TALES FROM THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

SCRIPTFIRST.COM

SERIES - 45 minutes each episode.

LOGLINE
A Grandmother tells a series of dark intelligent horror stories which explore notions of power, sex, death, love, morality, happiness, revenge and Faustian mythology.

The Original Tales...

The Void
Conrad changes from being a bullied low-life data input clerk to a star when he finds a magic camera. Whatever image the camera captures can be erased in the void; Once it's erased as a photo it's erased in real life. Conrad takes revenge on those that bullied him… but he's about to learn that with the ultimate power comes the ultimate responsibility.

'The Void' was a pleasure to read. Its characterisations were strong, and consistent through dialogue. Its visual elements were purposeful. The writing quality was of a high standard. (B.A.)

This is one of the most imaginative stories I've read here in the Film School… This has a good Twilight Zone feel. (M.J.P.)

I laughed out loud many times… Your "loser character" reminded me of Woody Allen and Rodney Dangerfield. The camera and its magic are a nice trick; and the 'total void' in the basement is very good cinematically. The plot is good and solid. The dialog very good. Story was very funny… (T.C.)

'The Void' has a good main character, Conrad, the classic loser trying to get by. The idea of the 'magic device', this time an ancient camera that can take photos which leads to a alternate void is a good one. (K.O.T.)

A really neat idea, unusual and exciting. It sets the film up well and transported me to a completely different place. I really liked the ending. Conrad is set up as a wholly believable character, and I felt so much sympathy for him. All in all a unique story with a very clever twist, and perhaps my favorite of all the tales. (A.L.G.)

You left me curious, which is very good! (J.M.A.)

Conrad in 'The Void' has a great set-up into his life. I cared for this guy and wanted to see just what would happen. (K.O.T.)

The Bilderberg Group
A journalist investigates the Bilderberg Group - a group of statesmen and industrialists who rule the world. He finds out more than he bargained for… Years later, Anna, his daughter, tracks down the organisation and breaks into a secret meeting... Questions of power, paranoia and conspiracy proliferate in this tale of intrigue and denial.

This was a nice conspiracy story, laced with other tasty morsels. Nice twist… Looks like good TV fare with wide appeal. (T.S.)

An enjoyable read which led to a surprising and unusual denouement. (A.L.G.)

Ooooh this gave me the creeps! Ali was an excellent secondary character and Charlie and Anna stayed true to their slacker/pursuer image the whole time. (J.M.A.)

I enjoyed the characterisation of the pot-smoking Persian. That was actually pretty funny. And there is some rather witty dialogue. (R.M.)

You Came Back
Jack had everything; the great job, the beautiful wife, the large house... Trouble was, he was getting old, and he suddenly lost it all… A kindly Indian gives him the chance to start again through a potion enabling reincarnation. But would he learn the lessons of his life, or would he be doomed to repeat them? He discovers the truth as an actor, a baseball star and the President in this extraordinary tale of identity and potential.

The story moved quite briskly and I was with it every step of the way. Good transitions…tying the scenes together, and well-written dialogue. Good pacing and imagery. (D.M.)

A good story that progressed well. I really liked the ideas tackled in this story, and feel that it has great potential. (A.L.G.)

I enjoyed this one too, although I wasn't sure what the point of the dehumanisation was. I did like the allusion to the chain of being. (J.M.A.)

My favourite story was the one about Jack. Middle aged failure who goes from skid-row stew-bum to an un-recycled plastic Coke bottle buried in a gigantic landfill somewhere (Staten Island, NY comes to mind right away. It's HUGE!) The story was fine. The concept was fine. (R.M.)

What a bizarre little story, especially the end, but I liked that best of all. Very imaginative. (K.S.)

The Princess
Terrified on a long bus journey, Bobby offers anything to an African stranger in return for his survival… Little does he realise what anything means. In Casablanca everything seems normal, but amidst signs of impending doom he falls for a beautiful Moroccan woman. Little does he realise that she is part of the penance for his survival.

A good story and it works in the context of the other films. (A.L.G.)

This was a good story. (J.M.A.)

This one was interesting and sexy in a bizarre sort of way. (K.S.)

The characters felt real and the setting was interesting… the story is clever, exciting and particularly gruesome (maybe make slightly more of this!). (A.L.G.)

Liked this one as well. It wasn't my favourite, but it was real close. I think this is the most well written of them in that it flies without much work. The reader is lulled into a sense of lethargy about Bobby's promise "to do anything" to save the bus when he meets the seemingly harmless blowjob princess. Quick, quirky, memorable story-wise with a shocking ending. The kind of thing you could tell around a campfire at Boy Scout camp or at the water cooler to friends on a Monday morning when you discuss the weekend's movies. (R.M.)

The Illinois Enema Bandit
A deranged bandit injects women with enema in a bizarre clean up campaign across America. Two detectives desperately try to stop him, but find themselves involved personally (and intimately) with the Bandit's next solution…

A good story, very dark and different. This is one of my favorite of the tales, and I can't wait to see it on the big screen! (A.L.G.)

LOL this one's just disgusting but it made me laugh pretty hard. Clearly, the product of a sick mind. Eeny, meeny, miney, moe...Urine! There we go! Yikes! I love it! (K.S.)

Disco Boy
Disco kids are being violently chewed up in Paris. Victims suggest a famous movie star is behind the killings… but three film students seem to be involved. Can the detectives find the killers before they strike again?

The reader's favourite tale simply because Adam was so well drawn. A struggling film school student. That rings a bell. (ANON.)

A story that's been greatly improved… a clever, classic who-dunnit, where everyone has a motive and reason… very good work. (A.L.G.)

Clever analogy between the killings and films… a lot of depth leads to a devastating denouement. (ANON.)

The Spider
Spider is involved in a bank heist, and escapes with some top secret documents… On the run, he makes it to a small rural town. Approached by the police, he takes a café waitress hostage. He explains to her that the documents reveal the truth about the Bilderberg group - a group of industrialists who rule the world. He forms a bond with her, but she's soon killed. After picking up a mysterious hitchhiker, Spider ends up back in the same rural town again, and the waitress is still alive… And things are only just beginning to get weird.

A neat story. Reminded the reader of an X-files episode. (ANON.)

'The Spider' was interesting, and I felt it had the most potential. When Spider kept showing up in the town, it creeped me out a bit… (P.T.M.)

Do You Like Worms?
Delsin was always a peculiar kid, far more interested in worms than human beings. His father bullied him, the locals spat at him, and no one understood him… But three girls seemed to understand… until their kindness led to his violent death. Years later, somebody sends the girls threatening and ambiguous messages… And they are about to realise that what goes around comes around…

'Do You Like Worms?' made sense, and as a fellow social outcast, I can somewhat identify. The dialogue was good in this one, and the story fit well together. (P.T.M.)

I liked the worms... (R.M.)

This was very easy to read, very tight and well structured. It consistently transported me to a completely different place, land and world. A very good piece of work. (A.L.G.)

Destiny. com
When Cassandra finds a programme on her computer that foretells destiny, she thinks she's been sent a gift from God… but when those around her start dying, she's not so sure…

A unique and killer twist. A great read. (A.L.G.)

Strange and interesting story, very bizarre. The script had a lot going for it. Totally gripping and different. Everything a suspense thriller should be and more. Would make a great feature film… (T.B.)

Walking The Ghost
It was an important day for Ben Fielding. If he got his proposal right he could go on the fast track to promotion. Little does he know the consequences of his actions… He finds out in a complicated game of bluff and counter bluff… chases, explosions and ambiguous dreams…

I enjoyed reading your suspense thriller. It is well written and the main characters, especially Ben and Sarah, are well developed and likeable. The plot is also interesting... Your script reminded me of John Grisham's work, only on a corporate level instead of a law firm.
BBC Film and Single Drama, Development (Film version.)

Jazz Man
Milo is a famous saxophone player whose life is about to go very wrong… Saddled with debts an unscrupulous debt collector takes more than his money… Months later the limbless Milo is the test case for electronic limbs. He seems to have his life back, but the limbs have a life of their own… and start taking other peoples' lives...

'Jazz Man' is a pretty solid story. Solid dialogue. Flowed nicely. Pacing - reads fast and well. A damn good little screenplay. An odd and decidedly twisted script. (P.T.M.)

For me, the most terrifying story was the jazz man. Having your limbs chopped off with a chainsaw, and then robot limbs with a mind of their own attached instead. Nice touch about the kids in the museum at the end. The story was enjoyable. (R.M.)

The Witch
Danny Wilson used to be a talented musician, but he's burnt out. Cocco, a witch, offers him a cure in return for three wishes. Suddenly wildly successful again, Cocco asks him for the three things… half his total profits… to be written into his will… and finally, his penis. Desperately he fights to save his manhood, but a contract and a promise are binding… but binding's going to be the least of his worries if Cocco catches up with him.

'The Witch' was my favourite. I myself have often thought of striking a deal with the other side, but after reading this, I'd definitely think twice. You could even extend this to a feature length script if you so desired. Danny is good as a desperate musician and Cocco as his dark salvation. The writing style was distinct from the others. (R.M.)

The New Tales...

The Wayob
American tourists journey deep in the Guatemalan jungle. They come across a cave with a mysterious past. The guide tells them a story about an ancient warrior who brought peace and tranquility to the village many years ago, but at a cost. The daughter steals from the sacred tomb which belongs to the warrior. When the Americans return to New York, they discover they've brought something sinister back with them.

White Lobster
Miskito is a down and out fisherman living on the Nicaraguan coast. He depends on lobster for his income, but he isn’t having much luck lately. He prays for a catch of the famous White Lobster (“La Langosta Blanca”), a rarity worth its weight in gold. However, when the local drug smugglers drop their cocaine cargo in the waters during a police raid, he gets more than he bargained for.

Game of Death
A wife cheats on her husband, stealing his fortunes and fleeing to Bangkok with her boyfriend. However, the husband has contacts in MI6 and sends a hit man after them. In a twist of events, the boyfriend steals the riches and escapes to the countryside. He comes across a tacky strip joint in the middle of nowhere. A local pimp offers him a deal he can’t refuse. But he’s about to realise that this strip joint is unlike any other…

Machiavelli
A rap star who's at the top of his game is murdered in tragic circumstances. His death is mourned across the nation, and he becomes an icon to rebellious youth everywhere. The case remains unsolved for many years, but thanks to his "number one fan" a witch doctor, his spirit is conjured from the grave to seek vengeance on those who betrayed him.

Hell Hath No Fury
A husband is going through a mid-life crisis and is cheating on his wife. When she discovers his infidelities he couldn't care less, because of a pre-nuptial agreement. But she has other plans for him. She slowly drives him to desperate measures, and he ends up in a coma. But thanks to new technology she hasn't finished with him yet…

Blood Money
A red neck biker & war veteran works as a full time contract killer, hired by couples to settle disputes or bump off their partners. Men, women, children… it makes no difference to him. If the price is right he'll even bring back a souvenir. He takes great pride in his work, injecting a bit of creativity into the proceedings. However, the job soon catches up with him when someone puts a contract out on his own life. Now the tables are turned, he realises he's not the only hired killer in town.

Spotty Dick
Like most teenagers, Dick suffers from bad acne. He tried every soap on the market but none of them worked. He discovers a specialist on the Net who promises a new solution. It seems to do the job, for a while. His skin clears up in no time and he gains his self esteem back. However, it's not long before he suffers terrible side effects. His condition deteriorates and he desperately seeks a cure, before it's too late.

Zero Hour
British Special Forces are deployed to Iraq on a dangerous mission to retrieve top secret documents from a bank vault, amidst warring factions of Shia and Sunni militia. When they discover the vault contains millions of pounds in gold bullion, things take a turn for the worst.

Chicken Hawk
A secretary is employed at a top city firm. Her employer, who's a leading Republican figure, has a colourful past involving Hollywood and the US military. It starts out as an exciting opportunity; the job is varied and lucrative. The boss takes a special liking to her because she reminds him of his late wife, who passed away tragically. However, when a private investigator uncovers illegal dealings in chemical warfare, she sinks into a quagmire of murder and deceit. This is no ordinary firm. And her boss is no ordinary hawk.

Galaxy Suite
A mega conglomerate has launched the ultimate six star hotel in the sky aimed at wealthy clients who, for the bargain price of $2 million can take a trip round earth in 80 minutes. The first passengers to sign up include flash executives, two of whom are husband and wife to be. She's even brought her poodle along for the ride… It's the trip of a lifetime, involving cutting edge technology and luxurious surroundings, not to mention a smashing view. This is one holiday they'll never forget, ever.

Swastika Eyes
A leading lawyer and dedicated Nazi hunter, who has successfully convicted dozens of corrupt officials involved in the holocaust, bites off more than he can chew. He promised his father on his death bed that he would find his savage tormenter and bring him to justice, whatever the cost. But the job has a detrimental effect on his family and friends. His obsession with capturing an ever elusive official sends him right over the edge, with devastating results.

Child is Father of the Man
A scientist experimenting with growth hormones develops a serum which would revolutionise the ageing process, and make cosmetic surgery obsolete. Millions of wrinkly customers eagerly anticipate the launch of this new wonder drug, and are willing to spend handsomely. His place in the history books is guaranteed. There's just one problem… he hasn't figured out how to control the acceleration process yet.

High Voltage
A down on his luck electrician is falling behind at work. His boss threatens to fire him if he doesn't get his act together. On a rain soaked afternoon, when the sky's filled with thunder, he decides to fix one last pylon to reach his quota. He's struck by a bolt of lightening and ends up in hospital. When he wakes up from a coma his life changes irrevocably; he's blessed with powers of ESP and telekinesis. However, what starts as a blessing soon becomes a curse beyond his control.

Bog Man
Not since Stonehenge has anything this exciting been discovered in Northern Europe. Archaeologists from across the continent gather in Ireland, where the remnants of a bizarre ancient ritual have been unearthed. Several corpses are buried in the bog, as a sacrifice to the fertility Goddess. They've been murdered brutally, showing signs of stab wounds and strangulation. The excavation is front page news, and the investigators celebrate at the local inn. Shrouded in mist and fog, this drinking session will last way beyond closing time.

The Lodge
A major Italian banker arrives in London on the run from someone, something… His only possessions are a battered old briefcase and a book of contacts. He hides in a discreet flat, spending his days in a paranoid haze of phone calls and sinister nightmares. He tries desperately to hold his business empire together as everything collapses around him. Can he rescue his wife and children, who remain in Italy? Are 'they' watching him? Will 'they' find him here? The clock's ticking…

Evil Heat
A politician is murdered live on television, watched by millions. The killer is untraceable; there are no records or fingerprints to prove he ever existed. FBI agents are called in to investigate… what they think is a pretty open & close case. As they delve deeper into a murky world of espionage and conspiracy, they realise there's a much larger picture. It seems to involve secret societies with tentacles stretching from politics to corporations to an ancient order of assassins. But how much of it is real? And how much is just plain fantasy?

Cherry Springs
A new lecturer arrives at Cherry Springs. It's a strict Catholic school for girls, preaching moral discipline and old fashioned values. The lecturer, who's laid back and Liberal, proves extremely popular with the students. Too popular in fact…

Gator Bait
A motley crew of killers and rapists break out of prison and flee into the bayou swamps of Louisiana, with the cops hot on their tail. They can't stand the sight of each other, but they realise the importance of teamwork... The swamp's infested with deadly snakes and alligators; they have to stick together to survive. They come across a village miles from nowhere, whose sole inhabitants are females. They take the convicts in and feed them. However, what seems to be a safe haven soon turns into a violent battle of the sexes. These guys are gonna wish they got eaten by the gators.

The Flaming Man
A fireman quits his job after being involved in a tragic incident. Most of his colleagues perished in the flames on that fateful day, and he blames himself. Its left him scarred physically and emotionally; his dreams are filled with disturbing visions night after night. A doctor prescribes strong medication, and he takes up writing to channel his anxieties. He immerses himself in books, and falls in love again. But no matter how hard he tries and how far he runs, the darkness is always close behind.

Cabin Essence
It's 1800s America… the wild frontier. Pioneers have ventured out west in search of the Promised Land. The place is ideal, providing them with a rich supply of food and water; not to mention gold. A gypsy traveller is welcomed into the camp. She warms to their hospitality and simple way of life. However, it isn't long before the gold attracts bandits and Indian scalp hunters. When people start disappearing in mysterious circumstances, the pioneer's tranquillity disintegrates into a world of paranoia and murder.

Midnight Rambler
Not since the Ripper has London been gripped by such a horrific crime… bodies of prostitutes are appearing all over the East End, dissected with precision and dumped in bins like trash. Scotland Yard works over-time to catch the killer before he strikes again. Their only lead - the killer has a taste for the Rolling Stones, and a hatred of Chav Culture. A disillusioned Tory perhaps? Or is it something far more sinister.

Night School
A married wife leads a double life; teaching deaf children in the day time, and working the streets as 'Sally Cinnamon' at night. She enjoys the stability that her husband and family provide, but she also lusts for rough dirty sex on the side. It's an arrangement that's bound to end in disaster. One night, a butler arrives in a stretch limousine asking for her services. His 'employer' is willing to pay a small fortune… it's a deal made in heaven. But this is one trick she'll wish she'd never met.

Sawney Bean
It's 15th century Scotland… Hundreds of travellers have gone missing without a trace. When human limbs start turning up on the beaches, there's a public outcry. The authorities send word to King James IV and an expedition sets out to capture the culprits. What they find is beyond their worst nightmares, and it points to a guilty secret in the town's past.

Pleasure Island
A group of celebrities take a trip to an island in the Pacific, to escape the constant hounding of the paparazzi. It's a tropical paradise, isolated from the rest of the world, where they can rest and recuperate. They come across the sole inhabitant of the isle, a rich aristocrat who wines and dines them at his plush mansion. They find him irresistible and charming; this man definitely enjoys the hunt. And these young ladies are about to become the hunted…

Overall
All the stories were interesting. Groovy ending! I absolutely loved it. As a whole this is a good screenplay. The kids were consistent. A good collection of stories that work together on many levels. The film cleverly combines different genres - detective, conspiracy, horror, sci-fi and even reincarnation magical realism! All in all a clever piece of work that I enjoyed immensely. (J.M.A.)

The stories were good and engaging and fairly original in the manner in which they were told. (R.M.)

So the Grandmother was a robot. Interesting. I kept wondering why she was putting up with all their foul talk, and reading them stories like that, but it made it all come together. As a whole this is a good screenplay. The kids were consistent. (K.S.)

Overall, I'm impressed. These are very original stories, no doubt, and I was pleasantly surprised. These are definitely no card-board cut-outs, and feature strong concepts and a delivery that reminds me of more older horror movies in the vein of Romero and such. (P.T.M.)

Genre
Thriller/ Horror

Duration
TV series, 45 minutes each episode

Major Themes
Be careful what you wish for…
Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely
What goes around comes around
Shit happens
Shit's not just an emotion
Don't f@$£ with the wrong people
The past never really passes away... Destiny isn't just a word
Sometimes great gifts have great penance
Pacts with witches shouldn't be entered into lightly

For scripts or full treatments contact pdevonald@hotmail.com or davidallencollins25@yahoo.co.uk

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