THE BAIZE

by
Fenigus_Max
@simplyscripts.com

FADE IN:
INT. DIMLY LIT SNOOKER HALL
SNOOKER TABLE
Break. The tip of the cue powers into the cueball. It makes
its way down the table, past the blue and pink.
CLACK! The cueball bounces off the pack of reds, off the
cushion and back up to the baulk end, where it comes to a
stop behind the green ball. What a break!
The cue belongs to MARK WRIGHT (32), a young handsome chap.
Hes alone. Nothing but him and several rows of the highest
quality Snooker tables.
MARK (V.O)
Thats me. Mark Rocket Wright.
Mark chalks up the cue.
MARK (V.O) (CONTD)
And this... is my passion.
Mark looks directly at us.
FADE TO BLACK:
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, THE BIGGEST LOVE OF MY LIFE, IS MY
SNOOKER. IVE NEVER BEEN SO EMOTIONALLY INGRAINED IN
SOMETHING - IN A PERSON, AN OBJECT, ANYTHING - AS I HAVE IN
SNOOKER - RONNIE O SULLIVAN
FADE IN:
EXT. THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE/TUDOR SQUARE SHEFFIELD - NIGHT
The Crucible Theatre. Lit up. Tudor Square. Empty.
SUPER: Capacity. 980.
INT. THE CRUCIBLE THEATRE, SHEFFIELD
The seats are empty. A Snooker table sits in the centre of
the theatre, atop luxurious scarlet red carpet.
Ceiling lights illuminate the table. The darkness hides
everything else.

2.

MARK (V.O)
The World Snooker Championship was
first held here in 1977 and its
been the home of Snooker ever
since.
The World Snooker Championship Trophy rests on a stand at the
end of the table.
MARK (V.O) (CONTD)
Steve Davis. Ronnie O Sullivan.
Stephen Hendry.
The trophy glints.
MARK (V.O) (CONTD)
Each of them, etched in history...
forever.
Beat.
MARK (CONTD)
Nothing else matters...
FADE TO BLACK:
LOOKING FOR PERFECTION IS THE ONLY WAY TO MOTIVATE YOURSELF
- RONNIE OSULLIVAN
FADE IN:
INT. DIMLY LIT SNOOKER HALL
Mark breaks off. His cue action is smooth. Professional.
He chalks his cue as the cueball rolls back up to baulk. It
finishes on the back cushion.
Mark re-racks. Breaks off. Repeats this process three more
times until the cueball finally ends up behind the green.
Mark puts his cue down on the table. Tucks it to cushion.
Exits the room.
EXT. BUSY HIGH STREET - NIGHT
The rain pelts down on a sea of umbrellas. People bundle into
shops, drenched.
Mark runs down the street, soaking wet.

3.

INT. MARKS HOUSE

Mark bundles through the front door, out of the rain. He
wipes his feet on the doormat and rushes into the living
room.
Mark drops to his knees. Pulls a box out from beneath the TV.
Sorts through various DVDs.
MAGGIE WRIGHT (33) hovers at the top of the stairs in her
dressing gown, a baby cries in her arms.
MAGGIE
Mark? Is that you?
She proceeds down the stairs with caution.
Mark pulls a DVD out from the collection. Labelled Ronnie O
Sullivan 147. He inserts it into the DVD Player.
Maggie peeks her head around the door frame.
Mark grabs the remote. Switches the TV on. Plonks himself
down on the sofa.
MAGGIE (CONTD)
Mark?
His eyes, glued to the TV.
MAGGIE (CONTD)
Where have you been Mark?
MARK
Out.
MAGGIE
For three days?
The baby SCREAMS.
MAGGIE (CONTD)
Cant you see what youre doing to
us Mark?
Mark makes eye contact. Time slows down.
MARK (V.O)
I look into her eyes. She needs me.
Maggie shouts at Mark. No sound.

4.

MARK (V.O.)
But all I can think about is
Ronnies 147. Red. Black. Red.
Black. Each ball manipulated to
perfection.
INT. DIMLY LIT SNOOKER HALL
Mark builds a break.
MARK (V.O)
Each ball, certain. The laws of
physics... moulding champions.
Moulding men.
Mark pots the black ball.
MARK (V.O)(CONTD)
I think about my life. My family.
My child.
Mark looks directly at us.
MARK (V.O) (CONTD)
None of it matters.
CUT TO BLACK:
I DONT THINK I SUFFERED WITH DEPRESSION, I DONT THINK IM
A DEPRESSED TYPE OF PERSON - I JUST THINK I SUFFERED A
DEPRESSION TO DO WITH SNOOKER, AND I JUST COULDNT HANDLE IT.
I COULD GO OUT AND PLAY, BUT TAKE ME OUT OF THERE AND I
COULDNT DO LIFE. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE, MY LIFE JUST FELT LIKE
A BIT OF A NIGHTMARE - RONNIE OSULLIVAN
FADE OUT:
THE END

5.