Take The Air

(Script Competition Entry)

EXT.LIVERPOOL PIER HEAD – DAY

Lots of tourists walk about between the Liver Buildings and
the river taking photos, but the huge space looks bare. A
bedraggled man, HENRY is shambling across the square and
asks people for change. He calls to a suited man, ALEX early
30’s smartly dressed. Carries a briefcase. Walks
quickly, eyes and mind elsewhere.

HENRY mid 20’s dressed casually. A haughty look.

HENRY
Mornin boss, beautiful day.

The suited man turns his head and his pace slows a
little. Henry seizes his chance and moves in, big smile and
walks with Alex.

HENRY
Oh I love this spot, come here most
days don’t I.
(he chuckles)
Even when it’s pissin it down, I
love it. Gateway to the world. Love
it.

Henry does a 360 on the spot with arms held high and takes
in the buildings the wide space. He stops on the river where
there are ships moored and sailing by.
Alex looks a little sheepish but amused.

ALEX
Don’t come this way normally. Just
having a pig of a time. Started
last night really and now the car’s
broken down, trains cancelled and I
have to be in the branch soon.It’s
a nightmare. Thought I’d take some
air.

Henry skips in front of Alex.

HENRY
Not due for 20 minutes yet boss ,
you’ve plenty of time. Look ..

Henry points over the river.

HENRY
You can see the ferry just leaving
Seacombe.

Alex stops, looks out over The Mersey and sees the ferry
pulling out.

HENRY
It sails to Woodside then over to
the ‘pool.
(turns to Alex)
Might aswell take a load off and
enjoy the glorious sun and scenery.

Henry moves to one of the  low dual wall seats at the side
of the canal and invites Alex to sit. Alex looks around,
chuckles and takes a seat.

Henry spreads his arms wide across the seat and breathes in
deeply.

HENRY
Yea this port has seen so much in
the past and now …

Henry gazes round and raises his arms to the panorama.

HENRY
… now it’s regaining some of it’s
glory.

Alex looks around taking in the scene in a reverie.

ALEX
I used to come here as a kid. Was
totally different then.The ferries
were always packed and this area
didn’t exist.

Henry suddenly sits up and stares hard at Alex.

HENRY
Tell me about your problem, Alex!

Alex looks up startled. and stammers.

ALEX
(stammers)
What..? How do you know my name?
(he stands and backs away)
What the .. what’s going on? Who
are you?

Alex looks around anxiously, taken aback.
Henry smiles reassuringly at Alex with an open handed gesture, as
if talking to a frightened dog.

HENRY
It’s OK Alex. You’re amongst
friends.

Alex, distraught, looks round frantically.

ALEX
Who? … Where? What’s going on? I
don’t know you.

Alex moves away quickly, backwards, keeping an eye on Henry.

ALEX
Leave me alone!

Henry stands up still smiling , palms open, moving gently
towards Alex.

HENRY
Don’t worry Alex. Henry is here to
look after you. It’s all going to
be OK. No need to worry. We’ll look
after you.

Alex panics, twirls round, looks at the passers by, as if
they were accomplices in some deluded prank. Henry moves
towards him with a leering smile.

ALEX
Get away from me!

Alex turns, makes to run, bumps into a smartly dressed
woman, MARIANNE, early 20’s classical good looks.

MARIANNE
(smiling)
Whoa there … where’s the fire?

ALEX
Sorry … sorry
(looks quizzically)
Don’t I know you?.. weren’t you ..

Marianne moves into Alex, places a hand on his arm. Two
heavies come towards them.

MARIANNE
That’s right, Alex, we met a few days
ago and you may have seen me last
night. Mmm but didn’t you have fun?

Marianne smiles, moves sensuously against Alex.
Alex, looks confused, tries to push Marianne away.

ALEX
No ..no … leave me alone.

Two heavies are suddenly at his back and stop him
moving. Henry joins Marianne. Alex looks with panic,
tries to make a break, but fails..

HENRY
(smiling all the while)
Seems Marianne took a liking to you,
Alex. Let’s walk over there. Nice
and calm, don’t try anything
stupid.

The group march Alex to The Museum on the river edge.
Alex tries to call out.

ALEX
Help me… please, I’m being
kidnapped… someone, for God’s
sake!

Passers-by ignore Alex’s shouts.
Henry, Marianne and the two guys laugh raucously and smile
as if to suggest, with a nod and a wink, a homecoming from a late, late night-out.

HENRY
OK people …. in here.

The group enter the museum.

INT.THE BEATLES MUSEUM CAFE – DAY

The group moves to a table in the corner of the modern
cafe. Other customers are intent on their morning coffee fix. The
two heavies are either side of Alex with Henry and Marianne sat
facing him.

ALEX
You can’t just do this. People will
miss me. I have to be at the branch
soon. Just let me go and we’ll
forget all about it …

Henry smiles broadly, looks from Alex to the two guys,
to Marianne and back to Alex then leans forward.

HENRY
(quiet, menacing)
Oh Alex, tut tut. I can do just
what I like.
Henry shakes his head.
HENRY
Alex, let me show you what I
have been doing whilst you
were playing away from home.
Naughty, naughty boy.

Henry produces a mobile phone, presses the screen a few
times and turns it to Alex. A video starts.

INSERT –  PHONE VIDEO DISPLAY.
INT. ALEX’S HOME – NIGHT

Modern sitting room. GILLIAN, the wife of Alex, mid 30’s,
elegantly dressed is sat at a table.

GILLIAN
(in a trembling voice)
Alex I’m sorry … they just burst
in the  door and I couldn’t do
anything. George and Sacha are
fine. We haven’t been hurt. Just
please please do as they say … I

Henry snatches the phone away and Alex looks around stunned.

ALEX
Oh my god … what .. you bastards

Alex tries to stand up and is pushed down by the two heavies.

HENRY
(smiling patiently)
So you see Alex my friend. I am
holding all the cards. And if you
want this day to continue
pleasantly you WILL do what I ask.

Alex looks bemused, mouth open gasping for air.

HENRY
It’s all very simple really, Boss. I
need you to continue on your way to
the branch and Marianne and I will
be calling to see you at 9.45 as
arranged.

ALEX
What…? Why what about my kids? If
you’ve harmed them I’ll swing for
you!

HENRY
(shakes his head)
Alex! No position to threaten
anything. But don’t worry no harm
will come to your family ….
providing you co-operate with us.

Alex struggles and looks round frantically torn between
shouting for help and complying for the sake of his family.

HENRY
We’ll be at your bank at 9.45 and
we will be making a small
withdrawal. I have to tell you. If
anything ..
(he pauses menacingly)
should go wrong …. I hate to
think of your lovely family having
to pay for your mistakes. Rest
assured … they will pay dearly if
our little transaction doesn’t go
well.

Alex looks completely terrified and nods to Henry

ALEX
OK OK you win I’ll do what you
want. Just please don’t hurt my
family.

HENRY
Now that’s better Alex. Lovely day
for a ferry ride. Let’s take the
air.

The group rises and moves out of the museum to the pier head
where the ferry boat is docking.

FADE OUT

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