Final Screenplay - No escape

1. EXT: DENNISON ROAD – DAY  

An establishing shot of the Texico garage and cars moving along the road to set the scene of a sleepy country town.

Franklin and Sam cycle down the road past the camera (long to close up – maybe some go pro/extreme close up of bike wheel).

FRANKLIN’S DAD (V.O.)

We have got nothing against your friends, Franky…

2. INT: SCENE 2 WAFFLES CAFÉ - DAY

A medium shot (maybe through the window) of Franklin his best friend Sam and Toby having a milk shake/burger.

 FRANKLIN’S DAD (V.O.)

They’re good people.

3. EXT: OUTSIDE BODMIN JAIL - NIGHT

Medium shot/close up of Franklin and Sam holding film camera (use an old super 8 to look more visually interesting). Walking down towards the jail.

FRANKLIN’S DAD (V.O.)

We are just not sure that making this film is going to be safe, with your… condition.

4. INT: FRANKLIN’S HOUSE - INT

FRANKLIN’S MUM

You have to be careful, we just want you to spend more time with your family and focus on your revision.

FRANKLIN

I will, but I promised Sam I’d help him, and he’s my best friend. You always told me I shouldn’t let people down.

5. EXT OUTSIDE THE JAIL - NIGHT

The scene carries on from scene 3 and starts with a long shot of Franklin walking down the road alone (from behind).

SAM

All the gear we need is in the rucksack I left by the door. Torches, crowbar, extra batteries, tripod, snacks. C’mon.

Sam runs towards the door, opens the rucksack and uses the crow bar to open the door. Franklin stops suddenly.

ANONYMOUS 

(in Franklin’s right ear) Franklin!

Franklin spins around, but Anon has disappeared from shot.

ANONYMOUS 

(in Franklin’s left ear) Franklin!

FRANKLIN

Get lost!

ANONYMOUS

Alright, calm it, kiddo. Hahaha. Nice evening?

The shot slowly zooms in to see Franklin’s face before zooming back out to both of them again, although the speech continues.

ANONYMOUS 

Not talking, ay? Well whatever, I’m coming with you.

He giggles insanely.

Franklin stares, frozen with fear.

FRANKLIN

No! You can’t. L-leave me alone!

ANONYMOUS

There really is no point in you trying to reason with me. You can’t escape. I’ve got you.

Franklin closes his eyes hard for a few seconds, then opens them and Anonymous is gone. He then backs up a few steps and starts to pull a prescription bottle and drinking water out of his back pack. He takes the pills and has a swig of his drink. He continues down the road.

SAM

Franklin, come inside before we’re seen, else we’ll get no footage at all…

Frank! You with me, buddy?

FRANKLIN

Yeah, sorry, coming.

They walk in.

6. INT: BODMIN JAIL – NIGHT

The two boys turn on the cameras once they are inside the door. Franklin is filming.  

SAM

Action!

The boys walk around, going through rooms, looking around. A medium close up from in front of Franklin shows him stop and start looking around and behind him. Anonymous appears in shot but Franklin cannot see him yet.

FRANKLIN

N-No… S-Shut up! I won’t let you in.

Franklin is filming Sam. An over-the-shoulder POV shot shows what Franklin can see through the viewfinder of the SLR. Creepy/scary stuff flashing on the lens near the room, but when Franklin looks up the scene looks normal but when he looks back at the viewfinder he sees Anonymous over near Sam.

*Lots of voices murmuring, can’t make out what they’re saying, but only Franklin can hear it*

ANONYMOUS

We’re coming for you, Franklin.

FRANKLIN

I took my meds, you shouldn’t be here. Fuck off out of here. 

He backs away and ends up falling backwards, into the arms of Anonymous who is now directly behind Franklin. A violent fight ensures between Franklin and Anonymous. The camera that gets knocked over is on its side capturing the violent fight.

*Murmering continues, growing in volume, still only Franklin can hear it*

ANONYMOUS 

Oh, Franky, you’re no fun.

Franklin crouches down, head in his hands. Before picking the crow bar and slowly rising up to Anonymous.

FRANKLIN

I said leave me alone.

The fight continues between Franklin and Anonymous, Franklin hits Anonymous over the head with the crow bar. The voices disappear. Franklin looks down where Anonymous had collapsed to find that he has gone. He looks back up, confused and runs from the scene leaving the camera. He leaves the building and cinematography shows confusion and fear.

7. INT: POLICE STATION INTERVIEW ROOM – DAY

Sitting at the TABLE is FRANKLIN, across from two police OFFICERS. There is a CAMERA set up on a TRIPOD recording the interview.

OFFICER #2

Monday 1^st September 2014, 13:25. Interview of Franklin Merchant.

OFFICER #1

You’re here today, Franklin, because we found your camera along with the body of Sam Peterson inside the old Asylum and we have reason to believe that you may know what caused Sam’s the death. On review of the footage, Exhibit A, it was clear that you were with him. I think there’s something you should see...

The tape plays on the screen in the police interview room. It shows Sam in the jail – no ghosts no horror. The camera falls to the floor and shows Franklin fighting himself/no one. Sam tries to restrain Franklin and finally Franklin kills Sam before looking around and running away.