Dearest Friend,
Are you sure you want to board this Train?
From 
One who has no Choice.

MIKE MARSHALL

British rock star after new challenge 

MELANIE SYKES 

Young Afro -American doctor 

PHILIP CAMERON - JONES 

Wise old boy - English eccentric right down
to egg stained tie. A 'second division' career illusionist.

WILLIAM 

Nasty, unpredictable, definitely not the 'full ticket' - even satanic
Perhaps that very deity on earth?

AND

THE PHILOSOPHER

About whom we must discover

1.    INT - CONCERT HALL - NEW YORK - NIGHT

New York- Maddison Square, and in the packed concert arena rock band Red Seana end in typical style with massive stage effects and the crowd baying for more. The band leave, but are led back by Mike Marshall. The encore riff for their anthem 'Stardust in Hell' begins, and as the show closes, Mike bids farewell to fans and the music business.

CUT TO.

2.   EXT - STAGE DOOR - NIGHT

At the Stage Door fans wait for a glimpse and autograph and Mike emerges to oblige. An orgy of affection follows as they crowd the singer, before minder Steve helps him into the limo.

CUT TO. 

3.  INT - STRETCH LIMOUSINE - NIGHT - NEW YORK

Stretched out in the back, accepting a pre fixed 'J' from Steve.

MIKE
Incredible, ******* incredible! God I'll miss them. But you know what, I am so gonna' Miss You Buddy? Come here, you wonderful old bugger!

Big hugs and tears

STEVE 
Oh bollocks!

TYRON (DRIVER) 
You guys alright there?

MIKE 
We're fine Tyron.

TYRON 
That's good! 

STEVE
The party's at Zanzus. You want to go direct, or clean up? 

MIKE 
Neither, I've had Paul change the hotel Buddy. Just check my flight case tomorrow will you. (To Tyron) We'll drop Steve at Zanzus.

TYRON 
OK Boss. 

STEVE 
You sure about this Mike? 

MIKE 
Steve how many times must I tell you it's been great, but it's not normal. I have to move on.

STEVE
I still say you're crazy!

Mike, pouring large whisky. 

MIKE 
Maybe Steve. Maybe?

Police siren, and the limo rocks to the sidewalk, coming to a halt, cut off by police.

TYRON

Sorry gentlemen. Curiosity time!

Tyron winds down window, as motorbike cop arrives.

TYRON
What's the problem?

POLICE
You're driving too slow.

TYRON
I have a Congressman screwing in the back. I have to go slow!

POLICE
Bullshit!

The first of several cars crash and start to log jam.

TYRON
Alrighty, so it's Mr Mike Marshall Can I go now? 

POLICE
You just said it's a Congressman, so let's take a look! 

TYRON
Sorry Boss

MIKE
No worries! 

CUT TO:

19. POST HOUSE HOTEL BAR - LONDON - LATE 

Captain Hansom's huge impromptu farewell party. Conference medics, the religious party, Chief Inspector Wheeler and colleagues watch (drunk) as Philip Cameron Jones packs his 'bag of tricks '.

CHIEF INSPECTOR WHEELER 
Let's run through this again. You and Miss Sykes are here, right?

ARCHBISHOP
We've run through this a million times, and I'm bolloxed! May I remind you I have a Royal Wedding in six hours! 

CHIEF INSPECTOR WHEELER
And that's more important than murder? 

ARCHBISHOP
Very well, but for the last time! Here (Grabs afireside poker. pushes Clem alongside Mike and Melanie and paces back three metres). Whilst you all stood waiting for passports to be checked, your killer was about there when Mr Nyaga arrived. The killer then released the arrow and (hurls poker) that was that! (Hits Clem through the neck and he goes down) Everybody happy? Now I'm off to bed (Steps over Clem). Well done, you can get up now! 

Melanie kneels beside a very dead Clem, as Archbishop leaves. 

CUT TO:

23.  INT - THE WORLD NEURO CONFERENCE - MORNING

Associate Rusty approaches the conference room. The sign on the door says 'Alcohol Abuse' Lecture in Progress. Quiet Please. He enters to a scene of hung over and sleeping doctors, with Melanie (sober) lecturing. She acknowledges his late arrival. 

MELANIE 
And so ladies and gentlemen; I hope you found my Dissertation worthy. You'll gather I'm seriously persuaded the cumulative effect of Disultakien, if taken with Serabel Hydrochloride over say a five year period, can cause a gradual disintegration of the limbic system. But I'm ready for your thoughts and questions?

Silence broken by snoring - delegate has bottle in brown bag on desk.

RUSTY 
Do you think your system prefers Fosters to Jack Daniels?

MELANIE 
I really don't know, Doctor?

RUSTY
Duckham - Rusty Duckham. Shall we move this to the bar?

MELANIE
I don't think Fosters or Jack Daniels come into this, but  I'11 certainly give your Question some thought! Thank you then ladies and gentlemen.

Melanie packs her papers as delegates leave. Rusty holds back, then approaches.

RUSTY
Miss Sykes I have a knife, which can make a big mess of your lighting system. 

MELANIE
If you had arrived on time, you would have heard it's a limbic system, Mr Duckham. What do you want?

RUSTY 
I want you to close your bag and come with me, nice and easy.

Rusty and Melanie leave the conference room

30. INT - WILLIAM'S HOUSE OF HELL - A WHILE LATER
In the Great Hall, William sits in the massive throne, suspended above the table and in the company of his Associates. Emily stands feebly by the door, waiting instructions as Rusty brings Melanie in, pushing her roughly -pleased with himself. The headless body of Bruce is sat at his table place. 

WILLIAM
Rusty! Kindly apologise to Doctor Sykes!

RUSTY
Sorry.

WILLIAM
Doctor Sykes, my name is William. Welcome you to our humble extravagance. Emily, a cup of Earl Grey for our guest!

Emily pours tea from a vat and delivers it on a saucer

No sugar - am I right, Doctor Sykes?

MELANIE
Who are you? Who are these people - what do you want with me? (Tea) Thank you.

WILLIAM
All in good time Doctor Sykes - first enjoy my hospitality. Is something wrong?

MELANIE
It tastes a little re-cycled?

WILLIAM
Oh give it back then. Emily, take the doctor's cup and get out!

Emily approaches and takes the cup and saucer.

MELANIE
Are you well Emily? (Examines Emily's eyelid)

WILLIAM
Emily?

EMILY
I'm sorry satanic Majesty!

Emily puts the saucer back.

MELANIE
Satanic Majesty? Emily, you are very ill. You should be in hospital!.

WILLIAM
Who the Bill do you think you are, pushing your way into my house, telling my staff they're ill. How dare you!

MELANIE
And you're not exactly in pristine condition, 'Satanic Majesty'!

William flings himself wildly in his throne, and one of the servants holding the rope below ends up impaled on the same sword as Associate Pierre before him. To Emily:

WILLIAM
Damn! Get Rodney here!

Emily leaves 

MELANIE
You realize the girl is dying? 

RUSTY

Looking at the headless Bruce

Boss, who's that?

WILLIAM
It's Bruce.

CANADIAN ASSOCIATE
Never known him so quiet! Har Har!

RUSTY
Where's his head?

WILLIAM
The police wanted to ask a few questions, so he left it with them!

CUT TO:

Copyright: Neaptide Projects (Salcombe) Limited



All rights reserved 2008



Neaptide Projects Ltd., The Studio, Drake Road, Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8EG, United Kingdom
   Telephone: +44 (0)1548 843329


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