Sunday 23 June 2013

STEALING MOSES




STEALING MOSES - Trailer

Written by Bobby Stevenson

Martin Pickering  Big Head Media    2013
Bobby Stevenson  thoughtcontrol ltd 2013

BLACK SCREEN
FADE IN:

A BEAUTIFUL LITTLE KID’S FACE.
The SMILE of 10 year old MOSES as he holds an older hand but
there are salty tears on his face.
Is he smiling after crying - crying after smiling - or a
little of both?



MUSIC FADES UP

The older kid, JOSH (14) walks away in ULTRA SLO-MO with a
smile on his face. He’s done something good and he knows it.

MUSIC CROSS FADES with VOICE OVER.

JOSH (V.O.)
When we first moved to Churchill
Heights, Moses was just another
little kid who happened to live
next door. I was fourteen years old
and he was in another universe.
Being four years younger than me
was a chasm in my world.
We both had something in common -
our fathers were long gone. His
father had been hounded out of town
by guilt and mine was everyman I
ever passed in the street, or it
could have been.
Okay, I didn’t have a dad but I had
a mother who loved me in her own
way and who was a just as great at
being a father .
Perhaps this is what this story is
all about: LOVE.

EXT. EAST LONDON ESTATE - DAY 
Establishing aerial shot of an estate that is not quite what
it was built to be.
It’s beauty, if it had any, has faded.
CAPTION: “A few weeks earlier.....”
CAPTION FADES OUT.
SOUND OF A BODY BEING DRAGGED.
HEAVY BREATHING.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALLWAY - EARLY MORNING 
A PAIR OF BATTERED LADIES’ SHOES.
The owner of those shoes is unconscious and someone is
pulling her along the hall.
The woman is BRITNEY (30) - she’ll tell you she’s 24.
Her 14 year old son, JOSH is the proof of that lie.
JOSH is dragging his mother but not in desperation rather in
measured LOVE. This is JOSH and if his life is weighed up
against anyone else’s, then he is a HERO.
Britney is a party girl and at the moment, she’s the
aftermath. JOSH has done this a million times before.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
BRITNEY is snoring on her back.
JOSH is undressing his mother to her bra and pants. This
situation doesn’t phase him.
He takes the CRUMPLED MONEY from her clothes, probably given
by customers, and places it on the bedside table.
He throws a cover over his mother and then studies her.
He KISSES her on the forehead. This is LOVE as they
understand it.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. KITCHEN - MORNING
JOSH, the ‘little man of the house’ is making a cup of tea.
JOSH sits at a breakfast table which is a little too big for
him.
JOSH sips his tea. He’s used to making his own breakfast.

EXT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. DOORWAY - MORNING
A communal corridor shared by all the front doors.
As JOSH is leaving for school, OPRAH (35) - Josh’s next door
neighbour - is leaving her flat with MOSES (10), her son.
OPRAH is holding MOSES’ hand with a more than a normal grip.
She doesn’t want him to escape.
OPRAH pulls MOSES to make him face forward. MOSES keeps
looking back at JOSH, then he smiles, a smile that would
break even the hardest of hearts.
OPRAH turns to see what MOSES is looking at. When she sees
it’s JOSH , she rushes away, pulling MOSES even faster.
She doesn’t want her son to mix with this boy.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
A reborn BRITNEY is touching up her makeup using the hall
mirror. She is BLINGED UP for another night out.
She’s not a prostitute but if her gentlemen friends want to
leave a little something as a thank you, then who is she to
argue.

INT. JOSH’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
JOSH is lying in his room with a computer screen he’s drawn
on a piece of paper. He’s making the noises as if he’s
playing a game on a fake computer.

BRITNEY (O.S.)
Remember....don’t answer...

JOSH
Answer the door to no one.
I won’t.

BRITNEY (O.S.)
And no staying up late.

The CLOCK in the bedroom says 10.30pm.

JOSH
I won’t.

BRITNEY (O.S.)
Love you loads. Kiss, kiss.

JOSH
Love you too.

From the hallway the DOOR SLAMS. JOSH continues to play his
game.
There is a DISTANT MOANING and CRYING from through the wall.
JOSH puts his ear to the wall, he can hear MOSES crying.

EXT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. DOORWAY - AFTERNOON
JOSH is dragging his feet as he returns home. As JOSH passes
Oprah’s house, MOSES is at the window. MOSES smiles at JOSH.
Then MOSES disappears as if he’s been yanked away from the
window.
OPRAH appears at the same window and she waves to JOSH that
he should get away from her window.

OPRAH
Shoo! Shoo!

OPRAH stares at JOSH until he leaves.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. JOSH’S BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
The bedroom is full of Josh’s imagination and very little
else.
JOSH is drawing the face of MOSES. This boy IS an artist.
SCREAMING FROM THE BEDROOM NEXT DOOR and it sounds as if
someone is being murdered.
JOSH has heard many things in his short life and even he is
alarmed.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT. DOORWAY - AFTERNOON
JOSH stands at the door and out here the screaming is LOUD.
JOSH knocks on the door, then BANGS, then THUMPS. There is no
response but the screaming is gaining in intensity.
JOSH sees the top window is open. He climbs onto the window
sledge and reaches inside to open the larger window.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. LOUNGE - AFTERNOON
JOSH climbs in the window and immediately notices how much
more like a home this place is.
The SCREAMING brings him back to the present.
JOSH rushes through the flat and finds the room without
problem.
JOSH tries to open the door of Moses’ bedroom but it’s
locked.
He takes a run at it with his shoulder but JOSH comes off
badly.
The SCREAMING from inside, continues and gets more severe.

JOSH
Hold on, I’m coming.

JOSH is just about to take a huge run at the bloody door when
he sees the key in the lock.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. MOSES’ BEDROOM - AFTERNOON
What ever JOSH was expecting to find it isn’t this.
MOSES is lying on the floor SCREAMING and in the midst of a
mental meltdown.
The room is covered with religious paraphernalia. Posters,
symbols, bibles.
This isn’t a room of hate, just misjudged love. Someone is
trying to keep someone safe and suffocating in the process.
JOSH kneels down on the floor and comforts the younger boy.
The screaming changes to sobbing.
The sobbing slides to whimpering.
MOSES is calming down - at last.
JOSH looks around the room and spots the only non-religious
item on the walls.
A POSTCARD OF A SEASIDE TOWN.
Trying not disturb MOSES, JOSH leans over and takes the
postcard from the wall.
Josh turns the card over and on it is written:
“ONE DAY, I PROMISE I’LL TAKE YOU - Dad x”

JOSH
Your Dad, I heard he’s gone away?

MOSES rubs his runny nose and eyes, then nods.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Did he take you to the seaside?

MOSES shakes his head.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I don’t want to sound weird or
nothing but would you go, if I took
you? I know I’m not your dad or
anything.

MOSES gives the biggest smile in the history of smiles.
MOSES gives JOSH a hug and JOSH smiles too.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALLWAY - EARLY MORNING
Another early morning and once again BRITNEY is lying in the
hallway.
JOSH stares at an unconscious BRITNEY.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK
BRITNEY, 14 years earlier holding the BABY JOSH. GEORGE,
JOSH’s FATHER is beaming a smile. BRITNEY, GEORGE and BABY
JOSH are a family and everyone loves everyone.

CUT TO:

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALLWAY - EARLY MORNING
JOSH dragging his Mum along the hallway.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK
FOUR YEAR OLD JOSH is playing by himself in a room. BRITNEY
is watching out the window. She hides behind a curtain.
GEORGE is sitting on a wall, combing his hair and talking to
some LOCAL GIRLS.
GEORGE catches BRITNEY at the window. GEORGE WAVES to showhow little he cares.

CUT TO:

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALLWAY - EARLY MORNING
JOSH still dragging his Mum along the hallway.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK
GEORGE is combing his hair in the mirror. In another room
BRITNEY sits playing with four year old JOSH.
GEORGE leaves, slamming the door behind him.
BRITNEY gets up, puts on her coat, and leaves the flat.
JOSH is sitting in the flat: he doesn’t notice he’s alone.

CUT TO:

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
JOSH is pulling BRITNEY towards her bed.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK
BRITNEY KNOCKS on a door. A HALF-DRESSED WOMAN answers.
GEORGE is semi-naked in the background.
BRITNEY burst her way in and starts hitting him.

CUT TO:

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
JOSH has placed BRITNEY on the bed and is removing her
clothes.

CUT TO:

FLASHBACK
BRITNEY is sitting drinking SUPER LAGER with some of the
ESTATES lost souls.
A YOUNG JOSH watches from a distance.

CUT TO:

BRITNEY lies on her bed. Her eyes are glazed. As we go down
her body there is a SYRINGE in her arm.
A MAN stands next to the bed and LEAVES MONEY by the table.
As the MAN leaves the room, he ruffles YOUNG JOSH’S hair - he
has seen everything from the door.

CUT TO:

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING
A 14 year old JOSH standing at the SAME POSITION (as the
young Josh) at the bedroom door. Watching his mother.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. MOSES’ BEDROOM - EVENING
MOSES sits motionless on his bed, just staring at a closed
door. There is BANGING on the other side.
After EACH BANG, MOSES’ FACE screws up with the NOISE.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. LOUNGE - EVENING
OPRAH is adding another bolt to the door. Her face says she
has RIGHT and GOD on her side.
SHE stands back and looks at her handy work. SHE’S keeping
MOSES safe and he’ll thank her one day.

EXT. BLOCK OF FLATS. YARD - DAY
JOSH sits in the communal yard watching the doors of the
flats. This morning, it’s a Saturday and things are more
relaxed.
OPRAH leave her home on her own after locking the front door
and checking it several times.
JOSH hides behind a wall until she’s disappeared towards the
bus stop.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - DAY
BRITNEY lies snoring.
JOSH has a look on his face that says he’s fighting his
conscience.
He makes a decision by displaying a ‘whatever’ expression.
JOSH takes the MONEY from his mother’s bedside table and
pockets it.
Thinks about it, feels guilty, counts out a few notes and
puts some of the money back on the table.
JOSH shrugs - he’s just being fair as far as he can see.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. LOUNGE - DAY
JOSH coming through the window of Oprah’s home in his usual
house-breaking fashion.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. KITCHEN - DAY
JOSH is stuffing food from Oprah’s kitchen into a small
rucksack. He eats a couple of the nicer things - this place
is an Aladdin’s cave.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. LOUNGE - DAY
JOSH uses a knife to jimmy open the new lock on the door of
MOSES’ bedroom.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT. DOORWAY - DAY
JOSH carefully looks out of the door to make sure the coast
is clear.
JOSH and MOSES make a run for it.
MOSES has all the wrong gear on - you get that feeling that
JOSH has had a hand in the fashion advice.

EXT. ALLEY WAY - DAY
JOSH looks around the wall at the end of the alley way. JOSH
creeps across the gap with MOSES awkwardly following him.

INT. STREET - DAY
A WOMAN looks out of her window and watches MOSES and JOSH
keeping close to the houses on the street and then dashing
across to the other side. As if they are on ARMY MANOEUVRES.

EXT. BUS STATION - DAY
At the bus station, JOSH and MOSES jump aboard a bus for the
postcard SEASIDE TOWN.

INT. BUS - DAY
MOSES’ mouth is covered in all the crap he’s been fed by
JOSH. Moses is probably having a sugar rush.
The two of them are HAPPY.
MOSES points to everything out of the window.
JOSH is pleased with himself.

EXT. SEASIDE. SEAFRONT - DAY
JOSH buys MOSES a ‘KISS ME QUICK’ hat (assuming they still
have them).
JOSH hands MOSES a T-shirt he’s just bought for him, but
MOSES won’t change in public.

JOSH (indicating behind a hut)
Go over there.

JOSH stands to the side of the hut as MOSES hands out his old
shirt.
MOSES comes out pleased as punch with an ‘I’m With Stupid’
type shirt.

MOSES looks down at his shirt as his face grows from concern
into THE BIGGEST OF GRINS.

JOSH (CONT’D)
You like it, then?

MOSES nods enthusiastically. JOSH ruffles MOSES’ hair. There
is LOVE growing between these two.

EXT. SEASIDE. BEACH - DAY
MOSES is staring at the SEA, he’s never seen something so
beautiful before.
JOSH puts an arm around MOSES.

JOSH
What ya think?

Before MOSES has a chance to reply. JOSH steals the KISS ME
QUICK hat and runs away with it.
MOSES shouts, runs after him and both are lucky that they
don’t trip over the GRINS that wash their faces.
MUSIC
JOSH being chased by MOSES in SLO-MO along the beach.
JOSH and MOSES playfully kicking sea water at each other.
JOSH and MOSES (now with his hat re-instated) have a SAND
CASTLE BUILDING CONTEST.
MOSES WINS!

INT. SEASIDE. CHIP SHOP - DAY
Looking through the counter glass MOSES’ face appears and
disappears.
MOSES is jumping up and down to see the battered fish and
hamburgers on the hot plates.
Eventually JOSH takes pity and lifts MOSES up, who points to
the biggest fish in the oven. Followed by ANOTHER GRIN.

EXT. SEASIDE. BEACH - DAY
JOSH and MOSES are sitting on the stony beach next to the
fishing boats devouring their food.
The seagulls have located the fish and chips’ smell and are
gathering like Hitchcock’s ‘The Birds’.

JOSH
Maybe we’d better move. Quick.

EXT. SEASIDE. CAR PARK - DAY
As JOSH and MOSES run along the car park, the seagulls are
going mental - the seaside’s Angry Birds always do this.

JOSH
Throw a chip.

MOSES throws a few chips on the car park and this distracts
the seagulls for a short time.
MOSES and JOSH keep throwing part of their fish and chips
‘overboard’ to get rid of the birds.
Eventually JOSH and MOSES dump their food and save
themselves.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. HALLWAY - DAY
OPRAH enters her flat and her hall and immediately senses
something is wrong.
Moses’ door is lying open.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. MOSES’ BEDROOM - DAY
OPRAH rushes into the room and SCREAMS in fear and anger.
There is a gap where the POSTCARD of SEASIDE was stuck on the
wall.
It takes a moment, then it hits her.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT. DOORWAY
OPRAH dashes out of her flat and starts BANGING on Josh’s
door.
There is NO ANSWER
Oprah slides down the door and starts SOBBING.
Then a thought. OPRAH wipes the tears from her eyes and takes
out her MOBILE PHONE.
OPRAH DIALS.

EXT. SEASIDE. STREET - DAY
MOSES and JOSH come flying around the corner. JOSH stops and
leans against a wall to catch his breath.
He puts out a hand to stop MOSES. They both lean against the
wall and MOSES looks up to JOSH as if he’s starting to see
him as the big brother he’s never had.
MOSES is starting to thaw out and holds JOSH’s hand.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT - STREET
A CAR pulls up with THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN.
The CAR HORN is SOUNDED.
OPRAH looks over the bannister.
OPRAH runs down several flights of stairs then jumps in the
car.

INT. SEASIDE. CAFE - DAY
JOSH and MOSES are licking ice cream and sitting looking out
the window like the big kids they are.
They are HAPPY!

EXT. MOTORWAY - DAY
The OPRAH POSSE is heading to the SEASIDE. OPRAH is reading
the Bible.

MAN
God will look after your boy. Be
not afraid.

THE POSSE
Ahem/God’s Truth/Be praised.

EXT. SEASIDE. FAIRGROUND - EVENING
It’s a SMALL family run fairground.
Whatever this ride JOSH and MOSES are on, it obviously suits
someone of MOSES’ age rather than JOSH’s.
JOSH’s BODY is FAR TOO BIG for the RIDE.

MOSES has transformed into a happy little boy, his smile is
lighting the sky.

EXT. SEASIDE. STREET - EVENING
OPRAH and POSSE have arrived at the SEASIDE.

EXT. SEASIDE. FAIRGROUND. BIG WHEEL - EVENING
While MOSES and JOSH are spying on the world from the wheel -
JOSH spots OPRAH WITH THE POSSE OF THREE MEN AND TWO WOMEN.
OPRAH has come for her boy and nothing is going to stop her.
The big wheel can’t drop fast enough for JOSH. As it reaches
the bottom, he’s hanging from the side.
JOSH gets impatient and makes himself and MOSES jump from the
Big Wheel before it reaches the drop off point.
MOSES thinks this is some sort of game.
JOSH makes MOSES run through - and out of the back of the
fairground. So they’re heading the opposite way from Oprah.

EXT. BUSH - DUSK
MOSES and JOSH are hiding behind a bush. Josh has a look.

JOSH
I think we’ve lost them.

MOSES
Who?

JOSH can see that MOSES is in some discomfort.

JOSH
What's wrong with you?

MOSES
I need to pee.

JOSH
Can’t you go over there?

MOSES SHAKES his head. He’s having none of it.

MOSES
I need to pe-e-e-e.

JOSH
So you said.

MOSES
I don’t like going out side. God
can see you.

JOSH take MOSES hand and leads him away.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS - NIGHT
JOSH is standing in front of a cubicle, guarding his new wee
brother.

JOSH
You wont even pee in here?

MOSES (O.C.)
No. I told you.

A VERY SUSPICIOUS LOOKING MAN enters the toilet. He goes over
to the urinal but keeps looking back at JOSH.

JOSH (To MAN)
What? I am not a rent boy, if
that’s what you’re thinking.

MOSES thinks he’s being talked to.

MOSES (O.C.)
What’s a rent boy, Josh?

The MAN looks forward and pees.

JOSH
I wasn’t talking to you, I was
talking to this pervert out here.
He’s up to no good.

MOSES (O.C.)
God will punish him, Josh.

JOSH
More like the Old Bill. Don’t
worry, he’s not a real pervert,
just some sad old bloke.

The MAN hurries out the toilet.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS. CUBICLE - NIGHT
MOSES goes into his trousers and takes out a newspaper
article that’s been folded over many weeks and many times.
MOSES unfolds the article.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS - NIGHT
A NEWSPAPER CUTTING is slid under the door by MOSES.
JOSH looks down.

JOSH
I hope you haven’t used that for
anything?

MOSES (O.C.)
It’s about my dad.

JOSH picks up the newspaper cutting and starts to read.

JOSH
Who’s Jesus of Bromley?

MOSES (O.C.)
That’s him, my dad.

JOSH
It says here he ran off with one of
his church members. She was only
17. And now he preaches in Bromley
High Street seeking forgiveness
from the Lord. Hasn’t you mother
gone round and belted him one?

MOSES (O.C.)
She says he is the devil.

JOSH
A bloomin’ lucky devil, more like.

MOSES (O.C.)
I miss him, Josh. I miss my dad so
much.

JOSH
I’ve never made a proper promise in
my life.

MOSES (O.C.)
What, never?

JOSH
I just said , didn’t I?

MOSES (O.C.)
Never?

JOSH
Shut up.

SILENCE

JOSH (CONT’D)
Sorry, I didn’t mean it - but I
promise I’ll get you to see your
Dad. You believe me, don’t cha?

SILENCE
JOSH bangs the CUBICLE DOOR in frustration.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I promise if you are ever in
trouble, I’ll come and get you. Do
you believe me? DO YOU FUCKING
BELIEVE ME?

MOSES opens the cubicle door and NODS his head.
JOSH calms and SMILES.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Wait and I’ll check everything’s
okay out there.

JOSH walks to the TOILET exit and carefully looks out.

EXT. PUBLIC TOILETS - NIGHT
OPRAH is giving instructions to her gang and pointing them
off in different directions.
OPRAH talks to one of the MEN and points to the TOILETS.
JOSH ducks back inside.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS - NIGHT
JOSH runs, grabs MOSES and enters a cubicle SLAMMING the
door.The MAN (35) enters.

MAN
Hello?

The MAN looks around, pushing the cubicle doors open then he
gets to the last one which is locked.
The MAN looks under the cubicle, he can see a pair of legs
and JEANS around the ankles.

MAN (CONT’D)
Hello? I’m looking for a young boy
who’s run away from home. Have you
seen one.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS. CUBICLE - NIGHT
MOSES is crouching on top of the toilet and JOSH is sitting
on the loo.

JOSH (VERY DEEP MANLY VOICE)
No, I can’t say I have sir. I’m
just sitting here having a dump.

MOSES’ nerves almost make him burst out laughing. JOSH throws
one hand over his shoulder and across JOSH’s mouth.

INT. PUBLIC TOILETS - NIGHT
The MAN is suspicious and goes into the EMPTY CUBICLE next
door, STANDS on the PAN and looks over.
The MAN watches JOSH making an tit of himself.

JOSH (VERY DEEP MANLY VOICE)
So if you would let me crap, I
would be very grateful....sir.

MOSES looks up to see the MAN who smiles back with an ‘I’ve
caught you’ look.
MOSES taps JOSH on the shoulder who also looks up to see the
man.
In one action, JOSH opens the cubicle door, grabs MOSES and
runs with his trousers at half mast.
JOSH blocks the man from leaving the cubicle with a MOP
HANDLE
JOSH and MOSES run out of the TOILET straight into OPRAH, HER POSSE and THE POLICE.

INT. SOCIAL COURT - DAY
JOSH sits in a chair, behaving himself.
OPRAH sits at a table with her ADVISOR.
JOSH’s GRANDMOTHER (55) picks some fluff off of Josh’s
jacket. This boy has been mugged by the Fashion Police.
There is a TRIBUNAL sitting at a table reading a report.
A WOMAN (40s) lifts her head.

WOMAN
My colleagues and I have discussed
the case and we think that there is
no benefit for Joshua or society if
he receives a custodial sentence.
So on this occasion, I am content
that Joshua is aware of the
severity of the offence. Be sure
however that if anything like this
happens again we will have no
option but to send you to a
juvenile centre. Do you understand?

JOSH doesn’t react, then his GRANDMOTHER nudges him.

WOMAN (CONT’D)
Do you understand?

JOSH
Yes.

WOMAN
You are on a suspended sentence of
two years and I don’t expect to see
you here again. You are being bound
over to your Grandmother who has
accepted the responsibility of your
well being.

Sentencing over, JOSH and his GRANDMOTHER stand and leave the
room.
JOSH looks back at OPRAH who refuses to look at him.

INT. GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAYJ
osh’s GRANDMOTHER is on HER MOBILE PHONE.
SHE is watching a HAPPIER JOSH shove and laugh with one of
his friends.
The GRANDMOTHER has a smile to herself.

GRANDMOTHER
Yeh, that’s been a few weeks now
and he seems to be getting better....
...she’s not been near, not allowed
apparently. I know she’s my flesh
and blood and his mother but
sometimes, I get ashamed.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. HALL - DAY
JOSH has a key and has let himself into his own home. He
never stops worrying about his Mum.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. KITCHEN - DAY
BRITNEY is having a cup of tea, trying to recover from
another night.
BRITNEY smiles when JOSH enters.
JOSH grabs a can of cola and sits beside his MUM. She puts
her arm around him and kisses him.

BRITNEY
How are you?

JOSH just shrugs.

BRITNEY (CONT’D)
I haven’t seen much of your friend,
next door. Apparently he’s not been
around for a while. She’s probably
done him in, the weird old witch.

JOSH jumps up.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. BRITNEY’S BEDROOM - DAY
JOSH pockets all the money that’s beside Britney’s bed.

INT. BRITNEY’S FLAT. KITCHEN - DAY
BRITNEY hasn’t bothered to get up.

BRITNEY
Don’t you be getting into any
trouble. Hear me?

FRONT DOOR SLAMS SHUT.

BRITNEY (CONT’D)
Love you.

EXT. BLOCK OF FLATS. YARD - DAY
JOSH is watching Oprah’s flat while pacing up and down. He
has to think about this, because his next move has
consequences.
JOSH decides to go for it.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT. DOORWAY - DAY
JOSH bangs on the door. As he’s waiting nervously a SLEAZY
MAN knocks next door (Josh’s flat). The door opens and
BRITNEY’S ARMS pull the man inside.
JOSH BANGS LOUDER.
NO ANSWER and NO NOISE from INSIDE but he knows MOSES is
there.
JOSH looks through the window. NOTHING.
He stands back but there are no open windows.
JOSH lifts a plant pot from outside another flat and throws
it through OPRAH’S WINDOW.
He opens the window and climbs in.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. HALLWAY - DAY
JOSH marches to Moses’s bedroom door. There is no key this
time. The door has bolts on the outside.
JOSH lifts a large METALLIC CROSS which stands in pride of
place on OPRAH’s TABLE.
JOSH breaks through the bedroom door with the cross - a bit
like The Shining.

Through the DOOR, JOSH can see MOSES tied up like an animal.

INT. OPRAH’S FLAT. MOSES’ BEDROOM - DAY
JOSH finally breaks down the door and it’s worse than ever.
The WALLS are reeking with RELIGION. 
MOSES is trussed up on the bed with a tape over his mouth.
JOSH gets a knife and cuts MOSES free.
MOSES and JOSH hug.

EXT. OPRAH’S FLAT. DOORWAY - DAY
JOSH has a rucksack of Moses and he’s putting a couple of
things in it, as the two of them leave the flat.
A FEMALE NEIGHBOUR (60s) is standing with ANOTHER WOMAN.

FEMALE NEIGHBOUR
I thought it might be you. You were
told to stay away. I’ve phoned the
police. That slag of a mother of
yours never brought you up right.
Did she?

JOSH is eye to eye with her. The FEMALE NEIGHBOUR steps back
as if she’s been threatened.

FEMALE NEIGHBOUR (CONT’D)
Go on, hit me you little shit.

JOSH looks down at MOSES and they both walk on.

FEMALE NEIGHBOUR (CONT’D) (shouting after, Josh)
They’ll be putting you away for
good. Mark my words.

JOSH and MOSES have turned the corner.

EXT. BROMLEY STATION - DAY
JOSH and MOSES exit BROMLEY STATION.
They start walking up Bromley High Street.

MOSES
You’re going to get in trouble,
aren’t you?

JOSH
Might do. I’ve told you, if you
were ever in trouble I’d come and
get you.

JOSH STOPS - there is MOSES’ DAD - JESUS OF BROMLEY
preaching in the street.

JOSH (CONT’D)
You’re sure about this?

MOSES NODS.
JOSH crouches down in front of MOSES.

JOSH (CONT’D)
I love you, like you’re my own
brother. You understand?

JOSH holds MOSES’ HAND as in the OPENING SCENE.
MOSES is CRYING and SMILING

JOSH (CONT’D)
If anyone ever hurts you or this
doesn’t work out with your Dad -
I’ll know or you’ll let me know and
I’ll come and get you. I promise.

JOSH HUGS MOSES.

JOSH (CONT’D)
Now go. Go. Go to your dad.

JOSH pushes MOSES towards his FATHER.
MOSES walks up the road.

When his DAD (32) sees MOSES, he stops preaching, smiles and
then they both run towards each other.

JOSH turns and walks back towards the station with the
BIGGEST SMILE in the HISTORY of MOVIES

                     THE END


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