Screenwriting: Flicker (First 15 Pages of Script)

Cast List: (in order of appearance)

Tommy River – The protagonist, a quiet rogue and deep thinker.

Charles Buckland – Tommy’s confident and protective best mate.

William Gatland – A fellow soldier and well-meaning friend.

Kitt – A hardened veteran and a fellow friend of Tommy.

Rosie – The love interest of Tommy, discerning and kind.

Elizabeth – The love interest of Charles, sweet and innocent.

Sebastian – A civilian friend who objects to the war.

Jane – A civilian friend, relatively quiet.


Short Pitch:

Set during WW1 between 1916 and 1918, this screenplay follows the story of Tommy and his beloved ones. Initially overjoyed to be able to join the war on the European front, despite his flat feet, Tommy soon learns that the ‘great adventure’ is not what he expects. Flashbacks of Tommy and Rosie’s love story in Wellington, New Zealand convey the depths of Tommy’s sensitive nature as their bond deepens. This contrasts against the degradation of Tommy’s humanity the longer he stays in the war. This visceral screenplay will leave audiences contemplating their emotional attachment to young kiwis during this vivid yet brutal period of history.

BLACK SCREEN CAPTION:

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
DECEMBER 1916

ON BLACK: AUDIO

The chirping of birds.


EXT. FIELD – EARLY MORNING - WELLINGTON - DEC. 1916

Opens on TOMMY RIVER (18) looking thoughtful, melancholic even. He sits alone on a lush field watching the last of the sunrise at the end of a tranquil peninsula. He wears going-out clothes, but looks scruffy, after assumedly being out all night. Birds continue chirping intermittently. The blue sky and sun solidify. Tommy stands, putting on his hat and jacket. He meanders back over the field assumedly towards home. He has a swig from a flask. As he returns it to his jacket pocket, Tommy looks up and sees CHARLES BUCKLAND (18), beaming in NZ Army uniform, striding towards him. Tommy, surprised, returns a cheeky grin.

CHARLES
Thought I might find you out here.

Charles reaches Tommy, they embrace.

TOMMY
What’re you doing up this early?

CHARLES
What are you doing up this late?

TOMMY
(weakly)
Oh, you know, fresh air and all
that. What’s your excuse then?

Charles looks at Tommy sympathetically. Tommy takes another swig of his flask, passing it to Charles.

CHARLES
It’s-

Charles checks his watch.

CHARLES (CONT’D)
7.30am… but alright then.

Charles takes a swig. The pair carry on walking in the direction Tommy was already headed.

CHARLES (CONT’D)
You know, you really should be
saving this for your little soirée
tonight.

Charles passes the flask back to Tommy whose expression implies, ‘What are you talking about?’ Charles smiles.

CHARLES (CONT’D)
Believe it or not, I wasn’t up
at the crack of dawn to just
mope my way through sunrises.

Charles fondly ruffles Tommy’s dark hair.

CHARLES (CONT’D)
I’m here because his majesty’s
uniform is going to suit you
rather nicely Mr River.

Tommy looks vulnerable.

TOMMY
Don’t fuck with me Charles.

CHARLES
You remember Rosie.

TOMMY
Of course.

Charles smiles knowingly.

CHARLES
I have it on good authority,
courtesy of her brother, that the
recruitment office on Thorndon St
will at 2pm today, be accepting
rascals with flat feet.

Tommy stops, shocked.

CHARLES
Just make sure you’re in the
left-hand que once you’re past
the entrance.

Charles winks fondly at Tommy. Tommy lets slip a small laugh of disbelief. Charles laughs. Their laughter is contagious, building in response to each other. Tommy grabs Charles by the shoulders, jumping round in circles. We focus on their youthful faces, immense joy, neither can stop laughing.

TITLE CARD:

FLICKER
(beat)

A brief snippet of the melancholic violin theme song plays.

BLACK SCREEN CAPTION:

FRANCE
SEPTEMBER 1917

ON BLACK: AUDIO

A steam train whistle is heard.


EXT. TRAIN STATION – DAY – FRANCE - SEP. 1917

Soldiers mill about a black steam train, as other soldiers enter and exit the train.


INT. TRAIN CORRIDOR – DAY

Tommy and Charles, bright eyed and eager, enter the train in spotless combat uniform. Rifles slung across their backs, they make their way down the busy corridor filled with soldiers.

TOMMY
Reckon Willie got us that cabin?

CHARLES
Ya know, I wouldn’t count on it,
come on.

Charles leads, navigating the crowd, peeking into cabins as they walk, assumedly in search of William.

TOMMY
I’ll bet he’s scavenged a bottle
of whiskey for us.

CHARLES
I’ll bet he’s on the wrong train.

Tommy laughs. They continue down the corridor.

TOMMY
Heard the front’s less than
a day away ya know.

Charles grins. A couple of soldiers give Tommy and Charles looks of disapproval, unnoticed by the youths. Charles pokes his head into a cabin.

CHARLES
Willie!

Solider 1 (O.S)
Fuck off.


INT. TRAIN CABIN 1 – CONTINUOUS - DAY

Tommy pokes his head into the cabin, a fresh-faced soldier WILLIAM GATLAND (19) is sat looking guilty. Three other rougher-looking soldiers fill up the cabin, looking bored, glum, and hostile.

WILLIAM
(soundlessly mouthing)
I’m sorry.

TOMMY
Come on Charles.

Tommy tugs Charles’s shoulder.

CHARLES
(dismissively to Willie)
Catch up Willie.


INT. TRAIN CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS - DAY

Charles, exasperated, turns to Tommy as they walk on.

CHARLES (CONT’D)
Bottle of whiskey? The sod
couldn’t even hold the damn
cabin for us.

Tommy grins in response. The boys now find a cabin.

INT. TRAIN CABIN 2 - CONTINUOUS – DAY

A solider, private KITT (20), sits alone napping against the window. He has a wound stripe and a brass ‘A’ on one sleeve, Tommy notices, pointing to Kitt’s ‘A’.

TOMMY
(whispering to Charles)
Gallipoli vet.

Charles nods his approval. Sensing the boys, Kitt opens his sunken eyes with purple bags underneath.

TOMMY
(politely to Kitt)
Reckon we can jump in here?

Kitt nods curtly, then returns to closing his eyes. Charles and Tommy quietly store their gear in the cabin. The train begins to leave. Tommy takes the window seat opposite Kitt, Charles sits next to Tommy.

CHARLES
(whispering)
Should we grab Willie?

Tommy looks at Kitt and shakes his head. Kitt sighs, opening his eyes reluctantly.

KITT
Where you boys from then?

TOMMY AND CHARLES
Wellington.

Kitt looks unimpressed as he stares at the two boys.

CHARLES
(extends hand)
Charles Buckland.

Kitt looks at Charles with slight amusement as he shakes it.

TOMMY
Tommy River.

Kitt nods to Tommy.

KITT
River and Buck aye. Name’s Kitt.

It begins to lightly rain outside. Kitt looks tired and worried as he stares out the window at the scenery passing by.

KITT
Could be a good idea to
quietly write some letters
to your sweethearts.

Tommy and Charles are fixated on Kitt as he continues to stare out the window. The rain picks up.

KITT (CONT’D)
(absentmindedly)
Best their first letter aint on
some muddy bit of parchment aye.

Kitt turns and looks at the boys sceptically.

KITT (CONT’D)
That is, if you’ve got sweethearts.

Tommy looks out the window at the French countryside passing by, the rain becomes heavier.

BEGIN FLASHBACK SEQUENCE:


EXT. BOTANICAL GARDENS – EVENING - WELLINGTON - MAR. 1917

Tommy, Charles, and William are walking up a path through the gardens with their friends ROSIE (18), ELIZABETH (17), SEBASTIAN (19), and JANE (19). All the boys are in their NZ Army dress uniform (all rank patches - private), except for Sebastian and the ladies who are in tidy civilian clothing. Drinks and smokes are scattered throughout the cheery group.

CAPTION: WELLINGTON
MARCH 1917

A drunk William has an arm around Tommy and Charles who are supporting him up the path. The scene opens with Rosie making eye contact with Tommy who is flushed.

WILLIAM
(drunkenly)
Why oh why, does Lucy Green
not love me back.

There are small, well-meaning smiles and expressions of amusement from the group.

TOMMY
(smiling)
Well I, I can’t fathom why Willie.

CHARLES
Because you Willie, are a drunk.

WILLIAM
Yes, yes but I’m a drunk in uniform
now Charles.

CHARLES
The illustrious Miss Green will be
spoilt for choice should that be
her standard.

Laughs and smiles are dispersed throughout the group.

ELIZABETH
Oh Charles, leave poor Willie alone.

Elizabeth snuggles into Charles’s other side.

ELIZABETH
Lucy Green would be honoured to
have you Willie.

Elizabeth reaches across Charles to give Willie a friendly tug on the cheek.

ELIZABETH (CONT’D)
Where is this - aarghh.

A kaka, screeching, jumps into the garden from a nearby tree. Elizabeth jumps back, startled. Charles also jumps back, falling, as he drops William while attempting to place himself between Elizabeth and the harmless bird. Tommy and William tumble to the ground. The kaka flies off. Rosie and Sebastian are laughing gayly. Jane lets slip a half smile, a tinge of sadness in her eyes. The group on the ground look exasperated, but full of smiles. Rosie notices Jane and holds her close. Only Tommy observes this, as the group compose themselves, standing up. Tommy lingers on the ground, looking in the direction of Jane and Rosie with curiosity. From Tommy’s POV Charles’s hand appears, Tommy accepts it with a smile, he’s uplifted from the ground.

CHARLES
(to Elizabeth)
Just a Kaka my dear.

Charles offers his arm to Elizabeth.

WILLIAM
(rolling his eyes)
Has your gallantry no limits Charles.

The upbeat group reassembles and walks a short distance further as they chatter, indiscernibly. Willie is supported by Charles and Tommy again.

CHARLES
(to Elizabeth)
We have arrived your Highness.

Charles gestures to a tall, grand tree. Green, bushy branches extend from the tree on all sides.

ROSIE
(to the group)
Well come on then.


EXT. WITHIN THE TREE’S OUTLINE – CONTINUOUS-EVENING

The group needle their way underneath the bushy branches to the base of the tree.

SEBASTIAN
(to the group)
What are we gonna do with Willie
… we aint getting him up there.

Sebastian indicates to the top of the tree with the two fingers holding his cigarette. Willie appears very sluggish.

TOMMY
(to Willie)
Over here my friend.

Tommy plants Willie on the ground with his back to the tree.

TOMMY CONT.
That’s a good lad.

ROSIE
He will freeze!

Charles takes off his NZ Army dress jacket, covering Willie. Tommy takes a long drag of his cigarette, he then leaves it in Willie’s mouth. Willie smiles dopily. Tommy and Charles look around for any objections to leave Willie. No one objects.

CHARLES
Well then, not even our conscientious
objector objects to our good treatment
of dear Willie.

Charles gives Sebastian a friendly pat on the shoulder. Sebastian gives Charles a friendly whack over the head.

CHARLES
Ow.

Sebastian, then the rest of the group begin climbing the tree. The boys, attempting chivalry, try to help the girls up the tree. The group is staggered at various heights as they climb.


EXT. TOP OF THE TREE – CONTINUOUS – EVENING

Tommy, Charles, and Rosie’s heads emerge from the treetop, with wonder in their eyes.

TOMMY
(to himself)
Never gets old.

A magnificent view of the Wellington harbour and skyline below is shown from the top of the tree. Rosie casts eyes at Tommy.


EXT. TOP OF THE TREE – LATER - EVENING

The group is sprawled atop the tree. The bushy foliage is thick, they lie down reasonably comfortably. A bottle of whiskey and a bottle of wine are being passed around. Sebastian, Jane, and Elizabeth are in one cluster, Tommy, Charles, and Rosie in another. The two groups are within close visual range of each other.

TOMMY
(to Rosie)
Smoke?

Rosie accepts a cigarette from Tommy’s outstretched hand.

ROSIE
Thanks.

Rosie places the cigarette in her mouth, Tommy covers her cigarette with his hands, protecting it from the wind as he lights it. Rosie coolly begins to smoke; Charles and Tommy look on admirably. Tommy lights up his own cigarette.

CHARLES
Tommy.

TOMMY
What is it old chap?

CHARLES
Hand me one of those cigarettes.

TOMMY
(surprised)
Charles.

CHARLES
Look, I can’t be the only soldier at
the front not knowing how to smoke.

Tommy grins, Rosie stifles a giggle.

TOMMY
Here.

Tommy places a cigarette near Charles’s mouth, Charles grabs the cigarette in his mouth. Tommy goes to light it.

CHARLES
Wait, wait… what about coughing.

TOMMY
Yes?

CHARLES
How does one avoid it?

TOMMY
Well if you want to do it
properly, breathe in the smoke
like it’s fresh mountain air.

CHARLES
Oh, that doesn’t sound so bad.

TOMMY
Yes well, you will cough like
mad, but that’s how you smoke.

CHARLES
(exasperated)
Tommy!

TOMMY
However, if you’re a numpty who
just doesn’t want to make a fool
of himself, then breathe in only
a tad.

CHARLES
(nodding)
Just a tad.

TOMMY
And blow the smoke out before it
goes all the way into your lungs.

ROSIE
And chase it with some of that
whiskey if it burns too much.

Charles looks at Rosie sceptically. Tommy looks at Rosie, mirroring a knowing smile to each other.

CHARLES
(to Rosie)
Are you-

Tommy lights the cigarette for Charles, who breathes in with intense concentration. Charles pauses a moment before chasing it with a swig of whiskey. He begins coughing.

Elizabeth
(calling out)
Tommy what are you doing to
my Charlie!

TOMMY
(calling back)
I’ll return him good as new.

Charles is in the process of composing himself.

ELIZABETH
(calling out)
When you’re done, I need some
warmth over here Charlie.

The group continues to relax and chat. Charles looks mildly more composed.

ROSIE
Your lady awaits Mr Buckland.

Charles looks exhausted. He makes his way over the treetop to the other group, carefully standing on firm branches to not fall through the gaps between the bushy foliage.

Elizabeth
No, no, you stink Charles,
find me a blanket.

Charles
(woozily)
A blanket? Why yes of course,
how inexcusable of me darling.

Charles sighs and begins to make his way down the tree. Elizabeth looks pleased. Sebastian and Jane look half-amused. Tommy takes a swig of the whiskey then offers the bottle to Rosie. She takes a sip and passes it back.

TOMMY
I’m Tommy by the way.

Rosie smiles.

ROSIE
I know who you are Tommy.

Tommy looks slightly embarrassed.

TOMMY
Yes of course, your brother.
Thank you by the way, truly… It’s
just we haven’t been
properly introduced before.

ROSIE
Whenever I catch your eye,
you go red and look away.

Tommy looks away blushing and takes another puff. Rosie lets out a gentle laugh.

ROSIE
You see, just like that.

WILLIAM (O.S.)
(outcry)
That’s my jacket!

Tommy and Rosie pause to eavesdrop.

CHARLES (O.S.)
Hush, hush Willie, duty calls.

WILLIAM (O.S.)
Meant to be comrades in arms.

CHARLES (O.S.)
My Lilibet will not freeze on
your account William! Besides
it’s my jacket.

The friendly squabbles of Charles and William get drowned out by the giggles of Tommy and Rosie.

TOMMY
We can’t all be Charles Buckland.

ROSIE
And thank God for that.

Rosie and Charles smile at each other.

TOMMY
(seriously)
What happened to Jane?

Rosie looks surprised for half a second, then smiles sadly.

ROSIE (O.S)
Her sweetheart didn’t make it.

We briefly focus on Jane, vacant, not paying attention to the chatter of Sebastian beside her.

TOMMY
Oh.

ROSIE
She just found out last night.

Tommy goes silent, turning his attention upon the view. He has a long drag of his cigarette. Rosie calmly watches him. Tommy turns back to Rosie, tilting his head slightly as he regards her. A few seconds elapse.

ROSIE
Why do you boys want to go
away so desperately?

Rosie has a sad look in her eyes.

TOMMY
I just have to.

ROSIE
Yes, but what does that urge
stem from.

TOMMY
I dunno… it just feels right.

Tommy looks momentarily conflicted.

TOMMY (CONT’D)
I suppose part of it is not being
left behind.

ROSIE
And what is it that you think
you’ll be doing over there?

Tommy looks thoughtful as he considers his words.

TOMMY
Helping my friends I guess,
seeing something…something
beyond these shores, beyond
the mundane.

Rosie looks sympathetically at Tommy.

ROSIE
I hope you find what you’re
looking for Tommy.

Rosie gently squeezes Tommy’s hand for a second, Tommy squeezes back. Their hands release.

TOMMY
You notice things you know…
things most people don’t see.

ROSIE
As do you.

Tommy and Rosie make intense yet comfortable eye contact, conveying both fascination and a shared connection.

END FLASHBACK SEQUENCE.


INT. TRAIN CABIN 2 – LATER – DAY – SEP. 1917

We see ‘Dear Rosie’ scrawled on parchment on Tommy’s lap. We focus on Tommy, staring longingly out the window, still raining. Moments later shock appears in his eyes. Outside the train window is a bombed village. Charles and Tommy look at each other alarmed. Kitt looks emotionally unmoved. The train slows to a stop.

TOMMY
(to Kitt)
What’s happening?

KITT
Taking the wounded aboard I’d expect.

CHARLES
Wounded? Are we not headed the
wrong way for them?

KITTY
(bored)
Track’s not been repaired that
way. We can get in, not out.
Only way these poor souls can
get help is closer to the front.

CHARLES
Should we not have been told this!

Kitt chuckles. The train comes to a stop. The wounded begin to come aboard. Through the inner cabin window, a man with an amputated arm walks past. Charles looks white as a ghost. A soldier accompanying a little girl begin to walk past. The girl pauses, turning to look in the cabin. Tommy gasps, his hand over his mouth. She’s missing an eye and has dried blood on her face. She doesn’t react to Tommy. The soldier leads her past the cabin. Kitt silently observes Tommy as this unfolds.


INT. TRAIN CABIN 2 – LATER – DAY

Kitt offers the boys a cigarette, Tommy takes one with a nod of thanks. Charles hesitates then also accepts a cigarette.

CHARLES
Cheers.

Tommy turns his head slightly to look at Charles with a hint of amusement. As the boys all light up, William appears in the doorway looking sheepish.

Copyright © Matthew Sell, 2024