Sherry Red Shoes 3rd Draft

Sherry Red Shoes 3rd Draft By Darren Barber

Darren Barber 2B Productions films 2009

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EXT. ROADSIDE - NIGHT Out of the darkness shine car headlights which ILLUMINATE a man, PETER, standing in the road as he pulls an injured women from the passenger side of a car. The woman is unconscious and bleeding from the head. The oncoming car stops and a man hurries out to help Peter with the woman, dragging her to the side of the road they gently lie her down on her back. Peter cradles the unconscious woman. The passer by in a state of SHOCK calls an ambulance on his mobile phone. CUT TO INT. FLAT - DAY Peter Levitt early 40’s, scruffy, unshaven and dirty looking, stirs on the sofa of his claustrophobic flat, beer cans lead to a half finished bottle of Vodka on the floor next to him. Another man, BARRY, enters the room and shakes him. Peter stirs from his sleep and begins to come around. Barry sits on the edge of the sofa and hands Peter a cup of tea. Peter reaches down by the side of the sofa and picks up the bottle of Vodka. He pours some into the tea and then swigs straight from the bottle. BARRY What did the doc say? PETER Couple months. Barry puts his hand on Peter’s shoulder. BARRY Sorry mate. Peter shakes it off and stands up. PETER I don’t want pity Peter picks up the Vodka bottle and walks over to the window staring out of it. BARRY (OS) Sherry know? Peter again swigs from the bottle.

(CONTINUED)

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2.

PETER I’m gonna go see her today. BARRY Keep off the pop then aye mate. CUT TO EXT. QUIET STREET - DAY A teenage girl SHERRY dances along the street, a woman walks hastily trying to catch her up. Sherry dances freely and spins around hopping, skipping and dancing, playful but graceful. The camera pans from Sherry’s head down to her feet. She is wearing a plain T-shirt over a hooded top and cheap jogging bottoms but the thing that stands out most is the bright red shoes that she is wearing on her feet. CUT TO INT. DAYTIME BATHROOM Peter stares blankly at himself in the bathroom mirror, his eyes stare straight through his reflection. He takes out and opens a small bottle and drinks from it before coughing badly. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a hanky and continues coughing into it. Barry knocks on the door. BARRY (OS) You alright? Peter looks at the spots of blood on the hanky. Barry opens the door and pokes his head around. Peter quickly shoves the hanky back into his pocket. PETER I’m fine! CUT TO EXT. BUSY STREET - DAY Peter walks through the street, he’s clearly tried to make more of an effort in his appearance, his t-shirt replaced by a scruffy crinkled shirt and a red dickey bow - he still has scruffy shoes and jeans on. He looks lost, surrounded in the hustle and bustle of people coming and going about there business. CUT TO

3. EXT. UNDERPASS - DAY Peter is in a subway, he downs the remaining Vodka. He looks at the now empty bottle with anger and disgust before throwing it against the nearest wall the glass flying everywhere. CUT TO EXT. CARE HOME - DAY Peter sits restlessly in a communal room waiting. A stern looking women enters, MRS. BRIGGS, she’s holding a clipboard tightly against her chest. MRS. BRIGGS Mr. Levitt you really should have made an appointment! PETER (sarcastically) To see my own daughter? MRS BRIGGS Well, you know you shouldn’t just turn up unannounced. Peter coyly nods. MRS. BRIGGS (sarcastically) Now, Mr. Levitt I must ask. BEAT MRS. BRIGGS (CONT’D) Have you been drinking today? Peter shakes his head dismissively. In the background, Sherry enters the room tightly hugging a teddy. Peter turns smiles as he slowly stands. Sherry’s face lights up when she sees him. SHERRY Daddy! Sherry runs into her father arms almost knocking him over. PETER Hello pumpkin. Sherry stares at her father before gently touching his bow tie fiddling with it. (CONTINUED)

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4.

PETER You still like red then? CUT TO EXT. CARE HOME - DAY Peter walks hastily out of the front door of the care home holding Sherry’s hand. Mrs. Briggs follows behind, trying to keep up. MRS. BRIGGS Mr. Levitt. Mr. Levitt, you just can’t take her! Peter ignores her. MRS. BRIGGS I’ll have to report you to social services and the police if you don’t come back this instance. Peter stops before turning around and sticking his middle finger up at Mrs. Briggs. A look of horror washes across her face before she storms back inside the house. Peter looks at Sherry and they both start laughing PETER Crazy woman! How about we go on a trip? Sherry nods. SHERRY Where are we going? PETER Somewhere special, you’ll see. CUT TO INT. TRAIN - DAY Peter and Sherry sit next to one another on a quiet train. Sherry has fallen asleep on Peter’s shoulder. Peter looks down at his daughter and delicately brushes her hair away from her face before turning to look out of the window at the world rushing past. CUT TO

5.

EXT. WESTON-SUPER-MARE - DAY ESTABLISHING SHOTS OF THE BEACH, THE PIER, DONKEYS AND VARIOUS OTHER ATTRACTIONS. -Peer and Sherry in the old arcade playing on two penny slot machines. -Sherry making a mess with an ice cream, Peter tenderly cleans her face with his shirt sleeve. -Peter and Sherry on the miniature train. -Sherry petting a donkey; then having a ride. -Holding hands paddling in the sea, laughing and dancing around. Sherry splashing Peter. CUT TO EXT. PIER - DAY Peter and Sherry sit side by side underneath the pier. The pier is derelict and quiet and peaceful, a special place for just the two of them to be alone in the world together. Peter takes Sherry by the hand and turns to face her with a warm smile. PETER Pumpkin, you know that you will always be daddy’s special girl? Sherry stares at Peter with open eyes; she smiles and nods in agreement. PETER You know Daddy loves you so so much? I love you more than anything in this world and always will. Sherry’s smile widens. PETER Do you remember when mummy went to stay with the angels? Sherry nods. PETER And you didn’t get upset like everyone else at the funeral because you knew where she was.... (MORE) (CONTINUED)

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6. PETER (cont’d) and you told me that night that you could see her up in the sky.

Sherry nods. PETER Can you remember where mummy is? SHERRY Smiling down on us from heaven! PETER That’s right. PETER Baby.......daddy has to go to that special place now too. Sherry looks confused. SHERRY To meet mummy? PETER That’s right to meet mummy. SHERRY Can I come too? Peter smiles and gently laughs at his daughter’s innocence. PETER No pumpkin, you need to stay here and make the world a brighter place. SHERRY Will you send me a postcard? Peter Laughs. PETER Yes baby, of course. As Peter’s tears flow, Sherry tenderly wipes them away with her sleeve, just as Peter had done with Sherry’s ice-cream. SHERRY Don’t cry daddy. Sherry hugs Peter and he wraps his arms tightly around his daughter.

(CONTINUED)

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7.

PETER I bought you something. Peter rummages around in his pocket. He pulls out a red heart necklace and slowly puts it around his daughter’s neck. PETER This was your mum’s, she would have wanted you to have it. SHERRY (excitedly) My colour! Peter smiles. PETER That’s a heart, mummy’s heart and how much she loves you. Sherry wraps her arms around Peter and squeezes him tightly in an understanding embrace. CUT TO EXT. FOSTER HOME - EARLY EVENING Mrs. Briggs comes to the front door and stands waiting for an explanation. MRS BRIGGS (sternly) Where have you been all day? Peter says goodbye to Sherry and hugs her tight to his body. Mrs. Briggs looks on impatiently, tutting as her eyebrow’s raise disapprovingly. PETER Remember pumpkin, daddy loves you more than anything in the world. SHERRY Have a nice trip daddy. MRS BRIGGS (interrupting) What trip?

(CONTINUED)

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8.

SHERRY Daddy’s going to heaven. Sherry blows kisses to her father as she runs into the house to play. Mrs. Briggs looks taken back. MRS BRIGGS (embarrassed) Mr. Levitt if you had said you were ill.....I’m so sorry. PETER (interrupting) Listen ELAINE, you didn’t give me the time of day this morning so don’t pretend you care now. Mrs. Briggs looks embarrassed, lost for words PETER (softly) Look, I’m sorry. Just promise me you’ll give her this when I’m gone. Peter hands over a postcard. Mrs. Briggs nods. MRS BRIGGS Of course, you have my word. Peter goes to walk away MRS BRIGGS Mr Levitt Peter turns MRS BRIGGS We will look after her. Peter solemnly nods and walks away. CUT TO EXT. BEACH - DAY The sea ebbs and flows against the sand, washing footprints into the ocean. Birds dance in the sky. Everything is calm and still. PETER (VO) To the bestest girl in the whole world.

9.

JUMP CUT TO SUPER 8 FOOTAGE OF A HOME MOVIE- DAY SHERRY AND HER MUM, CLAIRE, ARE MAKING CAKES IN THE KITCHEN, SECRETLY OVERLOOKED BY PETER WHO STANDS OUT OF SIGHT WITH A CAMCORDER. CLAIRE SPOTS PETER AND BECOMES COY, EMBARRASSED. SHE TRIES TO SHIELD HER FACE FROM VIEW, EVEN USING SHERRY TO BLOCK THE CAMERAS VIEW. PETER CHASES THEM BOTH INTO THE GARDEN. IN SLOW MOTION THEY BOTH TURN AND WAVE TO PETER, CLAIRE KISSES SHERRY ON THE TOP OF HER HEAD AND MOUTHS THE WORDS I LOVE YOU TO PETER. PETER (VO) I’m with mummy now and she looks more pretty than ever. We both send our love and big hugs and kisses to you. PETER (VO) That heart necklace I gave to you. When you feel sad, just hold it close and feel it beat, that’s our hearts and how much mummy and daddy love you. CUT TO STREET- DAYTIME Sherry dances in slow motion, her feet jumping into the air, her hair swirling from side to side. PETER (VO) Be good for Mrs. Briggs and keep smiling. All our love darling, mum and dad. Super 8 footage continues as end credits roll. THE END