Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 1.

FADE IN:

1 1 INT. LONDON SPORTS BAR. NIGHT.

Ryan is a handsome man in his early thirties. He is wearing

a business suit, in the pub with a group of work colleagues,

drinking a pint of lager. A FRIEND is telling a joke, but

Ryan is only half listening.

FRIEND

Okay, what about this one. A masked

man runs into a sperm bank, and he

holds up the receptionist.

FRIEND#2

What, he had a gun?

FRIEND

Yeah, of course he’s got a gun, I

wouldn’t say he held up the bank

if he didn’t have a gun on him,

receptionist. She says to him:

"You’ve got the wrong bank, this

is a sperm bank! The one you want

is down the road!" "Nah," he says,

this is the right place."

(Beat.)

Right, so, he forces her into the

room where the "product" is kept

and tells her to take the top off

one of the bottles of sperm. "Now

drink it!" He demands. So she

takes the top off the bottle and...

glug... glug... glug, drinks it

all down.

FRIEND (CONT’D)

"Drink another," he shouts, so she

does exactly what he says. Off

comes the top of another bottle.

Glug... glug... glug... Right then

the masked man whips off his mask,

and it’s her husband. "There!" He

shouts. "I told you it wasn’t so

difficult, didn’t I?"

All the people LAUGH, except for Ryan. He talks to his

friend IAN, who was listening to the joke.

RYAN

I’m shooting off.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 2.

1 CONTINUED: 1

IAN

You okay Ryan? You don’t look too

good.

RYAN

I’ll be okay once I’ve had some

sleep.

IAN

It’s not Tom, is it? He’s been on

your case for the last month. You

should deck him.

RYAN

No, just tired. See you tomorrow,

Ian.

IAN

Night.

Ryan EXITS. Ian turns back to the group.

FRIEND

Here’s another: An Englishman, an

Irishman and a Scotsman visit a

brothel and mistake the madame’s

pet monkey for a prostitute...

2 2 EXT. RAILWAY LINE, SOUTH LONDON. NIGHT

It is late. The train from Victoria station rattles through

the suburbs.

3 3 INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE. NIGHT

The carriage is almost empty. There are only a few other

passengers.

Ryan is sitting with his head leaning against the window,

trying not to fall asleep.

Sitting in the compartment next to Ryan’s left is a welldressed,

handsome and charming man in his mid thirties.

He is CHAD EDMONDS.

Suddenly the train stops and the lights go out. Startled,

Ryan looks up.

RYAN

What...?

There is a long silence. He looks across at Chad, they

exchange a glance.

CHAD

They’ll be back on in a minute.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 3.

3 CONTINUED: 3

They wait, the lights still don’t come on.

CHAD (CONT’D)

I hope we’re not going to be here

all night.

RYAN

(Laughs nervously.)

They can’t just leave us here like

this.

CHAD

A friend of mine was once in a

situation like this. They were out

in the countryside, they had to

wait until dawn before another

could be brought alongside to rescue

them.

RYAN

Thanks for that.

CHAD

My pleasure.

Chad stands and makes to sit in the seat directly opposite

Ryan.

CHAD (CONT’D)

I hope you don’t mind?

RYAN

No. Go ahead.

CHAD

Seems a bit silly talking across a

gap.

Chad sits down.

CHAD (CONT’D)

My name’s Chad Edmonds.

Ryan doesn’t want to be bothered but he makes an effort.

RYAN

Ryan.

CHAD

Tell you the truth, I hate trains.

Never trusted anything I couldn’t

drive myself.

RYAN

So what are you doing here?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 4.

3 CONTINUED: (2) 3

CHAD

(Breaths out.)

Scotch. Been caught by the police

one too many times, the gamble

isn’t worth it any longer.

RYAN

You don’t think the driver’s died

at the wheel, do you?

CHAD

(Shrugs)

People die, and not always at the

most considerate times. My

grandfather died on the toilet.

RYAN

Oh no, you’re kidding me! Yes,

you’re kidding me.

They both LAUGH.

CHAD

(Shakes head.)

It’s true.

Ryan stops laughing abruptly.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Constipation, the strain was too

much for him. He had a heart attack.

Not the prettiest way to go, but

it certainly ensures you’ll never

be forgotten.

There is a silence. The lights are still out.

Chad takes out a pack of cigarettes and offers them to

Ryan.

RYAN

Thanks, but no.

CHAD

I’ve been trying to quit for years.

Never could get past the first

week.

Chad takes a cigarette and lights it. Ryan is tempted to

ask for one.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Where are you going?

RYAN

Home. Sutton.

(Beat.)

Is that offer still open?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 5.

3 CONTINUED: (3) 3

CHAD

Cigarette?

Ryan nods. Chad offers him the packet and he takes one.

Chad lights it.

CHAD (CONT’D)

(Nodding.)

How much money have you got on

you, Ryan?

Ryan stiffens at this.

RYAN

Not a lot.

CHAD

Twenty?

RYAN

Maybe. Something like that.

CHAD

Twenty quid the lights come on in

one minute.

RYAN

I don’t know.

Chad uses the flame from the lighter to illuminate the

hands on his watch. The second hand has just passed the

minute.

CHAD

Think about it, every second that

goes by the more likely I am to

lose.

Ryan thinks quickly. It seems a reasonable bet.

RYAN

Okay. Twenty. You’re on.

They both wait, watching the time.

CLOSE UP of Chad’s illuminated watch face, the seconds

come near to one minute and the lights still haven’t come

on.

The time moves to a few seconds after the minute and the

lights flicker and come on. Chad smiles.

CHAD

I don’t believe it! Looks like I

owe you.

He takes out his wallet.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 6.

3 CONTINUED: (4) 3

RYAN

Hey, don’t worry about it.

CHAD

Never make a bet you can’t afford

to lose.

Chad hands a twenty pound note to Ryan.

RYAN

Do you do this a lot?

CHAD

What, gamble in trains?

Ryan nods.

CHAD (CONT’D)

It beats the casino or the horses.

A real gambler doesn’t limit his

horizons. There’s a world of

opportunity out there, you’ve just

got to look in the right places.

The train begins to move again. Both Ryan and Chad breath

a sigh of relief.

CHAD (CONT’D)

How about coming back to my place

for a drink?

Ryan thinks about this and then smiles.

RYAN

Sure. Why not.

4 4 EXT. OUTSIDE CHAD’S SOUTH LONDON HOME. NIGHT

Chad’s house is a large detached house. Very expensive.

5 5 INT. CHAD’S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

While Ryan looks around the room Chad fixes two drinks.

The room is stylish, very much black and chrome. There are

many mementos from around the world hanging on the walls.

Chad offers one glass to Ryan, he takes it, then settles

down on an armchair.

RYAN

You take it seriously, don’t you?

Gambling.

CHAD

It helps pass the time.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 7.

5 CONTINUED: 5

Chad picks up a pack of cards and begins to shuffle them.

RYAN

What’s the most outrageous bet

you’ve done? You know, something

you’ve regretted.

CHAD

(Laughing.)

Oh, I’ve got to have some secrets.

Chad puts the cards down on the coffee table.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Sit down.

Ryan sits down opposite to Chad.

Chad turns over the top card. The card is the three of

diamonds.

CHAD (CONT’D)

What’s the chance the next card

will be higher? The odds are in

your favour.

RYAN

I don’t know.

CHAD

You won on the train. Maybe tonight

you’re on a winning streak. Believe

me, one day you can’t do anything

but lose, on another you’re raking

in cash hand over fist.

(Beat.)

What’s it worth?

Ryan takes out his wallet and looks inside it. He has plenty

of spare cash, maybe just under two hundred. He takes out

ten quid and lays it down. Chad matches him.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Okay, turn it over.

Ryan flips the card over. It is a Queen.

CHAD (CONT’D)

You win again.

He picks up the cards and shuffles them again.

CHAD (CONT’D)

You’ve never bet before?

RYAN

The odd flutter now and then.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 8.

5 CONTINUED: (2) 5

RYAN (CONT’D)

I do the football pools, lottery

ticket when it’s a roll-over, maybe

the Grand National, but nothing

serious.

CHAD

Let’s get serious.

He takes off the top card from the pack and lays it down.

It is the six of spades. He smiles at Ryan.

6 6 EXT. OUTSIDE RYAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

Ryan’s house is semidetached. Ryan walks up to the door

and lets himself in.

7 7 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, BEDROOM. NIGHT

The lights are off. Ryan’s young and beautiful wife,

Natalie, is asleep. Ryan stands in the door, the light

from the landing coming in.

He sits on the edge of the bed and opens his wallet. It is

full of cash. He is on a winning streak.

Natalie wakes. Ryan quickly puts the wallet back in his

pocket.

RYAN

Hello love.

NATALIE

You’re late.

He kisses her tenderly.

RYAN

Problems with the trains.

NATALIE

I was worried about you.

RYAN

You know me; avoid trouble like

the plague.

(Beat.)

I love you.

His hand caresses her face.

NATALIE

I love you too.

They kiss more passionately.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 9.

8 8 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, KITCHEN. NIGHT

Ryan’s baby son, PETER, sits in his high chair, stirring

liquefied Farley’s rusk with a spoon.

Natalie drinks coffee when Ryan enters. He is dressed for

work, his suit neatly pressed. He looks depressed.

NATALIE

Morning.

He doesn’t reply, kisses Natalie and then turns to Peter.

RYAN

Hi there, soldier. How’s it hanging?

NATALIE

(Laughing.)

Ryan!

Peter giggles and flicks the spoon. Farley’s rusk misses

Ryan by a millimeter.

RYAN

Whoa!

NATALIE

It’s probably his way of saying he

wants to see more of you.

Ryan turns to Natalie and takes her in his hands.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

I want to see more of you too.

RYAN

Don’t you think I’d love that.

NATALIE

Is everything okay at work? You

seem very down lately.

RYAN

(Lying.)

No, everything’s fine, why wouldn’t

it be?

NATALIE

Ryan, I’m your wife. I’m here to

share your worries. Why don’t you

tell me?

She waits, but he shakes his head. She changes the subject.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

What happened last night. You were

so... enthusiastic.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 10.

8 CONTINUED: 8

They both LAUGH.

RYAN

Maybe I just felt lucky.

He kisses her and then walks to the door. He waves to Peter.

RYAN (CONT’D)

See you later, Soldier.

Peter waves back.

9 9 INT. RYAN’S OFFICE. DAY

Ryan works at his neat desk in his neat office.

The door opens and his THOMAS, his senior manager, enters.

Thomas is a tall, stern man in his late forties.

THOMAS

What the fuck is happening?

RYAN

(Confused.)

Excuse me? I don’t know what you’re

talking...

THOMAS

(Interrupts.)

The report! Where’s the report?

RYAN

I’m working on it now, it’ll be

ready by three, just as you...

THOMAS

Three’s no good! The meeting’s at

ten, that’s in thirty minutes time.

RYAN

You told me three this afternoon.

THOMAS

Well, it’s been changed. You better

have those figures on my desk in

half an hour or I’ll have your

head instead.

Thomas walks to the door, he looks back.

THOMAS (CONT’D)

Ryan, this company runs on

deadlines. If you can’t keep to

them, do us all a favour and get

out.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 11.

9 CONTINUED: 9

He EXITS. Thomas looks miserable. He takes out his wallet

and removes from it a small slip of paper, written on it

there is a number. Chad’s telephone number.

10 10 INT. LONDON RESTAURANT. NIGHT

The restaurant is expensive. Ryan walks towards a table

where Chad is already waiting. Chad stands and they shakes

hands.

CHAD

What with all the cash you took

off me last night, you should be

treating me.

They LAUGH and sit.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Good day?

RYAN

So, so.

CHAD

Looks like you’ve been pulled

through a hedge backwards.

RYAN

It’s my director, he’s been giving

me grief. Whatever I do is wrong,

doesn’t say a thing.

CHAD

And you’re fed up?

RYAN

I wouldn’t...

CHAD

(Interrupting.)

It’s psychology, Ryan. Humans,

we’re hunters, entrepreneurs. Desk

work and pen-pushing, that’s for

sheep.

RYAN

So, what are you saying, that I

should take up fox hunting?

CHAD

No, it was just a metaphor. If

you’re not striving you’re sinking.

Ryan isn’t sure if he believes all this.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 12.

10 CONTINUED: 10

CHAD (CONT’D)

Just something a good friend of

mine said once.

A WAITER arrives with a bottle of wine.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Lets’ have some wine. Alcohol always

puts a pleasant slant on matters.

They watch as the Waiter pours a little, Chad tastes it

and nods.

CHAD (CONT’D)

That’s good.

The Waiter walks away.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Ryan, what do you believe in?

RYAN

Believe in?

(Beat.)

My family, I suppose.

Ryan takes out his wallet and removes a photograph showing

Natalie and Peter. He hands it proudly to Chad.

RYAN (CONT’D)

(Pointing to

photograph.)

That’s my wife, Natalie.

CHAD

She’s gorgeous! How did an old dog

like you wind up with someone like

her, eh?

RYAN

(Laughing.)

Luck, I suppose. And that’s Peter.

CHAD

How old is he?

RYAN

Eight months.

CHAD

They’re nice at that age.

RYAN

You got any kids?

CHAD

Nah.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 13.

10 CONTINUED: (2) 10

RYAN

(Nods.)

Peter’s a great guy. I call him my

little soldier.

Chad hands the photograph back to Ryan. It is replaced in

the wallet.

CHAD

Did you tell her about yesterday?

RYAN

(Shakes head.)

She doesn’t approve of gambling.

CHAD

Why are women always so wise. It’s

annoying isn’t it?

RYAN

(Laughs.)

Yeah, I suppose so.

Chad nods over to the corner of the restaurant.

CHAD

Look over there.

Ryan follows his gaze. Three beautiful young women are

enjoying a meal together. The one Chad is referring to is

a GORGEOUS GIRL with red hair.

CHAD (CONT’D)

The girl with red hair. Gorgeous

isn’t she?

RYAN

I suppose, but I’m married. I’m

not even meant to look at another

woman without crossing myself.

CHAD

Don’t be ashamed, Ryan. It’s

programmed into your genes. You

can’t fight five million years of

evolution.

Ryan looks down.

CHAD (CONT’D)

What sort of underwear do you think

she’s wearing?

RYAN

Oh, I don’t know.

CHAD

Red. Just like her hair.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 14.

10 CONTINUED: (3) 10

Chad pushes two hundred pounds across the table.

RYAN

What’s this?

CHAD

You know.

RYAN

How the hell are we meant to find

out?

Chad grins.

11 11 EXT. ALLEYWAY. NIGHT

Ryan stands around the corner while Chad and the Gorgeous

Girl kiss in alleyway.

CHAD

Jesus, you’re so fucking beautiful.

He hikes up her skirt.

GORGEOUS GIRL

(Weakly.)

No...

CHAD

Don’t worry, I’m a perfect

gentleman.

CLOSE on Ryan’s face. He hears them LAUGH. Ryan closes his

eyes, listening as they make love. He is repulsed, but

also exhilarated.

It’s over quickly.

CHAD (O.S.) (CONT’D)

Ryan, your turn.

(Laughs.)

This bitch is insatiable.

Ryan doesn’t answer. Chad appears, doing up his zipper.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Come on mate, she wants you badly.

Come on!

GORGEOUS GIRL

Ryan, I’m waiting.

Chad coax’s Ryan around the corner. The Gorgeous Girl is

leaning against the wall, waiting for him.

Chad holds up her panties. They are red.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 15.

11 CONTINUED: 11

CHAD

That’s three hundred you owe me,

friend.

He pushes Ryan towards the Girl. The Girl grabs him and

pulls him towards her. She kisses him. At first he doesn’t

respond, but soon he joins in enthusiastically.

CHAD (CONT’D)

(Nodding.)

You’re getting the hang of it now.

It’s like riding a bicycle.

12 12 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, BEDROOM. NIGHT

It’s late. Ryan stands in the doorway. Natalie is sleeping.

13 13 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, BATHROOM. NIGHT

Ryan stands under the shower, letting the water run over

his face.

He hears Peter CRYING (OS).

14 14 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, PETER’S NURSERY. NIGHT

Ryan enters the darkened nursery, drying his hair. Natalie

is already lifting the CRYING baby from his crib. She

holds a bottle.

NATALIE

He’s hungry.

RYAN

You go back to bed, I’ll feed him.

NATALIE

You sure?

He nods. She hands Peter to Ryan. Natalie EXITS.

Ryan sits down, takes the bottles and puts it to Peter’s

lips. Peter immediately begins to suckle.

RYAN

(Whispers.)

You know something, Peter, you’re

old man envies you. You can be

anything you want, no regrets.

(Beat.)

I’ll tell you a secret. Just between

you and me. I hate my life. I

really don’t know where to turn

anymore.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 16.

14 CONTINUED: 14

He kisses Peter’s forehead.

15 15 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, BEDROOM. NIGHT

Ryan walks back into the bedroom. Natalie is in bed, waiting

for him.

RYAN

He’s settled down for the night.

He undresses.

NATALIE

Ryan, you’re a good father.

Ryan doesn’t answer. He climbs into bed. She moves towards

him, but he moves away from her. She turns over and goes

to sleep. Ryan looks up at the ceiling.

16 16 INT. RYAN’S CAR, CENTRAL LONDON. NIGHT

Chad drives through London, Ryan sits beside him.

CHAD

Let’s put a stick to this ant-hill.

They both grin.

17 17 INT. THE DOGS. NIGHT

Chad and Ryan cheer on their racing Greyhounds. They both

tear up their betting slips in disgust.

18 18 INT. PUB. NIGHT

Chad pockets the black on the pool table while Ryan watches.

He holds out his hand to his opponent, a seven foot tall

HEAVY METAL FAN. The Fan pays him his winnings.

19 19 INT. NIGHTCLUB. NIGHT

The place is busy, the lights strobe, the MUSIC LOUD.

Ryan dances with a young BEAUTIFUL GIRL. He takes her hand

and leads her off the dance floor. Chad is drinking a

lager at the bar, he holds out a handful of twenties and

Ryan takes them as he passes.

20 20 INT. RYAN’S CAR, LONDON NCP CAR PARK. NIGHT

Ryan and the Beautiful girl make love on the back seat.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 17.

21 21 EXT. LONDON BRIDGE. NIGHT

Ryan and Chad lean on the railing, looking down at the

dark water below. Chad is smoking a fat cigar.

RYAN

Those will kill you, you know.

CHAD

You wanna bet.

They both LAUGH.

CHAD (CONT’D)

What happened to that girl from

the club?

RYAN

I don’t know, and to tell you the

truth I don’t care.

CHAD

I want you to meet a good friend

of mine tomorrow. I’ve told him

about you, he’s interested in seeing

you.

RYAN

Why?

CHAD

He likes people. He’s a people

person.

Ryan points further along the bridge.

RYAN

Look over there.

Chad does. A SUICIDAL MAN, who has moved to the middle of

the bridge, is climbing over the railing.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Jesus, he’s going to jump.

CHAD

Five hundred he bottles it.

RYAN

We should do something, try and

talk him out of it.

CHAD

And say what? Maybe he doesn’t

want to be saved. Let him be.

RYAN

I can’t just watch!

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 18.

21 CONTINUED: 21

Ryan makes a move towards the Suicidal Man, but he has

only taken a few steps when the Man leaps off the bridge.

Ryan runs along the bridge and looks down into the Thames.

There is no sign of the man.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Oh my God!

Chad holds out a bundle of pound notes towards him.

RYAN (CONT’D)

What’s that?

CHAD

You won. I said he wouldn’t jump.

Ryan looks at the money, and then takes it guiltily. He

hurries on.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Where are you going now?

RYAN

To get the police.

Chad follows Ryan, shaking his head.

22 22 INT. RYAN’S OFFICE. DAY

Ryan is depressed. He sits at his desk, staring at his

computer screen and repeatedly flicking a rubber-band. A

SECRETARY peers in.

SECRETARY

Thomas is on the warpath. He’s

looking for you.

RYAN

Oh, shit!

He gets up from his chair.

23 23 INT. OFFICE, MEN’S TOILET CUBICLE. DAY

Ryan waits, sitting on the toilet (seat down).

There is a loud KNOCK on the cubicle door.

THOMAS

Ryan, I saw you sneaking in here.

Open the door.

Ryan sighs.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 19.

23 CONTINUED: 23

THOMAS (CONT’D)

Come on, open it!

Ryan opens the door.

24 24 INT. OFFICE, MEN’S TOILET. DAY

Thomas is waiting for Ryan.

THOMAS

What’s happening to you, Ryan?

You’re work’s gone to shit, you

just sit in that office scratching

your arse all day. When I hired

you you were the best man we had,

now you’re just a waste of space.

(Beat.)

What do you have to say?

Ryan looks at him, then head-butts him. Thomas falls to

the floor, his nose broken. He looks up at Ryan, scared.

RYAN

I think that says just about

everything.

Ryan EXITS.

25 25 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM. DAY

Ryan is slumped in front of the television, flicking through

the stations. Natalie enters with Peter in her arms.

NATALIE

What are you doing here? Are you

feeling unwell?

RYAN

No.

NATALIE

Did you take the day off?

RYAN

(Angrily.)

Why do you always ask so many

questions? Why can’t you just leave

me alone for one minute!

NATALIE

Well, I’m sorry. I didn’t know I

had a second baby in the house.

RYAN

Jesus!

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 20.

25 CONTINUED: 25

Ryan jumps to his feet and walks to the door.

NATALIE

Where are you going?

RYAN

I’ll know when I get there, won’t

I.

He EXITS to the hall.

26 26 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, HALLWAY. DAY

Natalie follows him. He pulls on his coat.

NATALIE

What’s the matter with you? You’ve

become almost impossible to live

with. Secretive, lonely, angry.

Even Peter doesn’t like you picking

him up anymore.

RYAN

It’s always been obvious who he

preferred.

Ryan EXITS.

NATALIE

Ryan!

She follows him.

27 27 EXT. OUTSIDE RYAN’S HOUSE. DAY

Ryan walks down the path. Natalie appears in the doorway.

NATALIE

Ryan?

He doesn’t answer.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Ryan, I don’t want you to come

home until you’ve sorted yourself

out. You can go sleep in the fucking

gutter for all I care!

He walks away. She watches him go, wanting him to return.

A Police car pulls up outside the house. Two POLICEMEN

climb out and approach her.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 21.

28 28 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD. DAY

An expensive Mercedes Benz drives down the country lane.

It belongs to Chad.

29 29 INT. CHAD’S CAR, COUNTRY ROAD. DAY

While Chad drives Ryan sits in the passenger seat.

CHAD

Not far to go now.

30 30 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD, MANOR HOUSE GATES. DAY

The car stops at a large pair of iron-wrought gates that

leads into a short driveway. The gates open by themselves

and the Mercedes drives through. One gate post has a camera

perched on the top, it follows the car as it approaches

the house.

31 31 EXT. MANOR HOUSE DRIVE. NIGHT

The car parks outside a manor house. The house isn’t huge,

but still large enough to belong to an extremely wealthy

man.

Ryan and Chad climb out of the car. Ryan looks at the house

in amazement.

RYAN

Who lives here?

CHAD

The friend I was telling you about

the other day. He’s looking forward

to meeting you.

32 32 INT. MANOR HOUSE, STUDY. NIGHT

Chad leads Ryan into an elegant, but messy, study. PATRICK

ORWELL, an American, sits reading. He is in his sixties,

but looks much younger. He is charismatic, energetic.

PATRICK

(Standing.)

Chad!

CHAD

I’ve brought a good friend to see

you. This is Ryan. Ryan, Patrick

Orwell.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 22.

32 CONTINUED: 32

PATRICK

A friend of Chad’s is a friend of

mine.

Patrick and Ryan shake hands.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Please, sit down. Chad, you know

where the Scotch is. Do the honours,

will you?

CHAD

No problem.

Chad moves to a side table which is cluttered with many

bottles of spirits, many of them almost empty.

Patrick leans across to Ryan.

PATRICK

So, Ryan, tell me, how did you and

Chad meet?

RYAN

By accident, really.

PATRICK

Nothing happens to Chad by accident.

He was always good at making

friends. I, on the other hand,

have always been difficult to get

along with, despite my reputation.

Chad returns with the drinks, one for Ryan and one for

Patrick.

CHAD

Don’t believe a word he says.

PATRICK

Tell my wives that.

They all LAUGH.

CHAD

Patrick’s what you might call a

motivational guru. I’m surprised

you haven’t heard of him. He writes

books and tapes. "Don’t be shy";

"just get off your fat arse", that

sort of stuff.

PATRICK

It’s mostly corporate stuff. I

also hold seminars for joe public,

but I’m getting too tired for that

circus now.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 23.

32 CONTINUED: (2) 32

CHAD

I’ve never know someone to make so

much money from so much bullshit.

PATRICK

Chad!

CHAD

He’s also a compulsive gambler. If

it wasn’t for huge international

sales he’d probably be begging on

the streets by now. How much do

you have left?

PATRICK

There’s enough left in the kitty.

(Beat.)

Unlike you, Chad, I believe my own

advice. And if I did find myself

short then all I’d have to do is

write another book and I’ll be

okay, at least for a few years.

RYAN

What are you working on at the

moment?

PATRICK

It’s a personal project.

RYAN

So, what’s the bet?

PATRICK

Why do you think there’s a bet?

RYAN

What else have you two got to do

with your time?

PATRICK

Maybe we play chess.

RYAN

You don’t seem the chess-playing

type.

(Beat.)

What’s the bet?

Chad and Patrick exchange a glance.

CHAD

Not what, but who.

PATRICK

You’re the bet, Ryan.

Ryan jumps up. Patrick chuckles.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 24.

32 CONTINUED: (3) 32

RYAN

(To Chad.)

What are you talking about?

CHAD

Exactly what he said, you’re the

bet.

Alarmed, Ryan takes a step back.

RYAN

Jesus! I don’t believe this. What

was it?

The two men are silent.

RYAN (CONT’D)

(To Chad.)

What did you bet him? That I’d be

a sucker to fall for everything

you said?

PATRICK

If you don’t like it, you can go.

There’s the door.

The two men watch Ryan in earnest.

Ryan is unsure what to do, he heads towards the door and

then stops. He returns and sits down.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Damnation!

Chad LAUGHS, Patrick looks disappointed.

RYAN

What’s going on?

PATRICK

I just lost. Chad bet me a grand

that if we said we had a bet on

you, you would stay. I thought

you’d walk out on us.

Ryan is visibly relieved.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

You see, Ryan, like I said, you’ve

got to be prepared to bet on

anything. On how high a flea will

jump, how fast a man you’ve never

met before can drink a pint of

beer; how many miners make it out

of a collapsed tunnel alive.

RYAN

You were testing me?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 25.

32 CONTINUED: (4) 32

CHAD

In a way. Yeah, okay, we were.

RYAN

Did I pass?

PATRICK

Who’s to say we’ve finished.

Patrick downs the Scotch in one go. Ryan and Chad follow

him.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Let’s go.

33 33 EXT. DESERTED WEST END STREET. NIGHT

The street is quiet. Patrick, Ryan and Chad walk up to a

nondescript metal door.

PATRICK

Ryan, if anyone ever asks you about

this place, it doesn’t exist. The

people who run this place can get

a bit over-protective.

Patrick knocks on the door. A moment later it is opened by

a SHABBY MAN in dirty jeans and T-shirt.

SHABBY MAN

What do you want?

PATRICK

To see Alphonse.

The Shabby Man opens the door and lets them in.

34 34 INT. CASINO, CORRIDOR. NIGHT

The three men walk along a narrow, dirty corridor.

RYAN

What was that all about?

PATRICK

Password, just like you see in the

gangster movies from the prohibition

era. If you don’t know the password

you don’t get in. The password

changes every day: A for Alphonse,

B for Benny, C for Conrad. After

twenty-seven days were back to

Alphonse again.

They reach a door at the end. Chad opens it and they walk

through into...

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 26.

35 35 INT. ILLEGAL CASINO. NIGHT

The room is large, sumptuous, but that is only window

dressing, everything can be crated up and shipped out in a

few hours. There are several roulette tables, craps, blackjack,

etc. The CROUPIERS are professional, beautiful GIRLS

walk around carrying trays of champagne. The clientele are

well dressed, mostly male, concerned with losing their

money.

PATRICK

Your over-protective British law

doesn’t apply here, just the house

rules. No bet under three hundred,

bets over thirty thousand must be

approved by the management, but

I’ve seen it go much higher.

(Beat.)

But these are just toys for the

boys. The real game’s this way.

He leads them through the room towards a door at the far

end. A muscle-bound bouncer, SIMON stands by the door,

guarding it. When he sees Patrick he stands aside.

SIMON

Good evening, Mr Orwell.

PATRICK

Evening Simon, these are friends

of mine.

Simon opens the door for them.

36 36 INT. ILLEGAL CASINO, CLUB ROOM. NIGHT

They enter a large room with expensive upholstered leather

chairs and, in the centre, a small green baize table. Sat

around it are four powerful, grim-faced men. One is Edward,

the owner, the others are Malcolm, his right hand man,

John and Ralph, his friends. They are playing poker.

Ralph, looks up and grins when he sees Patrick.

RALPH

Paddy, you come here to join us?

We’re screwing John into the ground.

Any moment now and you’re going to

hear his pips squeak.

Malcolm scowls, not happy to see Patrick.

JOHN

(Scowling.)

Someone’s cheating.

The others react badly to this.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 27.

36 CONTINUED: 36

MALCOLM

That’s a bad accusation to make,

John. You know how the club deals

with cheats. I hope you’re going

to retract it?

John stares at Malcolm, and then looks to Edward.

EDWARD

You know the rules, John.

John throws his cards down.

JOHN

I apologise, I didn’t mean what I

said. I’m just... really pissed

off!

John stands, pulling on his jacket.

JOHN (CONT’D)

Maybe my luck will be better

tomorrow.

He EXITS. Edward turns to Patrick.

EDWARD

Patrick, what is it with you? Bad

luck seems to follow you around

like a little dog.

PATRICK

That’s funny, I’m my own lucky

charm.

(Beat.)

I’ve got a bet for you boys.

The three remaining poker players look up, obviously

interested.

EDWARD

What is it? Poker?

PATRICK

Poker’s not my game. Turn of the

card. Best of three. Ryan, here,

against you.

EDWARD

Alright. How much?

PATRICK

Five hundred.

RALPH

(Whispering to Chad.)

That’s not much.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 28.

36 CONTINUED: (2) 36

CHAD

(To Ryan.)

Five hundred thousand.

Edward thinks about it, then smiles.

EDWARD

Okay, you’re on.

John takes out a fresh sealed pack of cards. They are

inspected by both Edward and Patrick, both nod. John breaks

the seal and shuffles the cards. He then deals three cards

to John and three to patrick.

JOHN

Edward goes first.

Ryan looks nervously at Chad.

CHAD

Don’t worry. We did the same thing

the other night, remember? You won

easily.

Edward turns over the first card, it is the seven of

diamonds.

Ryan gulps and turns over his card, it is the King of

hearts.

JOHN

First card goes to Patrick. Edward.

Edward turns over the second card, it is the third of clubs.

Ryan, his hand shaking, turns over and reveals the two of

diamonds.

RYAN

Shit!

JOHN

Last card decides.

EDWARD

(To patrick.)

Why not make it eight hundred?

Patrick is now nervous.

EDWARD (CONT’D)

There’s not much in it. And I know

you’ve got more than two brass

farthings to rub together.

Patrick nods.

Edward turns over his last card, it is the five of clubs.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 29.

36 CONTINUED: (3) 36

CHAD

(Under his breath.)

Straight down the middle!

Ryan is very nervous. He fingers the card and turns it

over slowly. Suddenly, before he can turn it over Malcolm

grabs Ryan’s hand and turns it over, a hidden card falls

to the table, a King of clubs.

MALCOLM

The bastard’s cheating!

RYAN

What?

Edward and Malcolm stand angrily.

EDWARD

You dare to cheat here! In my

casino?

RYAN

I didn’t cheat! That card’s not

mine! I swear...!

(Points at Malcolm.)

He planted it on me.

EDWARD

(Standing. Calls

out.)

Simon.

The door opens and the Simon steps in.

RYAN

For God’s sake, I didn’t...! You

believe me, don’t you?

Chad turns him around.

CHAD

Shut up, for fuck’s sake! Do you

want to get us all killed?

Edward and Patrick face each other.

PATRICK

I don’t know how this could have

happened, Edward. I believed I

could trust him.

EDWARD

You know the rules Patrick. You

pay me triple now and you walk out

of here.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 30.

36 CONTINUED: (4) 36

PATRICK

I can have it to you by tomorrow

evening.

EDWARD

Because you’ve always kept your

word in the past, I’ll trust you

this time. But he’s going to have

to learn the hard way.

Edward points to Ryan. Immediately Simon grabs Ryan by the

neck and drags him out the room.

RYAN

No! I didn’t do anything wrong! I

didn’t cheat.

Ryan and simon EXIT. As soon as they have Edward and Patrick

smile.

EDWARD

I say you still can’t do it.

PATRICK

You want to raise me?

37 37 EXT. ALLEYWAY OUTSIDE ILLEGAL CASINO. NIGHT

Simon beats Ryan senseless. As soon as he’s done simon

rubs his hands together.

SIMON

Next time and I’ll kill you.

He walks away. Chad approaches him.

CHAD

What the fuck were you thinking

of? You can’t play around with

these guys! Are you mad?

RYAN

Chad, you know me, I couldn’t do

anything like that.

Chad helps Ryan to his feet.

CHAD

Come on, Patrick’s waiting in the

car.

They hurry away as fast as they can.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 31.

38 38 INT. CHAD’S CAR, LONDON. NIGHT

Chad drives faster than he should. Patrick sits in the

front passenger seat while Ryan sits in the back, doubled

up in pain.

PATRICK

(Angrily.)

I can’t believe that Edward would

cheat on me like that! I’ve known

him too long for that.

CHAD

There’s a first time for everything.

RYAN

Malcolm had the King. I never had

anything to do with it.

PATRICK

Shut up! This is serious. If there’s

one thing a gambler needs more

than anything else, even luck,

it’s his reputation.

CHAD

How can we prove that Malcolm

planted the card?

PATRICK

We can’t.

CHAD

Yes, we can.

He turns the steering wheel savagely.

39 39 EXT. LONDON STREET. NIGHT

Chad’s car turns, tyres screaming, and heads back the way

it came.

40 40 EXT. OUTSIDE MALCOLM’S KENSINGTON HOME. NIGHT

Chad’s car is parked across the street. Another car parks

outside the house and Malcolm climbs out. He unlocks the

door and lets himself in.

41 41 INT. CHAD’S CAR, OUTSIDE MALCOLM’S WESTMINSTER HOME. NIGHT

Chad opens the door and climbs out.

Patrick follows him, so does Ryan.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 32.

42 42 EXT. OUTSIDE MALCOLM’S WESTMINSTER HOME. NIGHT

The three men head across to the house.

RYAN

What are you going to do?

CHAD

(Ignoring Ryan, to

Patrick.)

Has he got a wife?

PATRICK

He had a Thai bride a few years

ago, but they split up after a

month.

Ryan approaches the front door and presses the bell.

43 43 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Malcolm heads back to the door and unlocks it. As soon as

he does so Chad kicks the door in and forces his way inside.

Malcolm is furious. Patrick and Ryan follow him. Patrick

makes sure the door is shut behind him, and locks it.

MALCOLM

Patrick! Get the hell out of my

house!

PATRICK

You planted the card on Ryan, didn’t

you?

MALCOLM

I did no such thing.

(Turns to phone and

begins dialing.)

I’m calling Edward.

Chad grabs the phone from Malcolm’s hand and rips it from

the wall.

CHAD

You’re not doing anything Malcolm,

until you’ve told us what we want

to hear.

MALCOLM

I’ll tell you what you want to

hear all right: go fuck yourselves!

Chad punches Malcolm in the face. Malcolm falls to the

ground, his nose and lip bleeding.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 33.

43 CONTINUED: 43

CHAD

(To Malcolm.)

Where’s a tape recorder?

MALCOLM

Why?

CHAD

Because I want to tape your

confession for posterity.

Malcolm is quiet. Chad slaps him hand around the face.

RYAN

(Shocked.)

Jesus! No!

CHAD

Well?

MALCOLM

I don’t know. I can’t think!

Chad punches him in the stomach. Malcolm groans, writhing

on the floor.

CHAD

Let’s start from the top: a tape

recorder, I want one.

MALCOLM

Living room.

CHAD

Now we’re getting somewhere.

Chad grabs Malcolm by the shoulders and drags him into the

living room.

44 44 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

Leaving Malcolm lying on the floor, Chad checks the midi

system in the corner. Patrick enters. Ryan hangs back in

the door, terrified.

CHAD

Cheap shit, I haven’t got a clue

Malcolm would want with karaoke?

But it’ll do.

He sorts through a pile of cassettes. He finds a recordable

one and slips it into the machine.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Now how do you work this...?

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 34.

44 CONTINUED: 44

CHAD (CONT’D)

(Into machine.)

Testing, testing, one, two, three.

The rain is Spain...

PATRICK

(Interrupting.)

Stop messing about, Chad! We don’t

have time!

Chad rewinds the tape and plays back his message. He grabs

Malcolm and drags him over to the machine, the starts the

tape.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Okay, tell them, Malcolm.

MALCOLM

Give me a moment.

CHAD

You’ve just had it. Start with

"I’d just like to say."

MALCOLM

I’d like to say... that Chad and

Patrick are faggots who like fucking

each other up the arse!

Ryan kicks Malcolm in the ribs. He rewinds the tape and

starts recording again.

RYAN

Wrong! Let’s try that one more

time.

MALCOLM

(Gasping.)

I think my ribs are broken.

(Beat.)

No matter what you do to me, you

bastard, I’ll never say what you

want! You can go and suck my cock!

Chad’s face flushes red with anger. He punches Malcolm and

knocks him out. He stands and walks to the door, taking a

reluctant Ryan with him.

RYAN

You’re not going to kill him, are

you.

CHAD

Not yet. Let’s see what we can

find.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 35.

45 45 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Chad and Ryan climb the stairs.

46 46 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

Patrick sits down, keeping an eye on Malcolm’s unconscious

body.

47 47 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, BEDROOM. NIGHT

While Ryan watches Chad turns out the cupboard. He finds a

cricket bat.

CHAD

I’d never have thought that Malcolm

was the cricket type.

He tries swinging it a few times, then hands it to Ryan.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Take it.

RYAN

(Reluctant.)

Why would I need it?

CHAD

Ryan takes the bat.

Chad pulls more stuff out of the cupboard, at last he comes

across golf clubs. He takes out one.

CHAD (CONT’D)

This is more like it.

Carrying the golf club, Chad exits, Ryan follows him.

48 48 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Chad and Ryan hurry down the stairs.

RYAN

What are we going to do?

CHAD

Will you stop asking that, you’re

really getting on my tits!

Chad sighs, stops and faces Ryan.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 36.

48 CONTINUED: 48

CHAD (CONT’D)

Listen Ryan, I hate this as much

as you do, but believe me, this is

your life we’re trying to save. Go

soft on me now and we’re both sunk.

Chad and Ryan enter the living room.

49 49 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

Malcolm is sitting on the sofa, a gun aimed at Patrick’s

head.

MALCOLM

Take one step closer and I’ll put

a bullet through this bastard’s

brain.

CHAD

Hey, Malcolm, you know we were

just playing with you. We were

never going to hurt you.

Both Chad and Malcolm look at the golf club in Chad’s hands.

Chad drops it quickly and smiles sweetly.

CHAD (CONT’D)

I’m thinking of taking up golf.

(Beat.)

What’s your handicap?

MALCOLM

Go to hell. Now, phone Edward.

CHAD

Why on Earth would I want to speak

to him?

MALCOLM

You’re going to tell him to come

over.

PATRICK

Malcolm, we can sort this out

between ourselves, no need to bring

Edward in. I can get you...

MALCOLM

Shut up!

(To Chad.)

The phone.

CHAD

Where is it?

Malcolm indicates behind him.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 37.

49 CONTINUED: 49

CHAD (CONT’D)

Okay, don’t do anything silly. I’m

going.

Keeping his hands up Chad circles the room towards the

phone. Chad watches him, turning his back to Ryan.

MALCOLM

Pick it up.

CHAD

I don’t know his number.

MALCOLM

That’s alright, I know it off by

heart. But if you try to pull a

fast one, I swear, I’ll kill you

all.

(Here he gives the

telephone number.)

Chad dials as Malcolm gives the number. He listens on the

phone.

MALCOLM (CONT’D)

Has he answered?

CHAD

Not yet. Wait.

They wait a moment.

MALCOLM

Well?

CHAD

It’s a bit embarrassing.

MALCOLM

Put it on the speaker.

Chad puts the call through to the speaker. A SEXY WOMAN’s

VOICE comes from the phone.

SEXY WOMAN’S VOICE

I’m squeezing my breasts between

my hands... ohhh... my nipples are

soooo hard. Don’t you just want to

lick and tease them?

MALCOLM

You bastard!

Malcolm raises the gun to shoot Chad.

CHAD

Ryan!

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 38.

49 CONTINUED: (2) 49

Ryan lifts the cricket bat, and hesitates.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Do it!

Malcolm begins to turn. Ryan brings the bat down hard on

Malcolm’s head; he falls to the floor, GROANING. Chad

grabs the golf club up from the floor and strikes Malcolm.

While Ryan watches in horror Chad repeatedly hits Malcolm

until he stops moving. A large puddle of blood forms on

the carpet.

RYAN

Oh my God! Is he dead?

CHAD

I bloody well hope so.

Chad swings the golf club down hard on Malcolm’s head.

CHAD (CONT’D)

He is now.

RYAN

We killed him.

CHAD

Self defense. It was him or us.

Patrick is on his feet and makes for the door.

PATRICK

Don’t just stand there. Let’s get

out of here!

Patrick EXITS.

RYAN

What about him?

CHAD

Leave him to the rats.

Chad EXITS, Ryan follows.

50 50 INT. CHAD’S CAR, LONDON. NIGHT

Chad drives. Patrick and Ryan stare straight ahead. Nobody

says a word.

51 51 EXT. WASTE GROUND. NIGHT

Chad’s car pulls off the road onto waste ground and parks.

Chad jumps out and screams.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 39.

51 CONTINUED: 51

CHAD

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

Patrick and Ryan also climb out.

PATRICK

Get a grip of yourself!

CHAD

Do you know what we’ve just done?

We’ve just signed our death

warrants. Once Edward finds out

that Ryan killed Malcolm we’ll all

be fucked!

Suddenly Chad starts laughing, a moment later Patrick joins

him.

RYAN

Why are you laughing? What’s there

to laugh about?

Both men are laughing so hard they can’t answer.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Chad faces Ryan, grinning from ear to ear.

CHAD

You want to know the truth, Ryan?

Ryan can only stare at him.

CHAD (CONT’D)

We’ve sold you down the river.

RYAN

What?

PATRICK

We had a little bet.

CHAD

Patrick thought you didn’t have

the guts to kill someone. But I

thought you were quite capable.

RYAN

(Stunned.)

But Malcolm? He was going to kill

us?

CHAD

Oh no, he was in on the plan from

the start, but we forgot to mention

one tiny little detail.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 40.

51 CONTINUED: (2) 51

PATRICK

Some things just can’t be faked.

RYAN

I don’t believe you! You’re lying!

CHAD

It’s true. Look.

Chad takes Malcolm’s gun from his pocket, aims it at Ryan’s

body and fires several times. There are shots, but Ryan

isn’t hit.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Blanks. We were never in any danger.

They were just blanks. Harmless.

Chad and Patrick laugh again.

RYAN

You...! I murdered...!

PATRICK

I know! Funny isn’t it? It’s just

a pity about your family.

RYAN

(Coldly.)

My family?

CHAD

Someone had to take the rap, and

it’s you. I’m sorry, but whatever

Edward is, he’s not a gentleman.

He always goes for the underbelly.

His men are probably on their way

to your home right now.

Ryan backs away from them, towards the car. He climbs into

the car. Neither Chad or Patrick bother to stop him, they

are both busy laughing.

52 52 INT. CHAD’S CAR, WASTE GROUND. NIGHT

The keys are still in the ignition. Ryan urgently fires

the engine and turns the wheel.

53 53 EXT. WASTE GROUND. NIGHT

Chad and Patrick watch as Ryan drives the car back onto

the road and zooms off.

CHAD

(Waving.)

Bye!

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 41.

54 54 INT. CHAD’S CAR, LONDON. NIGHT

Ryan’s face is grim as he stares at the road. The road

markings, the passing headlights and the street lamps become

a blur.

55 55 EXT. OUTSIDE RYAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

All the lights are out. Chad’s car comes to a screeching

halt. Ryan jumps out and races to the front door, it is

open. He ENTERS.

56 56 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Ryan turns on the lights.

RYAN

Natalie? Natalie? Where are you?.

He looks down. There is a trail of blood leading towards

the kitchen.

RYAN (CONT’D)

No!

He follows the blood.

57 57 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, KITCHEN. NIGHT

Ryan turns on the lights. The trail of blood leads right

up to the over. The oven’s door is shut, it also smeared

with bloody hand prints.

Terrified at what he might discover, Ryan slowly approaches

the oven. He touches the handle and opens it.

Ryan’s eyes open wide in horror at what he sees inside the

oven. He throws himself back across the kitchen, speechless.

He climbs to his feet and runs out the door.

58 58 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Ryan’s POV: as he runs down the hallway it seems to twist

like a corkscrew.

59 59 EXT. OUTSIDE RYAN’S HOUSE. NIGHT

Exiting the house, Ryan runs past the car and heads off

down the road. He SCREAMS.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 42.

60 60 EXT. LONDON BRIDGE. NIGHT

Standing at the exact point where the suicide stood a few

days before, Ryan looks down into the black water. He is

crying. There is nobody around to stop him. He takes off

his jacket and shoes and drops them to the ground.

Clambering over the railing he balances on the edge,

clasping the railings behind him. Then he steps forward

and falls into the Thames.

FADE TO BLACK

61 61 INT. HOSPITAL WARD. DAY

Ryan wakes up with a GASP.

A NURSE sees him and walks over.

NURSE

Don’t be alarmed, you’re in

hospital. I’ll get the doctor.

She hurries away and returns with a DOCTOR.

DOCTOR

Good morning. You’ve been asleep

for twelve hours. How do you feel?

Ryan doesn’t reply.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)

We didn’t find any identification

on you, can you at least tell me

your name?

Still Ryan doesn’t react.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)

Okay, there’s no hurry. Is there

any pain?

(Waits for reply.)

Can you nod, or shake your head?

Ryan doesn’t react.

DOCTOR (CONT’D)

(Checks chart.)

Mild hypothermia, but nothing too

serious. You’re a really lucky, it

was a million to one chance the

Thames Police fished you out of

the water as soon as they did.

(Beat.)

I can arrange counseling for you,

I that’s what you want?

Ryan shuts his eyes.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 43.

62 62 INT. HOSPITAL WARD. DAY

Ryan wakes. Detective Inspector Dale stands nearby, talking

to the nurse. As soon as she sees that Ryan is awake she

hurries over to him.

NURSE

There’s someone here who wants to

speak to you, Mr Cole. He wants to

ask you some questions.

DI Dale, stands behind the Nurse.

DALE.

I might be able to help you, Mr

Cole.

After a moment Ryan nods. While the Nurse pulls the curtain,

Dale drags up a chair and sits down.

DALE. (CONT’D)

A pedestrian found your coat and

wallet up on London Bridge. They

handed them in to their local police

station; we don’t often see such

honesty these days.

(Beat.)

I’ve got a lot of questions to ask

you, if you don’t mind? Maybe

it’s best if I begin with what I

know.

(Beat.)

There seems to be some confusion

as to what exactly happened last

night. I’m trying to understand,

put the pieces together. There was

blood all along the hallway of

your house, leading right into the

kitchen. We found a pig’s carcass

in the oven, not a pretty sight.

Your wife was, understandably quite

distraught...

RYAN

(Hopefully.)

Natalie!

DALE.

Yes.

RYAN

She’s okay?

DALE.

A little shaken up, but yes, she’s

fine.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 44.

62 CONTINUED: 62

RYAN

And Peter?

DALE.

That’s your son, isn’t he? Yes,

there’s nothing wrong with him. A

healthy, energetic boy.

Ryan covers his face with his hands, overcome with a relief.

Dale waits a moment before continuing.

DALE. (CONT’D)

Your wife dialed 999 and reported

the intrusion and vandalism, we

had an officer on the scene in ten

minutes. Apparently she’d taken a

call earlier in the evening telling

her to visit her mother urgently.

(Beat.)

Mr Cole, did you put the pig’s

body in the oven?

RYAN

No. I’d never do anything like

that.

DALE.

Did you and your wife have an

argument that night, or maybe

sometime before?

RYAN

We don’t fight. Are you going to

arrest me?

DALE.

No, but you understand it’s my job

to check this incident out. To try

and put matters right.

(Beat.)

Mr Cole, is there anything you

want to tell me.

Ryan shakes his head.

DALE. (CONT’D)

I’ve only got a few more questions.

They won’t take long.

Ryan shuts his eyes, he can’t help but smile.

63 63 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR. DAY

Fully dressed, Ryan walks down the corridor. The Nurse

hurries behind him, pushing an empty wheelchair.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 45.

63 CONTINUED: 63

NURSE

You should really stop and

reconsider what you’re doing.

You’re not really strong enough.

RYAN

I signed out.

NURSE

But your wife will be here any

moment.

(Beat.)

At least get in the wheelchair.

He turns to her.

RYAN

Thank you for everything you’ve

done, but please, don’t try and

stop me.

The Nurse stops, Ryan walks on.

64 64 INT. HOSPITAL RECEPTION. DAY

Ryan walks towards the automatic sliding doors. Suddenly

he sees Natalie walking quickly towards the hospital, she

is carrying Peter. Ryan hides behind a pillar while Natalie

enters and rushes to the reception desk. Her face shows

great concern. While she talks with the RECEPTIONIST Ryan

slips past her and heads towards the door.

Pausing at the door, Ryan stops and can’t help but look

back. Natalie is still talking with the Receptionist, her

back to him, but Peter (looking over her shoulder) is

staring at him.

Ryan smiles and Peter smiles back. Ryan gives his son a

wave and then EXITS.

65 65 INT. MANOR HOUSE, STUDY. DAY

Patrick is writing furiously on a manual typewriter while

Chad paces up and down. Edward sits on the sofa, looking

pensive.

EDWARD

So, he’s still alive!

CHAD

That doesn’t matter, he tried,

didn’t he? He only jumped off

fucking London Bridge for Christ’s

sake! It’s not our fault the bloody

cops fished him out! We still win.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 46.

65 CONTINUED: 65

EDWARD

The details of the bet were

explicit, Chad, a healthy man driven

to commit suicide. Technically for

it to be suicide he has to be dead,

otherwise it’s only attempted

suicide.

PATRICK

Chad, we lost the wager.

(To Edward.)

You’ll have the money by the

arranged date.

EDWARD

I don’t understand you and your

twisted bets. Why did you do it?

It wasn’t for the money, was it?

PATRICK

You know what I do, Edward. Come

to your own conclusion.

Edward stands and heads towards the door. He pauses.

EDWARD

One last thing, Patrick; have you

seen Malcolm around?

PATRICK

No, why should I? You recall, we

didn’t get on.

EDWARD

It’s unlike him to miss a session.

Edward EXITS. As soon as he’s gone Chad rushes over to

Patrick.

CHAD

What are we going to do? Ryan knows

we murdered Malcolm.

PATRICK

(Hisses.)

Shut up! For God’s sake!

(Beat.)

We don’t need to worry about him.

Remember, as far as he’s concerned

he killed Malcolm. Not us.

Patrick stands and walks to the television.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Chad, I want to show you something.

He puts a video into the VCR.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 47.

65 CONTINUED: (2) 65

PATRICK (CONT’D)

Sit down.

Chad sits in front of the television.

PATRICK (CONT’D)

I want you to watch this.

CHAD

What is it?

PATRICK

An educational film by one Alfred

Hitchcock. It’s called Rope. Watch

it, think of it when you next open

your stupid mouth!

Patrick leaves Chad watching the movie on TV. Returning to

the desk, Patrick continues writing.

66 66 EXT. COUNTRY ROAD, MANOR HOUSE GATES. DAY

Ryan walks up to the gates and tries them. They are locked.

He peers through the bars.

67 67 INT. MANOR HOUSE, STUDY. DAY

Hunched over the typewriter, Patrick continues to write.

He looks up, as if feeling Ryan’s presence. He returns to

writing.

CLOSE UP of the typed page. Patrick writes "The Fourth

Lesson: On becoming a Lion."

He stands, stretches. The door opens and a MAID enters,

carrying a bottle of Champagne in ice and two glasses. The

Maid EXITS. Patrick takes the bottle and begins to ease

out the cork. Chad notices and stands.

CHAD

We’re actually doing it?

The cork pops. Patrick pours the champagne and hands one

glass to Chad.

PATRICK

(Nods.)

Tomorrow. Sleepland’s almost ready.

CHAD

Why do you insist on calling it

that? Gives me the creeps.

PATRICK

I like it. Cheers.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 48.

67 CONTINUED: 67

They touch glasses.

68 68 EXT. WOODS. DAY

Ryan stumbles through the woods. It begins to rain hard.

He leans against a tree and puts both hands over his face.

RYAN

I’m going mad!

He sinks to the ground.

69 69 EXT. MANOR HOUSE DRIVE. NIGHT

The grounds are dark. Ryan climbs over the wall and drops

to the ground. Keeping low he dashes towards the house.

He skirts around the house, he finds an open window.

70 70 INT. MANOR HOUSE, UTILITY ROOM. NIGHT

Putting his hand through the open window Ryan is able to

reach the handle. He opens the window and enters the room

which is filled with brooms and other cleaning equipment.

He creeps to the door and puts his ear to it. He listens,

the house is silent. He tries the handle and the door opens.

71 71 INT. MANOR HOUSE, CORRIDOR. NIGHT

This used to be part of the servant’s quarters, so the

corridor is cramped and dark.

Ryan hurries along the corridor, it leads to a staircase

at the end. He climbs up.

72 72 INT. MANOR HOUSE, STUDY. NIGHT

Chad is playing on the Playstation while Patrick writes.

He hears a CREAK from the ceiling and looks up, wondering

what could have made it.

PATRICK

What is it?

CHAD

I thought I heard something. It’s

nothing.

He goes back to playing the game.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 49.

73 73 INT. MANOR HOUSE, PATRICK’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

The bedroom is large and comfortable.

Ryan makes begins to search the room. He finds money in

the desk and stuffs it in his pocket. He is about to leave

when he sees a half-open door through which he can see a

desk.

74 74 INT. MANOR HOUSE, OFFICE. NIGHT

This is Patrick’s private office. It is a small room, full

of books. On the desk there is a computer, a laser printer

and next to it a freshly printed manuscript.

Ryan looks around. There are many open books on the desk,

he looks through them. He finds titles such as: The Masks

of God volumes by Joseph Campbell. Chariots of the Gods.

There are also many books on religion and mythology. The

Lord of the Rings and CDs of Wagner’s Ring. Also the Bible

and the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, and lastly, Hitler’s

Mein Kampf and Karl Marx’s Capital.

PATRICK

What the hell?

His attention turns to the manuscript. He picks it up and

flicks through the pages. A smiles slowly spreads across

his face.

75 75 INT. MANOR HOUSE, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Chad pauses at the bottom of the master staircase,

suspiciously looking up. He begins to climb.

76 76 INT. MANOR HOUSE, LANDING. NIGHT

Reaching the landing Chad looks this way and that, but can

see no one. He notices that the door to Patrick’s bedroom

is open, he walks towards it and ENTERS.

77 77 INT. MANOR HOUSE, PATRICK’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

Chad enters and finds the room empty.

78 78 EXT. WOODS. NIGHT

Clutching the manuscript to his chest, Ryan runs through

the woods.

RYAN

Got you, you stupid bastard! Got

you!

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 50.

78 CONTINUED: 78

He leans against a tree and slowly his smile fades. He

takes out his wallet and removes the photograph of Natalie

and Peter, but in the dark he cannot see their faces.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Natalie. Peter.

79 79 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

Natalie is watching the television, Peter is lying beside

her on the sofa, sleeping. The FRONT DOOR BELL RINGS.

80 80 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Natalie opens the front door, she gasps when she sees Ryan.

He is dirty and wet, carrying the manuscript in a plastic

bag.

NATALIE

Ryan! Oh my God! Come in! Come in!

She embraces him, but he cannot bring himself to embrace

her back.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Where have you...? I’ve been so

worried. Come in. Are you hungry?

He walks in and she shuts the door.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Hold on, I make you something.

She enters the kitchen. Ryan enters the living room.

81 81 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

The first thing Ryan sees is Peter, fast asleep. He sits

next to him.

RYAN

Hello, little soldier.

He picks Peter up and hugs him.

RYAN (CONT’D)

I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.

He starts to cry. Natalie appears in the door and watches,

concerned.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 51.

82 82 INT. RYAN’S HOUSE, KITCHEN. NIGHT

Natalie watches Ryan eat ravenously. The bag containing

the manuscript lies on the table beside him.

NATALIE

What happened? Tell me, please.

RYAN

I can’t.

NATALIE

I can help you.

Ryan shakes his head.

Natalie reaches across the table and takes Ryan’s hand.

NATALIE (CONT’D)

Ryan, we’ve been married for three

years. I don’t know about you, but

I didn’t take my vows lightly.

Whatever you’ve done, I can forgive

you.

RYAN

How can you say that when you don’t

know what I’ve done. Maybe I don’t

deserve to be forgiven.

(Beat.)

I don’t know if I’m the man you

loved anymore.

NATALIE

Then, let’s at least try.

Ryan pulls his hand away from hers.

RYAN

I’ve got to go. I can’t stay here.

NATALIE

Why?

RYAN

(Whispering.)

People might be watching.

NATALIE

Sorry?

RYAN

I’ve got to go.

He heads towards the door.

NATALIE

Where are you going to sleep?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 52.

82 CONTINUED: 82

RYAN

I’ll find somewhere.

(Beat.)

I need to get some things together.

He turns away from her.

83 83 INT. CHEAP HOTEL. NIGHT

Ryan, wearing fresh clothes and carrying a holdall, walks

through the door into a small, bare room. The furniture is

old MFI, the bed small, the wallpaper and ceiling

discoloured.

He puts the holdall down and lies on the bed. Somewhere

below him in the house he can head SOMEONE SHOUTING. Ryan

closes his eyes and tries to sleep.

84 84 INT. WINE BAR. NIGHT

Chad sits at a table with a beautiful but shy young woman,

she is ANTHEA. Chad pours white wine into her glass and

then his own.

CHAD

You like wine, Anthea?

ANTHEA

(Nodding.)

Love it! But it goes straight to

my head. After two I can’t feel my

legs any more.

He raises his glass to her, she does the same.

CHAD

It’s nice to meet you after so

long.

She GIGGLES.

CHAD (CONT’D)

How long have you been on the web?

ANTHEA

Oh, about three years I suppose.

CHAD

And do you do this sort of thing a

lot?

ANTHEA

Oh no! This is the first time.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 53.

84 CONTINUED: 84

CHAD

Same here. It took me a long time

to get up the courage to ask you

out.

ANTHEA

It took me a long time to get up

the courage to accept.

CHAD

Why don’t you tell me a little

about yourself?

ANTHEA

There’s not much to say, or not

much more than what you’ve already

heard. You first.

CHAD

Okay, let’s see. I Born at an early

age...

Anthea LAUGHS and pokes him with a finger

ANTHEA

No, seriously now!

CHAD

I’m originally from Newcastle, but

I got out as soon as I could and

found my way down here. Since

then I’ve been drifting from one

thing to another. I’m a bit of an

opportunist. A little bit or this,

a bit of that, you know. And you?

ANTHEA

Bath...

CHAD

(Joking.)

What I need a bath! I’m sure I

used deodorant!

ANTHEA

(Laughs.)

No, silly, I’m from Bath! You

smell... nice.

CHAD

You had me worried for a minute.

ANTHEA

(Laughing.)

My family moved to Maidstone when

I was six. Now I share a flat with

a friend.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 54.

84 CONTINUED: (2) 84

CHAD

A friend?

ANTHEA

A girl-friend.

CHAD

(laughs.)

More importantly, what do you do

for fun?

ANTHEA

Oh, I don’t know. What do you want

to do?

CHAD

Have you ever been to a casino

before?

ANTHEA

No! Isn’t it expensive?

CHAD

Of course it is, but that’s the

idea. What do you say?

He winks at her. After a moment she smiles.

85 85 INT. MANOR HOUSE, PATRICK’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

Patrick enters, wearing a dressing gown. He puts a cup of

cocoa down beside his bed, and takes a book from a shelf.

He sits down on the bed, opens the book and begins to read.

Suddenly his eyes flick over to the door leading to the

office. There is a single page lying on the floor. Putting

the book down he stands and enters the office.

86 86 INT. MANOR HOUSE, OFFICE. NIGHT

He picks up the page, it belongs to the manuscript. His

eyes flicker to where the manuscript once lay on the desk.

A look of alarm crosses his face.

87 87 INT. CHEAP HOTEL ROOM. NIGHT

Ryan takes the metal waste-paper bin and sets it before

him. He takes the manuscript from the holdall, unwraps it

from the plastic bag and then peels off the first page.

Taking a lighter from his pocket he sets the page alight

and drops it into the bin. The smoke curls up to the

ceiling. Ryan watches it rise, and his eyes fall on a

smoke detector located directly above the bed.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 55.

87 CONTINUED: 87

RALPH

Shit!

He starts fanning the air, trying to dissipate the smoke

before it sets the alarm off.

88 88 INT. CHAD’S LIVING ROOM. NIGHT

Chad enters, Anthea follows him. She looks around the room,

amazed.

ANTHEA

Oh, it’s so beautiful! Did you do

it yourself?

CHAD

All my own work. Did you enjoy

yourself tonight?

They become close, he takes her in his hands.

ANTHEA

I never knew spending someone else’s

money could be such fun.

They kiss.

ANTHEA (CONT’D)

But I thought people always lost

in casinos?

CHAD

Then you must be a lucky girl,

Anthea.

ANTHEA

First time in my life. Are you

sure I can keep the money?

CHAD

You won it, it’s yours.

The telephone RINGS.

CHAD (CONT’D)

(Annoyed.)

I’ll get rid of them. Excuse me.

He picks up the phone.

CHAD (CONT’D)

Yes?

(Listens.)

I’ll be right there.

Chad puts down the phone and turns to Anthea.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 56.

88 CONTINUED: 88

CHAD (CONT’D)

I am so sorry, but I’ve got to go

out for a while. Now, you can

either stay here and make yourself

at home until I get back, or I can

drive you back to your flat?

She smiles at him, her mind already made up.

89 89 INT. MANOR HOUSE, HALLWAY. NIGHT

Chad enters, as soon as he does so Patrick rushes up to

him.

PATRICK

Where is it?

CHAD

Where’s what?

PATRICK

My manuscript! Where’s my bloody

manuscript? I’ve been looking all

over the house and I can’t find

it!

CHAD

I can’t understand why it’s so

important to you.

(Beat.)

Don’t you have a copy?

Patrick begins hurrying up the stairs. Chad doesn’t move.

PATRICK

Of course I do, but if someone

reads it we’re fucked! Help me

look for it.

(Looks back. Angrily)

Well?

CHAD

Okay.

PATRICK

Sometimes I wonder if you believe

that I can pull this off, Chad. I

can. If you trust me I’ll make you

richer than you could imagine.

Chad reluctantly follows him.

CHAD

Don’t you want to know how it went

with Anthea?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 57.

89 CONTINUED: 89

PATRICK

Well?

CHAD

Perfect.

PATRICK

At least something’s gone right

tonight.

They reach the top of the stairs.

90 90 INT. CHEAP HOTEL ROOM. NIGHT

Ryan wraps the manuscript up in carrier bags, fastens it

with rubber bands and then slides the package under the

bed.

91 91 INT. CHAD’S BEDROOM. NIGHT

Chad and Anthea make love.

ANTHEA

Chad, do you love me?

CHAD

What do you think I’ve been doing

for the last hour?

They continue.

92 92 EXT. SECOND HAND CAR DEALER. MORNING

Ryan and the CAR DEALER check over Ryan’s car.

RYAN

How much, part exchange for the

Escort?

He nods back to an old, but intact Ford Escort parked not

far off.

The Car dealer sucks in air through his teeth and shakes

his head.

93 93 EXT. PARK PLAYGROUND. AFTERNOON

Natalie is pushing Peter on the swings. She stops and Peter

begins to cry. She comforts him.

NATALIE

Hey, it’s okay! You miss your dad,

don’t you? I miss him too.

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 58.

93 CONTINUED: 93

She takes Peter in her arms and hugs him.

94 94 INT. MALCOLM’S HOME, LIVING ROOM. DAY

Edward stands in the middle of the room. The place is tidy,

but he is suspicious. Simon enters.

SIMON

His clothes have been taken and I

can’t find any suitcases. Looks

like he’s jumped ship.

Edward nods, he is about to leave when he spots something.

He walks over to the wallpaper and checks it, there are

many small dark dots splattered across it. Edward touches

it, the dots are dry.

SIMON (CONT’D)

What is it?

EDWARD

Blood. Maybe.

They EXIT.

95 95 INT. RYAN’S CAR, OUTSIDE CHAD’S SOUTH LONDON HOME. NIGHT

Ryan is dozing in his new car, the Escort, parked across

the road from Chad’s house. He suddenly comes too.

His POV: Chad leaves the house, climbs into his car and

drives off.

Ryan starts up the motor and pulls away, following.

96 96 INT. RYAN’S CAR, LONDON STREETS. NIGHT

Ryan tails Chad through London.

97 97 EXT. OUTSIDE ANTHEA’S FLAT. NIGHT

Chad’s car comes to a stop outside a modern block of flats.

Ryan’s car stops not far off.

Chad climbs out of the car and speaks into the flat

intercom. He waits. A moment later Anthea emerges from the

flat, she and Chad embrace and kiss.

98 98 INT. RYAN’S CAR, CENTRAL LONDON. NIGHT

It is raining hard and Ryan is finding it hard to tail

Chad.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 59.

99 99 EXT. OUTSIDE ILLEGAL CASINO. NIGHT

Chad’s car parks. Chad and Anthea climb out. They enter

the casino’s nondescript door.

100 100 INT. RYAN’S CAR, OUTSIDE ILLEGAL CASINO. NIGHT

Of course Ryan is watching. He is suspicious.

RYAN

Chad, you bastard!

FADE TO BLACK

101 101 EXT. OUTSIDE CHAD’S SOUTH LONDON HOME. MORNING

The front door to Chad’s home opens and Anthea rushes out,

she is late for work.

102 102 INT. TRAIN CARRIAGE. MORNING

The carriage is crowded. Anthea has a seat, reading a

tabloid newspaper. Not far off Ryan is watching her, forced

to stand. He looks disheveled.

103 103 EXT. OUTSIDE OFFICE. MORNING

Running as fast as she can Anthea rushes up to a modern

office block. She enters through the revolving doors.

Not far off Ryan stops. He looks down at his watch, then

walks away.

104 104 INT. LIBRARY. DAY

Ryan is surfing the Internet on a library computer.

He types in "Patrick Orwell". A number of links come up,

Ryan clicks on one that reads. "The Power of Communication.

Analects by Patrick Orwell."

Another page comes up, there is a large photograph of

patrick, smiling and holding up his most recent book.

Ryan scans the page. There is a large link for "Eradicate

No, remove negative thinking from your life." He clicks

on it.

The next page: "Eradicate No, Seminars for 1999". Following

this there is a list of dates on which the seminars are

going to be held. Ryan quickly jots down the information.

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 60.

105 105 INT. BOOK SHOP. DAY

Standing before a display of self-help books, Ryan locates

a section written by Patrick Orwell. He takes one down, it

takes them down.

106 106 INT. BOOK SHOP, CHECK OUT. DAY

Ryan slams a small tower of Patrick’s books down on the

counter before the SALES ASSISTANT. She begins swiping the

bar-codes.

107 107 INT. COFFEE SHOP. DAY

It is lunch time. The shop is busy, most of the tables

have been taken.

Ryan enters (carrying a plastic bag full of Patrick’s

books), he looks around and sees Anthea sitting alone at a

table, eating a sandwich while reading a book. He approaches

the counter.

RYAN

Black coffee.

He watches Anthea while his coffee is fixed. He takes it,

pays and heads towards Anthea’s table.

She doesn’t notice him.

RYAN (CONT’D)

Excuse me, is this chair taken?

She glances up at him quickly, and then shakes her head.

Ryan sits down.

RYAN (CONT’D)

It’s very busy in here.

She looks over her book, smiles at him and returns to

reading. With her face hidden behind the book she rolls

her eyes in exasperation.

He drinks his coffee, trying to think of what to say next.

RYAN (CONT’D)

I’m sorry to keep on disturbing

you, but do you know Chad?

She puts her book down.

ANTHEA

How do you know him?

(CONTINUED)

Sleepland. By P.T.Mayes. Page: 61.

107 CONTINUED: 107

RYAN

I was at the casino last night, I

saw you there. I was at the

blackjack table.

(Looks down at his

clothes and laughs.)

This is what you get for losing.

ANTHEA

Well, what a coincidence!

RYAN

They say it’s a small world.

ANTHEA

What’s your name? I’ll tell Chad

I saw you.

RYAN

Eh, no, don’t bother him with that.

We hardly know each other, really.

You won quite a lot last night.

ANTHEA

(Laughs.)

I know, and I thought the idea of

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