten molar in his chrome dental pliers, he smiles but seriously.

DUNLEAVY

            Aghh, Christ!

DUNLEAVY snarls but looks happier. He spits again and

wipes his mouth and extends an open hand. The rotten molar is dropped onto his palm

MR GOODWIN dons his hat and lifts his coat and is about to leave, the prisoner grunts. 

DUNLEAVY

            Hey.

MR GOODWIN hesitates and DUNLEAVY extends his his hand.

DUNLEAVY

            What’s your name, boss?

MR GOODWIN is caught slightly unawares.

GOODWIN

            James............Jim. 

Pause

     

DUNLEAVY

            Thanks..........Jim.

DUNLEAVY stretches to shake his hand.

DUNLEAVY nods to 1st PRISON OFFICER

DUNLEAVY

            Cigarette.

1st PRISON OFFICER holds out a packet of cigarettes to DUNLEAVY. DUNLEAVY takes the packet and offers to MR GOODWIN. MR GOODWIN takes a cigarette. DUNLEAVY takes one himself and puts the packet into his shirt pocket.

DUNLEAVY

            Light.

1st PRISON OFFICER lights both cigarettes. DUNLEAVY inhales deeply and nods at MR GOODWIN. MR GOODWIN smiles and leaves. DUNLEAVY grins and holds out both hands together for the handcuffs which are promptly snapped onto his wrists but not on to the bed again.

35 EXTERIOR. COURTYARD/ JAIL, NIGHT.

MR GOODWIN settles into the back seat and smokes his cigarette. His stern scowl relaxes into a slight smile just a little. 

36 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL

DUNLEAVY smokes his cigarette with relish. He runs his tongue around the inside of his mouth, probing the empty space where the offending tooth used to reside. He smiles and smokes.

37 EXTERIOR. ROAD OUTSIDE GOODWIN’S HOUSE, NIGHT

The car pulls up at the GOODWIN's house. MR GOODWIN gets out of the car. He looks at his house and smiles. The car drives off as he goes through the garden gate and walks to his door.

38 INTERIOR. HALLWAY/GOODWIN’S HOUSE

MR GOODWIN hangs his hat and coat on the stand and places the black briefcase on the table. He pats it and goes up the stairs.

39 INTERIOR. WIDE CORRIDOR/ JAIL. DAWN

2nd PRISON OFFICER walks gently down the metal stairs from the balcony. All is quiet.   He switches off the lights. The building is filled with cold dawn light.

40 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL. SAME MORNING.

DUNLEAVY stands staring up at the small window, a cigarette in one hand, an enamel mug of tea in the other. His hands are no longer handcuffed. A finished breakfast sits on a tray nearby. He looks expressionless, like one who has not slept. His face has been washed. 1st PRISON OFFICER is sitting at one end of the cell.

41 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. SAME MORNING.

MR GOODWIN puts eggs into eggcups. The table, partially covered by the white tablecloth as before is laid for breakfast.

42 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL. SAME MORNING.

Suddenly DUNLEAVY’s cell is filled with SENIOR PRISON OFFICER, 2nd PRISON OFFICER 3rd PRISON OFFICER and 4th PRISON OFFICER,. DUNLEAVY stands. SENIOR OFFICER enters and puts his hand on DUNLEAVY's shoulder.

43 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. SAME MORNING.

MRS GOODWIN enters the dining room and looks at the table.

MR GOODWIN

            Morning, dear. Toast?

MRS GOODWIN nods and sits. MR GOODWIN smiles and puts two slices of bread into a toaster sitting on the sideboard and sits.

44 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL. SAME MORNING.

DUNLEAVY drops his cigarette on the floor and stubs it out with laceless shoes. DUNLEAVY looks at SENIOR OFFICER. SENIOR OFFICER nods in some vain attempt at reassurance.

45 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. SAME MORNING.

MRS GOODWIN taps and cracks the shell of her egg with a spoon. MR GOODWIN pours tea into china cups.

46 INTERIOR. PRISON CELL/ JAIL. SAME MORNING

DUNLEAVY is rushed out of the cell and into the Gallows room. 

47 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. SAME MORNING.

MR GOODWIN

            Did you sleep well, dear?

MRS GOODWIN smiles.

MRS GOODWIN

            I did. Indeed I did.

MR GOODWIN slips the tea-cosy over the teapot.

48 INTERIOR. GALLOWS ROOM/ JAIL. SAME MORNING.

DUNLEAVY is hustled onto the trapdoor by the Prison Officers. DUNLEAVY’s ankles are quickly strapped by the HANGMAN’s ASSISTANT. HANGMAN pulls the hood down over DUNLEAVY’s head and places the noose around his neck and tightens it in place. DUNLEAVY stands hooded on the trapdoor, wrists handcuffed behind his back, ankles strapped. DOCTOR, CLERGYMAN, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, 1st WITNESS and 2nd WITNESS look on solemnly.

49 INTERIOR. DINING ROOM/GOODWIN’S HOUSE. SAME MORNING.

MRS GOODWIN

            You were a little late last night.

The toast pops out of the toaster with an abnormally loud noise.

50 INTERIOR. BELOW GALLOWS ROOM/ JAIL

The gallows trapdoor bangs open.

SLOW MOTION CLOSE UP as a laceless shoe falls onto the floor.

51 INTERIOR. BELOW GALLOWS ROOM/ JAIL

CLOSE UP of laceless shoe lying on damp stone floor.

THE END