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The Journey - Scene VI
by
Lisa Whelan
Based on fleeting moments in the lives of Anne and Lisa
THE BOMBSHELL 13/09/2009
INT. BAR/RESTAURANT. COODEN BEACH. SUSSEX.
ANNE and LISA sit alone, the bar is half full. A waiter passes glancing cautiously.
ANNE
Why is everyone looking at us weird?
LISA
Because we are smiling.
ANNE giggles.
ANNE
It is isn’t it?
LISA giggles.
LISA
Yes.
ANNE
This is a strange place.
LISA giggles again.
The door opens. A man swaggers to the bar. Mid 30’s, white fitted-t-shirt, jeans, shaven head, tatoos decorate his arms. He has an “Ed Norton” in American History X feel about him. He perches himself on a stool at the bar in front of ANNE and LISA.
ANNE (CONT’D)
Don’t look at him.
LISA cannot help but look.
ANNE (CONT’D)
He wants you to look at him.
LISA continues to look.
LISA
I wonder what it’s like to live in a seaside town like this. Do you think he comes here every night?
ED NORTON shifts in his chair, trying to turn to get a glimpse of ANNE and LISA.
ANNE
Why is he looking at us?
LISA
Because we are staring at him maybe?
Because we are smiling at everyone?
Because we look like a couple of weirdo’s in a weird seaside town?
ANNE burst’s out laughing as the door opens. A man strolls in. Mid 50’s, Tanned, soft grey hair. Dresed in Jean’s, T-shirt, North Face jacket. A healthy glow surrounds him, there is something very “RICHARD GERE” about him. His beige labrador bounds in behind him. He approaches the bar perching next to ED NORTON.
RICHARD GERE
Evening!
ED NORTON
Food. You having food.
RICHARD GERE
No. One pint for me only. I’m walking the dog.
RICHARD GERE turns glancing at ANNE and LISA. ANNE and LISA smile back.
LISA
Do you think I should buy a drink?
ANNE sits staring.
ANNE
This place is so strange.
LISA makes her way to the bar ordering fries and two glasses of red wine.
LISA
I ordered food.
ANNE sits observing. LISA munches on the fries as a middle aged guy approaches there is something very “MICHAEL CAINE” about him.
MICHAEL CAINE
May I sit here.
He points to the empty stool at ANNE and LISA’s table.
LISA
Yes.
He sits.
MICHAEL CAINE
So where are you from?
LISA
London. We are just down here for the day.
MICHAEL CAINE
Nice place.
LISA nods as RICHARD GERE’S labrador bounces towards MICHAEL CAINE.
MICHAEL CAINE (CONT’D)
Hey boy! There’s a good boy.
MICHAEL CAINE, pats the dog.
LISA
He’s lovely isn’t he.
ANNE strokes the dog. LISA joins in.
MICHAEL CAINE
So where have you been?
ANNE
Beachy head.
MICHAEL CAINE
Nice there. Where are you from, what’s the accent?
ANNE
I was born in Sweden but I lived in the states.
MICHAEL CAINE nods, smiling. The door opens an older man enters late 50’s, dressed in chinos, leather jacket he has a “BOB HOSKINS” feel about him. A pit bull tugs on the lead in front of him, dragging him to the bar.
ED NORTON
Beer?
BOB HOSKINS
One for me. One for George.
He points to the dog. ED, RICHARD AND BOB laugh. MICHAEL joins in..
MICHAEL CAINE
That dog is psycho.
BOB HOSKINS teases the pit bull. The dog races around in circles, growling, bearing his teeth.
RICHARD GERE
He nearly had my hand off the other day.
BOB HOSKINS
He doesn’t like you mate.
RICHARD GERE reaches out. The pit bull takes a leap into the air, mouth open, teeth showing. RICHARD jumps out of the way at the last minute as the dog fly’s through the air sliding across the paisley carpet. Roar of laughter fills the bar.
LISA
He’s a bit scary.
ED NORTON sits in silence, observing ANNE. ANNE sits silent.
MICHAEL CAINE
He goes wilder than that.
BOB HOSKINS gets out his mobile phone, stretching over to MICHAEL CAINE. MICHAEL CAINE views the screen roaring with laughter. He shows ED NORTON. ED NORTON cracks up, RICHARD GERE grins. He reaches it out showing ANNE and LISA.
LISA smiles a smile that says that really isn’t funny. ANNE doesn’t smile, as an image of a Gollywog in a coffin dressed as MICHAEL JACKSON, stares back at them. ED, BOB, MICHAEL, RICHARD, feel slightly uneasy, the laughter diminishes into quiet conversation.
LISA
The dog is so lovely!
LISA strokes the dog to the sound of a bomb dropping... The men laugh louder as they study the image on BOB’s mobile phone. He presses the phone again as the bomb drops...
BOB HOSKINS
It’s a mosque. It’s kids in a mosque.
ED NORTON
That’s fantastic!
ANNE glances and LISA. LISA glances at ANNE. Their look says it all. MICHAEL CAINE gets out of his chair going to the bar to join in the fun.
ANNE
I have to say something.
LISA
I know. We have to.
ANNE
What can we say?
LISA
The truth.
ANNE
Yes.
RICHARD GERE glances at ANNE and LISA whispering, he wanders towards them.
RICHARD GERE
Sorry if we were a bit loud.
LISA
It’s ok! You’re dog is so lovely.
RICHARD GERE
Just out walking him. Well that’s what I tell the wife.
ANNE and LISA laugh.
RICHARD GERE (CONT’D)
So what are you doing here?
LISA
We just came down for the day. My friend Anne has just returned from the Middle East she has been out there for a few months.
RICHARD GERE’s face looks like he has seen a ghost.
RICHARD GERE
Oh!
LISA
I went out there last year and it’s so amazing isn’t it Anne?
The bar falls silent as all the attention falls on ANNE.
ANNE
It’s one of the most incredible places. The people are like my family. They are my surrogate family. I went there with nothing and they welcomed me into their home. They have nothing and they shared everything with me. They are amazing human beings. I felt completely at home there.
MICHAEL CAINE listens intently, he turns leaving the bar.
RICHARD GERE
Yes. I’ve heard they are different.
LISA
They are no different, they are the same human beings like us.
RICHARD GERE
Yes...
ED NORTON sits staring intently at ANNE. ANNE doesn’t make eye contact.
ANNE
They are the most hospitable people, open hearted, kind, they made me feel completely welcome.
RICHARD GERE
So what do you two do?
LISA
I’m a filmmaker, Anne is an amazing photographer.
ANNE glares at LISA.
LISA (CONT’D)
You are an amazing photographer. She hates it when I say that, but it’s the truth.
ANNE
We also have website.
ANNE rummages in her bag. She hands RICHARD GERE a business card. He looks at the picture.
RICHARD GERE
Oh! Nice picture.
ANNE
That’s Jordan. The energy in the desert is incredible.
He smiles.
RICHARD GERE
I’ll check it out.
LISA
It’s all about being positive and open to life.
He smiles a look that says it’s time to leave.
RICHARD GERE
Well I had better get going the wife will think I am lost.
He secures the lead on the dog. ANNE and LISA have one final stroke goodbye.
ANNE/LISA
The open mind.
He laughs.
RICHARD GERE
I will definitely check it out. Enjoy the rest of your time here.
RICHARD GERE exits. ED NORTON is left alone he sit’s side on to the bar one eye in front of him the other on ANNE and LISA.
ANNE
I feel good we said that.
LISA
It’s the only way to do it.
ED NORTON is walking towards them.
ED NORTON
Excuse me!
LISA looks up. ANNE doesn’t make eye contact.
ED NORTON (CONT’D)
Can I buy you both a drink.
LISA
Thank you but we are fine thanks.
ED NORTON
Please let me buy you a drink.
LISA smiles. ANNE doesn’t make eye contact.
LISA
Really it’s fine, we are leaving shortly.
ED NORTON
Please I would like to buy you and your friend a drink just to show our hospitality nothing more.
LISA looks to ANNE. ANNE looks to Lisa. ED waits bated breath.
LISA
Two glasses of red wine please.
ED turns a look of relief, heading towards the bar.
ANNE
I can’t believe it.
LISA smiles. ED turns walking towards them.
ED NORTON
I’m sorry. You made me see things differently. I’m actually embarrassed.
He places the glasses onto the table in front of them.
LISA
Thank you!
He looks at ANNE.
ED NORTON
Enjoy your stay.
ANNE makes eye contact as she smiles. He smiles back as he turns walking away. ANNE turns to LISA as they smile to each other.

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