(Script Competition Entry) ***TO BE FILMED AUGUST***
JIM
A Short Film
EXT.DAY. A park and a bench in some recent time, somewhere forgotten. We see a young HILDA in her 20’s, talking to her husband JIM, also in his 20’s.They are both clearly courting on the bench. Sounds of distant voices also somewhere and HILDA is sometimes distracted by them.
HILDA
Jim……Jim……Jim…..Jim!
JIM
Here I am Hilda. You do look lovely.
HILDA
Do I Jim? This old thing?
JIM
That old thing. Gimme a kiss lovely.
HILDA
I will, now we’re engaged. Oh Jim……Jim……Jim….
Fade scene in to a fantasy crackling picture and sound.
INT. Present. Day. HILDA’s bedroom in CHERRY RIPE nursing home.
HILDA is now in her 70’s and sitting in a chair next to the bed. DOREEN
2.
is HILDA’s daughter, in her 50’s sitting opposite the bed. JARMAN, a nurse in her 50’s is standing behind HILDA pulling her hair very tightly
into elastic bands, making a little pony tail, and HILDA’s head looking
very painful. Close up of DOREEN’s mouth chewing chewing gum and
talking at the same time. HILDA now has sever dementia and only stares
into the distance, repeating the name ‘JIM’.
DOREEN
What do you mean two for one? Like two four one? Or just two?
JARMAN
I mean two drinks for one price, a sort of cocktail, you buy one, but
get another bloody one absolutely free. How good is that!’s’
Fade away from DOREEN’s mouth to pan out all three women.
DOREEN
Cocktails! Well they’re not cheap. What can you have?
JARMAN
Well I don’t indulge in any old cocktail ‘per-soi’, but I do like a good
old champaigne cocktail if they have them on the wine list.
DOREEN
Oh, I see, well don’t they have an orgasm up the wall like, two for one?
JARMAN
Not really my cup a tea shall we say.
HILDA
Jim…….Jim……..Jim…….Jim
DOREEN
Shut up Mum, he aint here, he’s dead. Well if I can get two orgasms
up the wall for one…..I’ll be laughing. .
JARMAN
As I say…….
Suddenly the door bursts open. Enter larger than life FRED. He is a resident
at the home, also in his 70’s. He speaks directly to HILDA, and ignores everyone else.
FRED
How’s my lovely sweetheart today?
JARMAN
Mr.Jackson! You frightened the life out of me.
HILDA
Jim….Jim….Jim.
FRED
I’m not your Jim sweetheart, but it won’t be long now.
DOREEN
What won’t be long?
Fade scene. Similar picture and fantasy sound as before.
INT. EVENING. Ballroom. A forgotten time. A young JIM and HILDA close together dancing a slow waltz. Fade to fantasy sound and picture as before.
INT. Past.Day. Hospital side room .Young Doreen in pain. Baby crying.
NURSE
It’s a girl Mrs.Mooney…..it’s a girl Mrs.Mooney…it’s a girl Mrs.Mooney.
Fade scene. Fantasy sound and picture as before.
INT. DAY. Nursing home toilet. We see FRED. He closes toilet door behind him and locks it. FRED lifts up the toilet seat, removes his wig,
strokes it, kisses it before throwing it down the toilet pan. He flushes the
wig. He smiles.
FRED
We got them this time sweetheart. Tonight’s the night.
FRED rubs his hand and giggles to himself.
INT.DAY. HILDA’s room. DOREEN and JARMAN are chatting. HILDA
is now in the bed, just staring at nothing.
DOREEN
Well I have a brother in Australia, who I never see, and he never get’s in
touch, so when the time happens I am not telling him. Am I buggery.
JARMAN
That happens a lot I’m afraid. Families just neglect them. I feel sorry for
them really.
DOREEN
They are expensive these places though. We had to sell her house we did.
JARMAN’s mobile phone rings. JARMAN answers it
JARMAN
Yes…….I see….where’s the handy man?
HILDA
Jim…..Jim……Jim…….Jim.
DOREEN
Shut up mother.
DOREEN shoves a beaker of cold tea into HILDA’s mouth. HILDA splutters the tea everywhere.
HILDA
Jim…….Jim……..Jim.
JARMAN
Okay……I’ll be right down. Really have to do everything myself .
DOREEN
Mum shut up while the ladies talking.
DOREEN slaps HILDA across the hand.
JARMAN
No worries. I’m used to it. Best be off.
Fade. Similar fantasy and picture sound as before.
EXT. Day. Past. A time forgotten. Sound of a little girl crying. A younger
HILDA’s face looking down at a child DOREEN, out of shot.
HILDA
Oh Doreen…..let me rub that for you my luv……your hand?
There……there my lovely girl.
We see a young JIM comes up and stands behind HILDA.
JIM
Is my Doreen crying……no……let’s go and chase the bad man away.
JIM moves forward as if to pick up the young DOREEN.
INT.Present.Night.Nursing home toilet. It is blocked by faeces and urine.
The smell is awful. JARMAN puts on her marigolds and looks down the
pan whilst holding a large toilet brush.
INT. Night. DOREEN’S bedroom. Lights are out. Door opens slightly, and
FRED enters carrying a blanket. He walks straight to the bed and puts on
the bedside light.
FRED
Come on sweetheart….we’ve got them beat this time……..
HILDA
Jim…..Jim…..Jim.
FRED
I’m not your Jim my lovely. But we will find him. You wait and see.
HILDA
Jim…..Jim….Jim.
FRED takes the blanket and throws it round HILDA’s shoulders, moving
HILDA out of the bed.
INT. Night. Nursing home. Bottom of Staircase. FRED and HILDA are stood on the bottom step. FRED is holding HILDA.
INT. Night. Nursing home toilet. JARMAN is cleaning the loo. Suddenly
FRED appears behind her, she turns.
JARMAN
Fred! Stop creeping around. Get to bed.
FRED
Looks like a hairy job to me!
JARMAN
Go to bed.
FRED
Of course. Night.
FRED takes JARMAN’s front door keys from her uniform pocket.
INT.Night.HILDA and FRED are at the front door. FRED takes HILDA
outside.
EXT. Night. Bench in the garden. FRED and HILDA are wrapped in a blanket. It is very cold outside.
FRED
Now you’ll see him again. (Sings) Only a rose I give you………..
HILDA
Jim……Jim……..Jim.
Fade. Crackling sound and pictures as before. Mix scenes and pictures of a
time forgotton. JIM continues singing through fade out. Silence. END.