Who, What, Where? A short film written by George B.

Hewer

georgehewer@rocketmail.com 07549 944 639 01403 250 944

EXT. STREET - LONDON - EVENING These words appear on the screen: Who, What, Where? IAN, 30, bespectacled, wearing a grey pullover, white shirt and jeans, topped with a black leather jacket and holding a cigarette, is walking next to FAYE, 30, strawberry blonde, wearing a soft pink blouse, jeans and a dark green overcoat. They walk down a quiet street in the early evening, deep in conversation. Ian is well-spoken and eloquent, while Faye has a more airy touch to her tones. IAN I dont see the point in them any more. FAYE Ian! You cant not give someone a birthday card on their birthday! IAN Why not? They open it up, look at it, "happy birthday, hope you have a great day", say thanks and throw it away a week later without a second thought. FAYE But its their birthday, its what people do. IAN Its the same as wrapping presents, who came up with that gem? Faye is taken aback and visibly annoyed by Ians comment. FAYE Oh, now youre just trying to be a knob. They come to a halt at a pedestrian crossing. A JUGGLER is busking on the other side of the road. Faye notices a man next to them with his face pressed up close to the road sign, muttering the words to himself. This is BOBBY, 30, fair-faced and innocent, wearing a turtleneck and trousers with overcoat. Ian sees her looking and looks worried as he speaks. IAN Oh no no no, Faye, not againFaye ignores him and approaches the man with a smile on her face, bending down to his level to speak. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

FAYE Excuse meBobby stands up, startled slightly by the approach. Faye also stands upright, noticing Bobbys attractiveness for the first time. She primps her hair as she speaks. FAYE Hello, erm, I was just... You knowShe giggles nervously. FAYE (continued) Are you alright? Bobby looks confused for a moment before replying slowly. BOBBY I dont know... Faye giggles nervously again. Bobby still looks around, confusion on his face. FAYE Well, are you lost? BOBBY I dont know... Faye giggles again, fiddling with her hair. Ian approaches. FAYE Well, erm, what do you know? BOBBY I know that... Faye and Ian wait expectantly for a moment. BOBBY (continued) I dont know anything. Ian takes a final toke of his cigarette before stamping it out and talking impatiently. IAN Do you not know anything, or can you just not remember ? Bobby looks up, squinting, deep in thought, before replying slowly again.

(CONTINUED)

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3.

BOBBY The second one. FAYE Ok, well whats the last thing that you remember? Bobby looks up again, squinting in thought. BOBBY Balls. Faye is slightly taken aback, stumped by the response. BOBBY (continued) Balls were flying through the air. Ian frowns, taking his glasses off and pinching the bridge of his nose. IAN Do you even know your own name? BOBBY Yes, of course. IAN RightBOBBY But I dont remember it. Faye places a sympathetic hand on his shoulder and speaks softly. FAYE Dont you worry yourself, well help you remember. Ian rolls his eyes. Bobby smiles broadly at her. BOBBY Youre very kind, thank you. Faye giggles nervously again at the compliment, taking Bobbys arm and leading him off. Ian stands there for a moment. IAN Bugger.

4. 2 INT. PUB - LONDON - EVENING IAN, FAYE and BOBBY step through the doors of the pub. It is a dank place, with few customers and none of the life or vibrancy that you would expect of a pub. What few PATRONS there are, look old and wild, warty and shriveled, unsavoury and ugly. Ian turns to Faye. IAN What do you want? FAYE White wine. Ian turns to Bobby and raises his eyebrows expectantly. Bobby looks around the bar, trying to decide quickly. Faye interjects. FAYE Surprise him. Faye leads Bobby off to a table while Ian orders the drinks.

INT. SEATING AREA - PUB - LONDON - EVENING FAYE takes a seat at a table and gestures for BOBBY to take the one opposite her. Bobby looks about the place curiously, taking in the environment. Faye leans on the table, twirling her hair as she speaks. FAYE Were gonna have to come up with a name for you until you remember your real one. BOBBY Ok. Faye is stumped as to what to say next, clearly not used to being flirtatious and struggling to string her words together. FAYE Do you... Have.. Any... Favourites? Bobby puffs his cheeks out, thinking, before shrugging as he speaks. BOBBY I dont remember. Faye laughs nervously, waving her hand dismissively. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: FAYE Oh yeah, I forgot. We can just call you... Bobby. Thats a nice name.

5.

Bobby smiles. IAN approaches the table with the drinks. FAYE (to Ian) Weve decided that Bobby is a good name for now. IAN Bobby? I didnt realise he was a Cocker Spaniel. He passes Faye her wine, a beer for himself and sets down a Fruit Shoot in front of Bobby. Faye gives him a disapproving look. He shrugs as he sits down. IAN You said to surprise him. Bobby takes a sip of his drink and smacks his lips in appreciation of the taste, glancing at the label of the bottle as he speaks. BOBBY That is de-lightful. Ian turns to Faye triumphantly. She sticks out her tongue to him and turns to Bobby. FAYE So Bobby, can you remember any... Special lady in your life? IAN Of course he cant. Ian turns to Bobby. IAN (continued) Check your wallet for some pictures or something, might jog your memory. FAYE Good idea. Bobby looks confused and speaks slowly. BOBBY Wal-let? Ian stares blankly at him. After a moment Bobby smiles and points at Ian. (CONTINUED)

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6.

BOBBY Ah, I had you! Dont worry I still know what a wallet is. Faye laughs along with him, while Ian remains unimpressed. Bobby reaches into his pockets. After a moment he pulls out a mobile phone and sets it down on the table. Faye picks it up and tries to open it, but there is a pass code lock. FAYE (to Bobby) Whats the pass code? Ian turns to her, incredulous, holding his hands out in question. A wave of realisation rushes over her. She laughs airily. FAYE (to Bobby) Its really hard to remember that you dont remember anything. BOBBY Youre telling me. They both laugh. Ian shakes his head, taking a sip of his pint. Bobby stops laughing suddenly and looks up to the ceiling in thought. BOBBY Now you mention it, I do remember a woman... Faye also stops laughing, her expression dropping. Ian perks up. IAN Really? Whats her name? Faye turns to Ian and raises her eyebrows questionably. FAYE (sarcastically) He doesnt remember, remember? BOBBY Wait a sec... Bobby raises a hand, still deep in thought, straining his memory. Ian and Faye wait eagerly for him to continue.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: BOBBY (continued) Lady... They stare at him for a moment. IAN Thats a start. BOBBY Her names Lady.

7.

Ian frowns. Faye looks away as she speaks, uninterested. FAYE Oh, er... Thats a... Unique name. IAN Well, seen as youre in a relationship Im sure therell be someone about looking for you, soIan turns to Faye as he says "in a relationship". He makes as if to stand up and usher Bobby out, but is cut off. BOBBY Theres something else. Ian sits back down in his seat. Bobby has his eyes tightly closed. BOBBY (continued) Blood. Faye slowly turns back around to face Bobby, while Ians expression turns to that of concern. BOBBY (continued) So much blood... And a knife. IAN A knife? BOBBY No. IAN No knife? BOBBY A dagger. Faye raises her eyes in intrigue and sounds hopeful as she speaks. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

FAYE So you... Got rid of her? Bobby opens his eyes slowly and looks down at his hands. BOBBY The blood wouldnt come off. Ians expression turns from serious concern to confusion as he himself now enters thought. BOBBY (continued) And the forest. Faye leans forward, eager to hear more. Bobbys voice is reduced to a whisper. BOBBY (continued) It moved. Ian rolls his eyes. IAN Bob, that wasnt you. Bobby turns to Ian, distressed. IAN That was a play. Bobby thinks for a moment. IAN (continued) Written by William Shakespeare. Its called MacbethBobby raises his hands defensively. BOBBY Please! The Scottish play, the Scottish play! Ian rolls his eyes again. A smile crawls across Fayes face once again. FAYE So youre an actor? Bobby thinks for a moment. BOBBY Yes... I think I am.

(CONTINUED)

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9.

IAN I need a cigarette. Ian stands up. Fayes attention snaps back to Ian and she follows suit. FAYE Oh yes, me too. Bobby stands up slowly to follow them, stroking the palm his right hand with his left and looking down at it inquisitively.

EXT. SMOKING AREA - PUB - LONDON - EVENING IAN lights up a cigarette and breaths deeply from it. Faye does the same and turns to BOBBY. FAYE Dyou smoke Bobby? She offers him her cigarette. Bobby squints at the smoking stick curiously, slowly taking it from her. He looks it up and down a couple of times, his eyes close to the shaft. Ian frowns at him and Faye looks on eagerly. Bobby then sniffs the smoke by waving wisps of it up his nose. Faye now looks at Bobby with more confusion than anticipation and Ians face is more screwed up. Bobby then gently gives the cigarette a little lick to taste it. Faye looks very confused now and Ians mouth is agape in horror. Bobby now finally takes a drag of the cigarette, blows out the smoke and waits. The other two stand still, awaiting his verdict. After a moment Bobby speaks. BOBBY No, I dont think I smoke. He hands the cigarette back to Faye, whose bubbly manner is now back. Ian still looks perplexed at Bobbys actions. After a moment, Bobby breaks the silence. BOBBY So are you two... Bobby gestures at Ian and Faye. FAYE Oh, no no no no no no, were just flatmates.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: IAN I think one "no" would have sufficed. Ian turns to Bobby and speaks defensively. IAN (continued) We did have a thing once though. Bobby is innocently intrigued and turns to Faye for elaboration. She waves her hand dismissively. FAYE It didnt work out. BOBBY Oh no, what happened? Bobby takes a sip from his Fruit Shoot. FAYE It was a couple of years ago... We were at a friends party one nightIAN My birthday. FAYE And we got really, really drunkIAN We werent thatFAYE I mean, absolutely blotto, didnt know what was happeningIAN You knew enoughFAYE But when it came down to it, Ian had a little... Malfunction, if you know what I mean.

10.

Faye gestures towards Ians crotch, trying to be subtle but failing miserably. Ian turns away, shielding himself, incredulous at the intimacy of Fayes recount. He speaks in hushed tones. IAN Im sure Petell let you put the whole thing up on the specials board if you ask nicely, Faye, you clearly want everyone to know! (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

Faye waves her hand, smiling nonchalantly. FAYE It was all for the best in the end though, eh. Spared us both all that aggro, much better to just be friends. IAN Yeah, its perfect. Ian almost spits out the "perfect". Faye smiles broadly at Bobby, who grins innocently back. IAN (continued) I need a drink. FAYE Oh yes, me too. The three of them go back inside the pub.

INT. BAR AREA - PUB - LONDON - EVENING Faye and BOBBY join IAN at the bar. FAYE Im just gonna run to the loo. (to Bobby) Then we can try and find out some more juicy details. Faye smiles as she walks off towards the toilets, leaving Bobby and Ian in silence. Bobby looks up and down the bar, taking in all the bottles and beer taps. Ian looks at him with discontent before eventually breaking the silence. IAN Look, Fayes too nice to say but erm, its kind of time that you... Moved on. BOBBY Oh. Ok... IAN When she comes back just say that youve remembered who you are and that youre gonna go home, alright? Itll just make things easier for her. Bobby looks confused.

(CONTINUED)

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12.

BOBBY Right. Ok then... Bobby now looks dejected. Ian turns to the BARMAN to order some drinks. Faye comes back from the toilet and immediately engages Bobby in conversation. Bobbys eyes fleet back and forth between Faye and Ian as she speaks. FAYE I was thinking, and I reckon that we should get you to recite as much of the play as you can remember, then that way you might jog something elseBobby interrupts her, speaking mechanically. BOBBY Oh no, its ok Faye. Ive remembered who I am now, and Im going to go home. Fayes face drops. FAYE Oh, I see. Ian turns around from the bar with mock enthusiasm. IAN You have? Ah, thats great, Bob, well done. FAYE Well, whats your name then? BOBBY Erm... Bobby takes a nervous look down the bar and spots one of the draught taps. BOBBY (continued) John Smith. Ian rolls his eyes. FAYE Oh, well I preferred Bobby. She gives Bobby a weak smile. Ian pinches the bridge of his nose in angst.

(CONTINUED)

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13.

IAN Yeah, me too. BOBBY Well, must be off. Im sure my... Someone is wondering where I am. He begins to move away from the bar and towards the exit, shuffling uncomfortably and not making eye contact. BOBBY I live... This way, so... Bobby gestures towards the door. Faye speaks dejectedly. FAYE Bye then. IAN See ya! Bobby half turns away, knocking into a table and chairs as he does so. He raises his hands in apology to the CUSTOMERS sitting there. Ian looks after him, a wave of guilt rushing across his face. He ponders for a moment, clearly in conflict with himself, before eventually calling after Bobby. IAN Bob! He turns around sharply, knocking the same table and apologising once again. He approaches Faye and Ian, his face expectant. Ian sighs. IAN (continued) Your labels sticking out. Ian points out the label of Bobbys coat, which is protruding. Faye steps forward. FAYE Here, let me. She turns Bobby around and goes to stick his label back down, but stops when she sees it. IAN What? FAYE It says Marvin Fishman. 125 Cowley Road. (to Bobby) Is this your coat, Bobby?

(CONTINUED)

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14.

BOBBY Erm, yes, well, Ive been wearing it for as long as I can remember. Faye pulls the coat from his shoulders to read it closer. FAYE This must be your real name and address then. Bobby turns back round to face them, relief and happiness spreading across his face as he looks down at the label. BOBBY Yeah... Thats right. FAYE Why did you say it was John Smith? Ian looks nervously at Bobby. IAN Yeah Bob, why? BOBBY Well IBobby begins to gesture towards Ian, who is standing behind Faye, shaking his head anxiously at Bobby. BOBBY (continued) I didnt want to be a burden on you guys. Ian is relieved, giving Bobby a weak smile in appreciation. Fayes expression turns to sympathy. FAYE Dont be silly, we wouldve helped you as much as we could. Faye smiles at Bobby who returns one. Faye then turns away excitedly. FAYE Come on, lets have a drink to celebrate! Ian steps forward to speak to Bobby discreetly. He opens his mouth to say something but stops before any words can come out. Instead, he holds out a hand for Bobby to shake, which he does so enthusiastically. Ian turns back to the bar.

(CONTINUED)

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15.

IAN Im buying. BOBBY Ooo, Ill have another one of those Fruit Shoots please. Bobby smiles broadly.

EXT. OUTSIDE PUB - LONDON - NIGHT IAN, FAYE and BOBBY step out of the pub and onto the pavement. Ian and Faye turn around to say goodbye to Bobby. FAYE Bye bye, Bobby. Faye hugs Bobby warmly before moving back. Ian steps forward, holding out his hand. Bobby smiles broadly and shakes. Ian smiles. IAN Good luck to you, Bob. Bobby nods appreciatively and gives them a thumbs up. BOBBY Thanks again guys. FAYE And I hope your insomnia clears up. Bobby smiles broadly and turns walk home. After a moment he turns back with confusion on his face. IAN All the way down to the end and turn right. Bobby gives another smile and thumbs up, before turning back and walking away down the road. Faye and Ian watch him watch him go. IAN (to Fay) Its amnesia he had, by the way. Insomnia is when you cant sleep. FAYE Well... He may well have had insomnia and just forgotten he had it.

(CONTINUED)

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16.

Ian rolls his eyes as they turn to walk their own way home. EXT. STREET - LONDON - NIGHT Bobby is watching that the road. He walk. walking down the street, with Fay and Ian him in the background. After a moment he notices JUGGLER is still busking on the other side of the is transfixed by his skills as he continues to

After a few paces, he clatters into a lamppost and falls heavily to the ground. A nearby MAN and WOMAN witness the accident and rush over to Bobbys side. WOMAN Are you alright? Bobby sits up, rubbing his head. He looks about for a moment, confusion on his face, before replying slowly. BOBBY I dont know. Roll credits.