BURN

BURN

Screenplay By

Joe Parker

JOE PARKER 2014 [email protected]

EXT. MORNING - GARDEN

POV. OLIVER GRANT is performing to a crowd of children.

Their glum and unsatisfied faces look back at him. Some are

paying no attention at all, including one child playing on

his Nintendo DS. It is a sunny day with the children seated

on the grass while some parents stand at the back. Two

children play football behind. There are ’Happy Birthday’

banners and balloons around the garden.

Oliver is holding a playing card. There is a small sound of

clapping in the background. Oliver is dressed in a classical

magician’s outfit that looks worn. He is in his 60’s,

slender and grey, although he is wearing a hat. Oliver

smiles meekly after the weak applause and waits for it to

end.

He starts putting an assortment of items into a trunk, all

magic themed. He is approached by PENNY, who gives him a

hug.

PENNY

Thanks Dad, you were brilliant. The

kids loved it.

(She is smiling and quite

convincing)

Oliver is pensive, pondering his performance.

OLIVER

Anytime sweetheart.

He slams shut the trunk with a thud.

The Title BURN appears, white on black, with the sound of

flickering flames in the background.

CUT TO

INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

JEAN GRANT is on the phone, standing in her kitchen. She

looks slightly younger than Oliver but is greying. There are

an assortment of boxes labeled KITCHEN in red. Jean is

adding some kitchen utensils to them.

JEAN

Well of course it wasn’t going to

go well...

(Pause)

I know you were only trying to help

but you know what your father’s

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 2.

JEAN (cont’d)like Penny. He gets his hopes up,

this was never a good idea.

There is a noise in the background of a door opening and

closing.

JEAN

...I have to go, I’m really sorry

work needed me. Send my love to

everyone. Bye.

Oliver opens the door. We see the kitchen only has a few

bare essentials. Jean walks over to Oliver where they share

a hug and a kiss.

JEAN

I’m sorry dear.

OLIVER

(Taking off his hat)

I should have tried something more

exciting. Kids that age...

JEAN

(Interrupting)

Oliver, you can’t keep doing this

to yourself. It only ends in

disappointment.

(Jean says this

sympathetically but firmly)

CUT TO


Footsteps can be heard, there is only darkness. There is the

sound of a door opening and we see Oliver. He throws his

trunk into the unidentified room and closes the door again.

CUT TO

INT. EVENING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Oliver is sitting at the dinner table, frantically writing

in his notebook. Jean is serving up dinner. She places down

the food cautiously. She then places hers down and sits

opposite him. Oliver peers over his reading glasses at her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 3.

OLIVER

Thank you dear.

Jean takes a mouthful of food and looks at her husband

hesitantly. She finally speaks.

JEAN

What are you doing?

Oliver doesn’t hear her, busy scribbling away with his pen.

Jean speaks again, this time louder, more frantic.

JEAN

Oliver, I asked, what are you

doing?

Oliver replies without looking up.

OLIVER

I need to improve my performance. I

need to focus on a more traditional

audience, that was the problem.

Bring back the classic tricks.

Jean slams her fists onto the table. Oliver looks up and

stops writing, startled.

JEAN

For heaven’s sake, look around you.

The rest of the kitchen is in view, there are removal boxes

scattered around the room while a big white sheet covers a

snooker table.

JEAN

Open your eyes Oliver. I’m sick

these delusions of grandeur, of

being a bloody magician. Those days

are long gone. You are selfish.

Oliver stands up, reacting angrily to Jean’s outburst.

OLIVER

Don’t you think that I want to fix

things? You don’t understand. I

feel worthless but I won’t just

give up. I want to be successful

again. For you. Us.

Jean gets visibly angrier, in disbelief of Oliver’s

stubbornness.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 4.

JEAN

For us? Me? Rubbish. You’re

neglecting your family, you care

more about bloody magic than us.

I’ve had to put up with a hell of a

lot and I don’t know how much more

I can take. What do you care about

the most?

Jean is upset but fights back tears. Oliver is offended at

Jean’s question, frustrated.

OLIVER

How dare you ask me that? How can

you question that? I love you more

than anything. You can’t understand

because not everyone can give up on

their passions like you did.

Oliver storms off as Jean slumps back into her chair. She is

trying to keep herself together. She is breathing heavily.

Jean mutters to herself.

JEAN

I’ll show you passion! I’ll show

you passion.

Jean throws Oliver’s book across the room. She is slightly

trembling to herself, shaken. Jean shouts towards the door.

JEAN

I’ll be gone by tomorrow, I swear

it!

Jean buries her head in her hands.

CUT TO

INT. MORNING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Oliver and Jean cuddled up together, on a sofa in the

lounge. They are wearing the same clothes as the previous

day, looking disheveled. There is a breakfast tray on the

side. It consists of a half uneaten slice of jam toast;

cereal bowl, honey pot, milk jug, cup and saucer. Jean

snuggles up against Oliver.

JEAN

You know how much I love you?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 5.

OLIVER

Of course I do, made me the

happiest man for years.

Jean stirs slightly but they are still embracing.

JEAN

I don’t want to nag but, why can’t

you let it go?

OLIVER

When we were kids, we would play

for hours with my Granddad’s magic

set...

(Jean smiles)

OLIVER

Remember how nervous I was on our

first date? My legs wouldn’t stop

shaking. You came back to mine and

you watched me perform all night.

Trick after trick.

Jean nearly chokes with laughter.

JEAN

Good heavens Oliver.

Oliver composes himself.

You were encapsulated by it. I

loved that. Magic has always been

important in our relationship.

Oliver is playing with Jean’s hand when he touches her ring

finger. He pauses to ponder slightly.

OLIVER

I don’t want the magic to end.

Jean smiles again at her husband.

JEAN

You can be so silly. No matter how

many tricks you perform, the magic

to me is our love. Surely that is

all we truly need? We aren’t

getting any younger. It can scare

me Oliver, how obsessed you get.

Oliver is about to reply when the phone rings. Jean answers

it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 6.

JEAN

Jesus Christ, I’m late for work.

Get up Oliver.

Jean and Oliver scramble off the sofa.

CUT TO


Oliver is now changed. He is sitting back in the kitchen,

making notes into his book. He calls out to the other room.

OLIVER

Any luck dear? Or is it all junk

like I suggested? Why your mother

insisted on keeping hold of all

that tat..

Penny’s voice calls out.

PENNY

Come in here Dad.

Oliver gets up and walks into the lounge, his book under his

arm. Penny is kneeling down on the floor with a box on the

table. It is an old magic set which is still in a good

condition.

PENNY

This brings back so many memories.

OLIVER

I had no idea we still had this.

Your mother must have kept it.

Oliver sits on the sofa next to Penny. The magic set is

still in its original box. Penny responds in a slightly

offended tone.

PENNY

What were you saying about old tat?

Oliver opens it and takes out certain pieces delicately,

studying them.

PENNY

My friends would be so jealous that

my father was a magician growing

up. They would pester me about

coming round and watching your

tricks.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 7.

Penny and Oliver are looking at each other.

PENNY

I loved that time we spent

together. I’ll never forget those

moments.

OLIVER

Some great memories right here

darling.

Penny gives Oliver an embracing hug.

PENNY

I was so lucky to have such a great

Dad. Even if you would never reveal

the magician’s secrets.

They both laugh. Oliver puts the lid back on the box.

PENNY

Have you told Mum about the show

yet? With all the arguing

recently...

OLIVER

Not yet, but I will, I promise. I

hope she will understand but I’m

not sure. I still hope she will be

there.

PENNY

But are you sure it is a good idea?

OLIVER

Probably not...I can’t back out

now. I’m excited, I haven’t been

this excited for years. It’s a

wonderful opportunity.

Penny holds Oliver’s hand.

PENNY

I know Dad. I’m excited too. Please

tell her soon.

CUT TO

8.


Jean gets home and heads for the kitchen. She is holding two

shopping bags in her hands, looking tired. She calls out to

Oliver.

JEAN

Oliver? Oliver? I’ve finished

early, are you home?

She puts the shopping on the table, knocking off Oliver’s

notebook. Jean bends down to pick it up, holding it in her

hand for a moment. Curiosity gets the better of her so she

sits down and flicks through. After a few pages, she pauses,

her face frozen.

JEAN

I don’t believe it.

CUT TO

INT/EXT. LATER AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Oliver is approaching the front door, carrying two bags.

Jean confronts Oliver in the hallway, taking him by

surprise. She pushes his book into his chest, causing Oliver

to drop the bags. Jean is seething with anger.

OLIVER

I’m really sorry. Look..

JEAN

Save it. After everything we spoke

about, you go behind my back like

this? How do you expect me to feel?

OLIVER

I was about to tell you, tonight.

If you knew how important this was

to me, you’d understand. I’ve been

preparing for weeks...

JEAN

(interrupting)

Oh, brilliant. That makes it even

better, but if you’ve been

preparing for weeks...

OLIVER

(Loudly)

Since we lost the house, since that

ordeal, I’ve never felt so

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 9.

OLIVER (cont’d)

pathetic, so old. I miss being

respected, I miss making you proud.

I want to prove I’m not just a has

been.

JEAN

That’s crap. You’re either selfish

or completely blind if you don’t

see how much pain you are causing

me. You care more about magic than

about me.

OLIVER

No. No. No. It is not like that at

all.

Oliver picks up one of the bags he dropped, pulling out a

new suit. It is far smarter than the one seen in the opening

of the film.

OLIVER

I really need you to be there. I’ve

got something for you.

Oliver goes to lift the second bag but Jean snatches it away

from him.

JEAN

How dare you. How dare you Oliver

Grant. I’ve had enough. I’ll have

no part in this. Choose. Right now.

Me, or the show.

OLIVER

I want you there more than anything

dear..

JEAN

Choose Oliver, for Christ’s sake

just choose.

OLIVER

If I have to do it without you

there, I will. This is my last

chance.

Jean pushes past Oliver with the bag and opens the door. We

hear the sound of the dustbin lid being lifted, bag thrown

in and then closed. Oliver looks defeated, crushed.

CUT TO

10.

INT. MORNING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Jean is seated in the lounge, reading a magazine. Oliver

approaches but before speaking, thinks better of it and lets

Jean be.

CUT TO


Oliver is facing the mirror. His suit looks smart and

classical, the one he showed Jean. He adds a magician’s hat,

over his combed hair. Oliver adjusts his bow tie one last

time. He takes his trunk out of the room he previously threw

it in. Oliver goes to the lounge where Jean is no longer

there. Oliver takes an item out of his pocket, placing it on

the table next to where Jean normally sits.

CUT TO

INT/EXT. 8:50PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE

It is evening. There is a shot of the outside of the club

Oliver is performing at. It looks important, popular.

Inside, the place is yet to have opened its doors to people.

Oliver is there alone, walking down the aisle of the empty

row until he gets to the stage. He looks out onto the

room. Although it looks appealing, it also shows its age

and has perhaps seen better days. Oliver looks slightly

nervous.

CUT TO

INT. EVENING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Jean returns from work. She looks tired and miserable. She

takes her usual seat on the sofa, sighing. Jean removes her

work badge that hangs around her neck, placing it on the

table where Oliver left the object. Jean notices it and

picks it up, still hidden from the camera. She has a moment

to herself, staring at it. Jean smiles and mutters out loud.

JEAN

Oli you bloody fool. We both are.

She grabs her coat and exits through the door.

CUT TO

11.

INT. 9:45PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE

Oliver is backstage in a small dressing room. There are a

number of old details involving the room, including a hat

stand. The room is beginning to fill up, with an excitement

of anticipation from the audience. Oliver plays with the

ring on his finger. His trunk is by his side.

STAGE MANAGER

Ladies and Gentleman. Our first

performance of the night will begin

shortly.

CUT TO

EXT. 9:50PM - OUTSIDE CLUB

Jean steps out of a car. She is wearing a long coat and it

is dark. She tries to enter through the front door but it is

locked. She runs around the side.

CUT TO

INT. 9:50-M - BACKSTAGE CORRIDORS

Jean is running down the side of the building, unsure of

where to go.

CUT TO

INT. 10:00PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE/BACKSTAGE

Oliver is still behind the curtain. He is still playing with

his wedding ring on his finger.

STAGE MANAGER

We are ready for you sir.

Oliver takes a final deep breath and bursts through the

curtains. He walks slowly to the centre of the stage. Oliver

takes off his hat.

CUT TO

Jean is still frantically searching backstage, looking lost.

She is in a green room.

JEAN

Where the hell is it?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 12.

CUT TO

Oliver begins to speak on stage.

OLIVER

Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for

your attendance. I hope you enjoy

the show. My first trick of the

night is a very important one to me

and to my wife. Sadly, she couldn’t

make it.

Oliver looks at Penny who smiles, masking her shared

disappointment with her father. She is seated in the front

row.

CUT TO

Jean is still backstage, trying locked doors, when one

finally opens.

JEAN

I’m sorry but I need to be there

for my husband

CUT TO

OLIVER

Regrettably, this show will be my

last. I’m not sure what has been

sacrificed along the way, I just

wanted to do what I loved, with

those most dear to me...

There is a sound of a door opening at the back of the room.

Penny turns round and Oliver breaks eye contact with the

crowd, also looking. It isn’t Jean, just a regular audience

member who looks sheepish for disturbing the act. Oliver

regains his composure.

OLIVER

And that ladies and gentleman, is

worth fighting for.

Oliver stretches out his hand backwards.

OLIVER

A hand for my the beautiful

assistant please.

Out steps Jean, in a beautiful assistants costume. She takes

Oliver’s hand. Oliver stares in bewilderment, they are still

for a moment.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: 13.

JEAN

Hurry up dear! You haven’t sawn me

in half for years.

The camera is behind the pair, with the audience looking on

in expectation.

CUT TO

CREDITS

The credits roll over a black and white photo showing 2

children, transfixed in the art of magic.

Documents

BURN