Script Draft

Ascension

By

Ryan Cole

01953 607804




FADE IN:

INT. HOUSE- MORNING

ANTHONY PILKS (early twenties, dark hair and a fair complexion) is seen leaning over a kitchen counter. He is waiting for his kettle to boil, whilst reading a newspaper. 'Ascension' appears beside him. A cross is seen in the far wall. The doorbell is heard. A small dog, lying in its basket, slightly reacts to the noise. ANTHONY is still looking at the magazine. The doorbell rings again. ANTHONY puts down the magazine and walks away. The cross is gone. He opens a door. Antony walks along a corridor, walks to the door and opens it.
A postal worker, shoulder height, hands ANTHONY a box and asks him to sign for it. ANTHONY takes it. He shuts the door. He walks back to the kitchen, takes out a small knife and opens the cardboard box.
He removes a small wooden, chestnut box and opens it; he pulls out a pouch and a small letter.

ANTHONY

(READING ALOUD)

Dear Mr...I regret to inform you...death of your grandfather.

(Pause)

Please find enclosed...inheritance. He wanted you to have this.

He opens the pouch, undoing the strings and emptying the contents onto the kitchen counter. Marbles roll. The marbles roll over the counter and spill over. ANTHONY picks one up and stares deeply into the marble.

FADE TO:

EXT.ANIMATED SEQUENCE- GRASSY PATH, SOME YEARS AGO,FLASHBACK

ANTHONY and his girlfriend, MICHELLE MCARTHUR, 22, are walking, hand in hand towards a house.

FADE TO:

INT.LIVING ROOM, ANIMATED

ANTHONY is standing on one side, an elderly white haired man, ALBERT, on the other, sitting. A cross is seen behind him. ALBERT is fumbling with beads.

ANTHONY

So everything is planned for this time next year! All her family is coming down from Ireland-

ALBERT

(scoffs)

Ha! More Catholics.

ANTHONY

-and obviously everyone from back in care is coming.

ALBERT

Has she converted yet?

ANTHONY

‘Cause I haven’t seen some of those guys in decades or since they were living here-

ALBERT

Has she converted yet?

ANTHONY

(hesistant)

She's not..converting.

ALBERT

Get out.

The words as text slip out of his mouth and fill the frame beside him.

ANTHONY

It doesn't matter, like it did anymore!

ALBERT

Get out!

The text is more capitalised and sharper.

END FLASHBACK

FADE TO:

INT.HOUSE, SAME KITCHEN AS BEFORE

The doorbell rings loudly.

ANTHONY jumps in fright, he drops the marble and goes for the door again, he answers it. MICHELLE walks in.

MICHELLE

Hey, you! What's up?

They embrace.

ANTHONY

Albert passed away.

MICHELLE

Oh...well, I mean…

ANTHONY

...yeah.

They embrace again.

MICHELLE

I know he brought you up, but he wasn’t all that great.

ANTHONY

…yeah.

They walk to the kitchen.

ANTHONY

He left me these.

He holds them up to show MICHELLE.

ANTHONY slips on a marble. His head hits the floor. ANTHONY stares wide eyed at the ceiling. Chaos ensues.

EXT.BLACK SKY AND STARS, ANIMATED
ANTHONY has angel wings, floats up to heaven. Above him, a great hand, belonging to grandfather, with a puppet strings controller.

FADE TO:

Text on screen, with VO, reciting: Heb.13:5b    I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

FADE OUT.

THE END