Script 'Psychosis Circus'.
Scene 1: INT. Bedroom. House. Morning.
SCARLETT (18, unkempt hair and wearing a playsuit and shirt with clashing patterns) looking at her Father’s belongings and finds a gun with the words ‘JOHN DOE’ written on it. Voiceover.
SCARLETT
Painted eyes and a red nose, forms the current of my being,
From this circus-tight prison, my mind craves freeing.
Ceaseless affliction, I beg you, decease,
The bitter colour of my anger, my only release.
Scene 2: INT. Corridor. Councilling Building. Afternoon.
SCARLETT walks down the corridor. Looks upset. Goes through a door.
Scene 3: INT. Office. Afternoon.
BERYL is not seen throughout scene, her voice is a voiceover. SCARLETT sat in a chair with a coffee table in front of her.
BERYL
Hello there, Scarlett. How are you today?
There is a pause
BERYL
Very well. If I may Scarlett, I would like to talk about your childhood. What is your earliest or most poignant memory?
SCARLETT looks angry
SCARLETT
Firstly Beryl, which is such a conceited name if ever I heard one, I’d thank you to cease addressing me in that condescending manner. However, if you really must know, it was when I was 8 years old. I was at school when my uncle came and gave me some devastating news.
Scene 4: INT. Classroom. School. Afternoon.
SCARLETT plays with a clown doll. UNCLE (Late 30's wearing casual clothing and a hat) walks in. He looks concerned.
UNCLE:
Scarlett, I'm afraid I have some bad news. You know daddy was ill? I'm afraid he's passed away. I'm really sorry.
UNCLE walks out. SCARLETT continues to play with the clown doll
Scene 5: INT. Office. Councilling Building. Afternoon.
SCARLETT is unhappy.
SCARLETT
my Father was a wonderful man. He was caring, compassionate and accepted me, despite my extreme mood swings, even at the tender age of 8. He adored football and hunting with my step-brother. He called his gun, John Doe after my step-brother as he said they both had short fuses.
BERYL
Scarlett, what precisely made you come to counselling?
SCARLETT
They did. The Bullies.
Scene 6: EXT. Playground. School. Morning.
SCARLETT is 13 years old. She stands in the playground by herself and is confronted by two bullies. Both look similar, with blonde hair and too much makeup. They are 15. All characters are wearing a school uniform.
BULLY 1
Look at the fucking state of you! Always depressed. You ought t be ashamed of yourself.
BULLY 2
Crazy, crazy, crazy. Can you hear me over all those voices?
BOTH
Crazy! Crazy! Crazy!
Both bullies speak at the same time, BULLY 2 repeated the same words over and over until SCARLETT screams.
Bully 1
Scarlett, Scarlett, she’s a fucking harlot,
Go home freak; see you for more next week.
Bully 2: Crazy, Bitch, Freak, Loner.
SCARLETT screams.
JESTER (a clown, wearing a red wig, red nose and clown make-up) appears in front of SCARLETT and begins laughing.
JESTER
I’m your only friend now.
Scene 7: INT. Bedroom. House. Afternoon.
JESTER and SCARLETT (now aged 16) play a game of scrabble. Both are sat on the floor.
Scene 8: INT Office. Councillors. Afternoon
SCARLETT (18) sat on a chair.
SCARLETT
And Jester made me come here.
BERYL
BERYL
And who is Jester?
SCARLETT
SCARLETT
The Clown. He lives in my head.
Scene 8: INT Bedroom. House. Afternoon
JESTER and SCARLETT (16) sat on the floor playing scrabble
SCARLETT
SCARLETT
Jester, why are you so intolerant towards me? You mock me, and afflict me for eternity!
JESTER
JESTER
I’m your only friend now, Scarlett Morose. You’ll amount to nothing. Just like your pathetic Daddy
JESTER begins to laugh. SCARLETT swipes the scrabble board and knocks the tiles everywhere in frustration.
SCARLETT
I hate you Jester!
Scene 9: INT Office, Councillors. Afternoon
SCARLETT sat on a chair
SCARLETT
I haven’t seen Jester since that day three years ago.
BERYL
BERYL
I see you’re in pain Scarlett, do you want a tissue?
SCARLETT begins to look distressed. Her expression then turns to terror.
SCARLETT
Get the fuck away from me Jester. I hate you! I hate you!
SCARLETT sees JESTER where BERYL should be sat
JESTER
Come now, Scarlett. I’m your only friend. Daddy deserved to die, didn’t he? And it’s all your fault. All your fault!
SCARLETT stands up, and slowly pulls a gun from her pocket. She raises her arm and points the gun at JESTER
SCARLETT
Fuck you, clown!
SCARLETT shoots at JESTER. SCARLETT then realises that JESTER is in fact her councillor BERYL and she begins to cry, realising what she has done.
SCARLETT (Voiceover)
Painted eyes and a red nose, forms the current of my being,
From this circus-tight prison, my mind craves freeing.
Ceaseless affliction, I beg you, decease,
The bitter colour of my anger, my only release.
