Solstice_extract
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.
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EXTRACT FROM 'SOLSTICE'
by Peter Devonald and Kevin Scrantz
COPYRIGHT 2004-2009: Contact pdevonald@hotmail.com for more details
FADE IN:
EXT. PILL HOUSE - GARDEN - DAY
A carousel clothesline hung with large ladies' garments
squeals rustily as it turns.
TITLE: "SOLSTICE"
GORDON'S HANDS
Use a wrench to tighten a pipe fitting.
GORDON
A small, fastidious man of 30, reaches over, flicks a
switch.
A concealed pump HUMS. A squatting stone TOAD belches,
then spits a stream of water into a large stone clamshell.
Gordon smiles proudly. O.S., feminine laughter. He looks
up. Across the low garden wall -
RACHEL TRELLIS
Cradles a cell phone to her ear while she waters roses.
Rachel is in her 20's, blonde, with an old-fashioned
prettiness. She notices Gordon and smiles his way.
GORDON
Smiles back, bashful.
DAPHNE (O.S.)
Gordon!
DAPHNE PILL
A glowering behemoth of 30-something with a prominent mole
on her upper lip, clutches a basket of laundry.
DAPHNE
Stop harassing that woman, what's
the matter with you?
She notices the toad and steps back, walks around it.
DAPHNE
That is the most repulsive thing
I've ever seen.
GORDON
It's a water feature.
DAPHNE
Very you. Gordon.
(steps Closer)
Gordon, did you take my good pink
knickers from the clothesline?
GORDON
Your pink - no! Of course not.
DAPHNE
Then they must have been stolen.
GORDON
Now, Daphne, who in their right
mind - I mean, who would steal
knickers?
Daphne, miffed, pulls her shirt closed over her cleavage.
DAPHNE
Some pervert, that's who. Oh, I
see the way men look at me when I
walk down the street. Undressing
me with their eyes... I'd better
call the police.
Daphne looks at the toad, then Gordon, harrumphs and stalks
back to the house.
GARDEN - LATER
Gordon weeds his roses. Behind him Daphne gives her
statement at the clothesline to plainclothes DETECTIVE
HARDIN, arms waving.
Hardin, 40, watery-eyed, big for nothing, approaches
Gordon.
HARDIN (O.S.)
Mister Pill?
Gordon turns to Hardin's extended hand, wipes his dirty
hand on his trousers and shakes it.
HARDIN
Detective Hardin. I just want
you to know, I'm on this case
personally, and will not rest
until your wife's property is
returned safely.
GORDON
Well, um, thank you. We'll all
sleep easier knowing that.
HARDIN
Bloody shame, that happening to a
lady as nice as your wife. It's
obvious why they were stolen, of
course.
GORDON
Is it?
HARDIN
Certainly. She's a very fetching
little lady, if you don't mind my
saying so.
Hardin and Gordon watch brawny Daphne beat the hell out of
a rug slung over the clothesline.
INT. PILL HOUSE - KITCHEN - NIGHT
Gordon and Daphne eat dinner in silence, the only sound
their utensils on china and Daphne's chewing.
Gordon looks down at the newspaper: "CLORLEYS OPEN
HISTORIC GARDENS TO PUBLIC FOR FIRST TIME." He smiles,
carefully tears it out.
DAPHNE
What's that?
GORDON
Nothing.
DAPHNE
Don't say "nothing" when it's
clearly "something". It's not
about my assault, is it?
GORDON
You weren't assaulted, Daphne.
And, no, it isn't.
Daphne rips the paper from his hands.
DAPHNE
Gardens? Again with the gardens!
GORDON
It's the chance of a lifetime!
I've wanted to see the standing
stones in Clorley gardens since I
was a boy, and it's only open one
day, for the summer solstice...
DAPHNE
One day? How do they expect to
make any money that way?
GORDON
You can only see the sun shining
between the stones that one day.
DAPHNE
(tosses clipping at him)
I was violated today, and you're
mooning over moldy old rocks? I'm
so glad to see your priorities
are in order.
Daphne rises noisily, collects her dishes.
DAPHNE
Dry and save after you wash, I
don't like my silverware lying
out all night.
LIVING ROOM
Gordon, apron tied around his waist, puts a thick old
record of "LA BOHEME" on a phonograph.
MUSIC. RODOLFO sings "O SOAVE FANCIULLA."
BATHROOM
Daphne, lolling in bubble bath, frowns at the music.
GORDON
Looks out the open window. Next door,
RACHEL
Sits on a bench in her garden. Lit by the full moon, she
glows with beauty, enjoying the music.
GORDON
Stares. Overcome by the music and Rachel, his eyes tear
up, his chin trembles.
RACHEL
Turns her head. Gordon appears behind her, singing
Rodolfo's part. Rachel stands and SINGS back MIMI'S part.
Gordon takes her hands. They sing at each other as he
twirls her around her garden, yearning to kiss, unable to.
Overhead,
THE FULL MOON
Colossal, with a beaming FACE hovers.
DAPHNE (O.S.)
Gordon!
The Moon's FACE looks panicked as it deflates with a
sputtering noise, spins, spirals away into space.
GORDON
Shakes his head. Daphne towers over him in a bathrobe.
DAPHNE
Have some consideration and turn
off that racket, I need my rest.
Gordon mutes the volume.
DAPHNE
I have an appointment with a
police sketch artist in the
morning.
Daphne marches out. Gordon looks into the distance, sighs.
EXT. CLORLEY GARDENS - DAY
Gordon and Daphne wait outside a locked, chained gate set
in a tall, mossy wall.
DAPHNE
Are you sure you have the right
date?
GORDON
Of course. Today's the solstice.
I can't understand why more
people aren't here.
DAPHNE
When are they going to open the
gate? It's criminal making
people wait like this.
GORDON
I wish you'd stayed home. I
really don't think you'll like
this.
DAPHNE
Stay home? With a knicker
napping maniac on the loose?
A gray-haired GUARD in an oversized uniform, approaches
with a big key ring and unlocks the gate.
DAPHNE
Well, it's about time.
GORDON
Daphne, shhh.
DAPHNE
Don't shush me, Gordon Pill.
Gordon looks away, embarrassed. His face lights up as
Rachel approaches.
GORDON
Why, hello!
RACHEL
Hello, yourself. You're the
Pills, yeah?
Daphne looks her up and down, sniffs.
GORDON
Gordon. And my Daphne, Wife - uh
- wife, Daphne.
RACHEL
I'm Rachel Trellis.
GARDENS
Brick paths appear and disappear in dense foliage. Gordon
and Rachel creep along, fascinated at every turn. Daphne
follows, bored, arms crossed as she tramples hapless
flowers.
DAPHNE
I wasn't bothered about coming,
but after the nightmare I've been
through, Gordon insisted.
GORDON
My wife lost an article of
clothing yesterday.
DAPHNE
Lost? It was stolen, right from
under my nose, practically, my
best knickers.
Who knows where they are now, or
what they're up to? It makes my
blood run cold!
RACHEL
I'm so sorry.
DAPHNE
Just keep your doors and windows
locked, and mind your
clothesline, that's all I say.
Gordon gasps.
DAPHNE
What is it? Did a snake bite
you?
(to Rachel)
I'm allergic to snakes, you know.
GORDON
It's this lily, I've never see
one this color.
DAPHNE
Drab and plain, you would like
that.
RACHEL
Butterscotch. I have some in my
garden. You must both come over
sometime, I'll give you a bulb.
GORDON
How nice of you! Did you hear
that, Daphne?
DAPHNE
I heard, Gordon, I'm standing
right here. Thanks awfully,
Missus Crumb, but I'm what you
might call, Anti-dirt. I spend
most of my time trying to keep it
out of my house and off my hands.
DAPHNE
Stomps ahead of Gordon and Rachel. Off to one side,
ancient willow trees. Daphne squints, then parts the
branches like curtains.
DAPHNE
Come and see what I found!
Gordon and Rachel hurry over. Daphne proudly shows them a
warped plank gate in the stone wall.
GORDON
What is it?
DAPHNE
A gate, you ignoramus. I'm going
to see what's on the other side.
GORDON
Do you think you ought to? It's
obviously closed for a reason.
RACHEL
Your husband's right, Missus
Pill. It might be trespassing.
DAPHNE
I paid good money, I'll bloody
well see what's on the other
side, thank you.
Daphne pushes her shoulder against it, grunts. The gate
scrapes the ground as it cracks open. She squeezes through.
The gate shuts easily behind her.
GORDON
Daphne is a bit headstrong.
RACHEL
I noticed. Oh, look!
THE SETTING SUN
Slips between rough-hewn standing stones, an orange light
shaft spreading through the circle.
GORDON AND RACHEL
Stare in awe, bathed in orange light.
RACHEL
So we're the first people in
dozens of years allowed to
witness this. Why is that?
GORDON
The Clorleys are an odd lot.
Then there's the awful reputation
this place has.
RACHEL
Oh, do tell!
GORDON
It's somewhat sinister.
RACHEL
I don't mind a bit of gore -
GORDON
Well, the ancient Druids are
supposed to have sacrificed
humans here. Then, too, visitors
have disappeared on occasion.
Rare, but it's happened.
Rachel hugs herself and steps closer to Gordon.
RACHEL
Still beautiful, though, isn't
it?
CLORLEY GARDENS - MAIN GATE
Rachel comes out. Gordon follows, looks at his watch.
RACHEL
Perhaps she went on home? Let me
give you a ride.
GORDON
No, thank you, I'd better take
another look. If I leave her
behind I'll never hear the end of
it.
RACHEL
Thank you for a delightful
afternoon, then. And give my best
to Missus Pill.
GORDON
I will - and thank you.
RACHEL
Don't forget to come by for your
bulbs.
GORDON
I won't.
Gordon watches her go, nearly beside himself with
happiness. He turns back to the gate, grim.
WILLOW TREES
Gordon looks around.
GORDON
Daphne? Daphne?
Gordon sees the willows, hesitates, then steps through the
branches to the gate.
He grasps the rusty door pull, shoves weakly, only able to
open a crack wide enough to see through.
Shadows from the stone circle stretch across a meadow to a
black bog.
Beside the bog cheering, chanting DRUIDS in coarse clothes
and animal skins adorned with summer flowers form a merry
ring around a spreading oak.
DAPHNE (O.S.)
Stop it right now, all of you,
this isn't funny anymore!
Gordon squints at the oak tree. Daphne, tied to its trunk,
is being pelted with flowers.
Gordon whips off his glasses, wipes them, replaces them and
stares in shock.
Daphne looks directly at Gordon and SHRIEKS.
DAPHNE
Gordon! Gordon, make them stop
it!
Druids stop dancing and look Gordon's way.
The Druids race toward Gordon, blocking his view of Daphne.
DAPHNE (O.S.)
Gordon! Don't leave me with
these rude people! Gordon!
GORDON
Jerks the gate shut as the Druids approach. They pound on
the other side.
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.