SIBYL.

A HALF HOUR fantasy ANIMATION.

1. EXT. DAY. BUSY URBAN HIGH STREET.

With the town clock at 5 p.m. we see the end of the working day in a

high road, crowds bustling, hurrying homewards. Rush hour traffic.

The figure of JONATHAN GILMAN becomes visible from amongst

the bustling crowds, as he walks slowly, plodding. He is in his early

sixties, rotund, short, almost bald and wears a tatty suit. He carries a

decrepit briefcase. He bumbles closer. Suddenly, a running MAN has

knocked him to the ground. He is in his thirties and casually dressed

in jeans and T-shirt. He continues running, ignoring GILMAN.

GILMAN'S briefcase goes flying. GILMAN falls, shocked and

stunned. He turns to gaze incredulously at his assailant. The MAN

 looks back - an expression of abject fear. The man runs into the traffic

dodging between the cars. A red car hits him. The sound of car

horns, screech of tyres. A thud. The running of feet past GILMAN

as the crowd gathers.

GILMAN: Dear me, oh dear me. Goodness me. Goodness me.

A pair of feet in front of a shop window appear. Odd pair of brightly

coloured socks. Leather sandals. The hem of a luridly coloured dress

becomes visible. GILMAN looks at legs and back to accident. The

pair of feet walk towards GILMAN, still looking at accident. The

woman bends and drops into view. SIBIL is tall, black mass of hair,

angular face, in her late twenties. A strong accent. She is gaudily

dressed, scarf, large ear rings, jewellery; a witch.

SIBIL: Are you all right love?

GILMAN looks up sharply to look at SIBIL. Incomprehension.

GILMAN: Uh, um ...

SIBIL : You all right?

GILMAN: I didn't, he wasn't, I ..

SIBIL: Dreadful, wasn't it.

GILMAN: But I, just pushed, fell ...

SIBIL: Must have given you a real fright, pushing past you like that.

SIBIL helps GILMAN clamber to his feet.

GILMAN: I didn't know him, he just ran past me, I -

SIBIL: I know all that love, I saw it all.

GILMAN: What? What?

 SIBIL: All, you understand? But you're really quite unsettled aren't you?

GILMAN Thank you all the same, but the time ... my wife.

SILBIL: No, no, I insist - you're hardly in a fit state to go home now, are you?

After that dreadful ordeal. A cup of char will perk you up a bit. And a

doughnut. And look, isn't that, fortunate? Just where I was standing.

SIBIL points towards cafe. They walk towards cafe.

SIBIL: Just where I was when I saw you fall.

GILMAN: I'm not sure, I'm not sure .. if...

SIBIL: Of course you must. Don't worry about that man. With a bit of luck nobody

else saw him run into you. Come on, I'll treat you to a cup of tea.

SIBIL leads a reluctant GILMAN through the door.

SIBIL: You'll love the tea here. And the doughnuts.

They leave GILMAN'S forgotten briefcase on pavement.

2. INT. DAY. BUSY CAFE.

GILMAN SITS GAZING OUT OF WINDOW AT THE CROWDS.

SIBIL APPEARS, PLACES TRAY BEFORE GILMAN. SHE SITS.

THEY BOTH LOOK OUT. BLUE BEACONS BLAZING.

CROWDS GATHERING.

SIBIL: Must have given you a real fright, pushing past you like that!

GILMAN: I didn't know him, he just ran into me!

SIBIL: I know, I know love, you've already told me. You're really quite unsettled

aren't you. There there, drink your tea.

GILMAN DRINKS HIS TEA. HE BEGINS TO EAT HIS

 DOUGHNUT. WE SEE SIBIL CHATTERING AWAY AS A

THOUGHT BUBBLE APPEARS ABOVE GILMAN'S HEAD.

GILMAN'S THOUGHTS: I suppose I had to be polite, after she took the

bother of helping me. But such ridiculous clothes! Like someone out of a

circus. One of those women who tell fortunes - what do they call them?

Crystal gazers?

ONE OF SIBIL'S SENTENCES BECOMES AUDIBLE.

GILMAN: I beg your pardon?!

SIBIL: I said they always think I'm mistaken. I tell them but they never believe me.

GILMAN'S FACE, UNEASY. SIBIL'S SMILING.

GILMAN LOOKS AT HIS WATCH.

GILMAN: I'm sorry, but I must go, you know. My wife ..

SIBIL: It's a shame when they ask.

GILMAN: Ask?

SIBIL: Yes, I can give, but they must never ask.

GILMAN: Yes, really, but look at the time! I must thank you for the tea ... Miss? ..

Mrs?... it was most beneficial.

I won't forget it -

SYBIL: Regret it?

GILMAN: No, forget it ... in my moment of need.

GILMAN STARTS TO RISE.

SYBIL: Need? Your moment of need? But isn't this it? And what do you need?

Money? That's always a good starter, isn't it?

GILMAN: Who are you? What are you talking about?. What do you want?

SIBIL: How much shall we say?

GILMAN: To keep quiet!? Look It wasn't my fault: He just ran into me! Pushed

past me. I've never seen him before.

SIBIL: I know you haven't dear. There's no need to be so ... excitable. Now, how

much shall we say?

SIBYL'S HAND, AFTER HAVING GIVEN GILMAN A

REASSURING PAT ON THE ARM, FLICKS A COIN THROUGH

THE AIR. IT LANDS TAILS. SHE DELIBERATES OVER AN

APPROPRIATE SUM.

SYBIL: How about four hundred and eighty three pounds? four hundred and eighty

three? Will that do? And ninety one pence?

GILMAN'S FACE, A SLOW REALISATION

GILMAN: Ah, I see! You're trying to cheer me up and make me laugh! Thank

heavens for that! Your humour's a little strange perhaps .. but funny.

What a pity I can't stay longer. I'm late as it is, my wife ... I must ..

SYBIL: No matter. We'll meet again.

GILMAN: Um, yes, well, let's hope so. Yes. Well. Goodbye then.

GILMAN STANDS, EDGES HIMSELF AWAY.

SIBYL: Oh, but Jonathan .. Don't forget your briefcase.

SYBIL HANDS GILMAN BRIEFCASE.

GILMAN : That's funny, I don't remember giving you my ... Well. thank you.

GILMAN WALKS TOWARDS DOOR: GILMAN TURNS; HIS

POV: EMPTY CAFE, NO STAFF OR CUSTOMERS.

GILMAN: That's funny .. could have sworn...

A CONFUSED GILMAN EXITS CAFE. DOOR SHUTS. SIBYL

 FLIPS A COIN INTO THE AIR, REPEATING THE ACTION

SEVERAL TIMES.

SIBYL (SINGING): Up and down, round and round, up and down we fall. I chose,

you lose, red car or blue car, always your call.

THE COIN RISES HIGHER AND HIGHER BEFORE SYBIL LETS

IT FALL THE INTO GILMAN'S HALF DRUNK CUP OF TEA.

THE SLOPS TRICKLE DOWN TO SAUCER.

SYBIL: It's a shame really. They always think I'm mistaken.

3. INT. HALLWAY. EVE.

SUBURBAN HOUSE IN THE STYLE OF THE FIFTIES;

FADED WALLPAPER, POSTCARDS FROM SEASIDE RESORTS

STUCK HAPHAZARDLY ON THE STAIRCASE SIDE. THE

SOUND OF A KEY IN THE DOOR. THE FRONT DOOR OPENS,

GILMAN ENTERS. HE SHUTS THE DOOR LOUDLY. HE

SILENTLY MOUTHES 'Hello Dear, had a good day?' MRS.

GILMAN'S VOICE FROM THE KITCHEN.

MRS GILMAN: Hello dear, had a good day?

GILMAN SIGHS. HE BEGINS TO HANG HIS COAT UP ON A

HANGER. WE HEAR HIS THOUGHTS.

GILMAN'S THOUGHTS: Twenty three years. Twenty three years. You wouldn't

have believed it, would you? Every night I've come home, tired, weary, today
battered ... always ... 'Hello dear, had a good day?' Never any .. you know ... passion.

GILMAN'S VIEW OF THE WALL. THE EDGES BECOME

BLURRED; GILMAN IS DAYDREAMING. MRS. GILMAN'S

BODY APPEARS, DRESSED SEDUCTIVELY IN A BLACK

LEATHER BIKINI. HALFWAY UP THE WALL A HEAD

APPEARS, BUT IT'S GILMAN'S SECRETARY.

SECRETARY: Darling .. I've been waiting .. so long ...

SECRETARY MOVES ALONG THE WALL TOWARDS HIM.

ENTICING GESTURES.

I've a letter for you.

GILMAN: What?

THE VISION VANISHES. MRS. GILMAN IS DRESSED DRABLY,

WEARS SPECTACLES.

MRS. GILMAN: I've a letter for you.

GILMAN: Oh.

GILMAN TAKES THE LETTER AND WANDERS THROUGH TO

SITTING ROOM. SITTING ROOM: DECREPIT SOFA, PRINT OF

THE CHINESE WOMAN ON THE WALL, LACE CURTAINS,

FADED. GILMAN SLOUCHES IN ARMCHAIR. HIS WIFE

STANDS APPREHENSIVELY BESIDE HIM. GILMAN'S POV OF

THE SITTING ROOM WINDOW. THE SCREEN EDGE BECOMES

BLURRED. SHADOWS OUTSIDE THE WINDOW. THE

WINDOW SHATTERS. MEN IN BLACK BUSINESS SUITS AND

BOWLER HATS BEGIN TO CLAMBER IN. DARKNESS. A

GLARING LAMP IN GILMAN'S FACE. TERROR. SWEAT.

 BLOOD ON HIS LIPS. INTERROGATING VOICES.

VOICE I: Why don't you confess?

VOICE 2: Tell us all about it?

VOICE I: You think we don't know?

VOICE 2: Tax evasion?

VOICE I: Fraud?

VOICE 2: Embezzlement?

ALL VOICES: We saw it all!

MRS GILMAN'S FACE APPEARS NEXT TO GILMAN'S SHE

SPEAKS, BUT WE HEAR THE HEAR THE AGGRESSIVE MALE

VOICE.

VOICE 2: Why don't you open it dear?

GILMAN: What?

THE VISION VANISHES. MRS GILMAN'S CONCERNED FACE.

MRS. GILMAN:Why don't you open it dear?

GILMAN: What? Oh yes, yes.

GILMAN OPENS LETTER, FUMBLING AND NERVOUS. HE

EXAMINES CONTENTS.

GILMAN: Goodness me. Goodness me! It's a rebate: After all these years!. All

this time! They've given me some money. Me!

GILMAN LOOKS AT MRS. GILMAN IN ELATION. A

HESITATION, BEFORE GILMAN LEAPS FORWARD AND

KISSES MRS. GILMAN ON THE CHEEK. MRS. GILMAN

 TOUCHING HER CHEEK.

MRS. GILMAN: How exciting.

GILMAN (POINTING AT LETTER): Yes! Isnt it! And look, they've given me four

hundred and ... four hundred and ... how extraordinary. Amazing.

Fantastic. I tell you dear Today I met a woman who told me the

exact amount of money I'd come into. I can't explain it. I mean, it's

uncanny.

MRS. GILMAN: STILL TOUCHING HER CHEEK How exciting.

GILMAN: Uncanny.

MRS GILMAN: Yes, dear? I expect she was just Mr Taxman's secretary.

A HESITATION, THEN MRS GILMAN LEANS FORWARD TO

RETURN KISS. GILMAN DISTASTEFUL.

GILMAN: Really, mother. There's no need to make such an exhibition of yourself.

MRS GILMAN. Yes dear. I'm sorry dear. I mustn't get you excited. I'll go and make

you another cup of tea.

MRS. GlLMAN SCURRIES FROM ROOM. GILMAN SITS. HE

SIGHS. HE HOLDS HIS LETTER. WE HEAR HIS THOUGHTS.

GILMAN'S THOUGHTS Twenty three years. You wouldn't have believed it would

you? Twenty three years. Every night. 'I'll make you another cup of tea,' she says.

Every night. What happened to the first one, that's what I want to know. What

happened to the first cup of tea?! The first cup!?

GILMAN FUMBLES THROUGH HIS BRIEFCASE.

GILMAN: I'm sure I bought a paper tonight. Before that ... acci - incident. Haven't

had a chance to tell her about it yet - how I tried to save that man from

recklessly, foolishly throwing himself under ... it was no use .. he was

too strong for me .. it was hopeless ..

 GILMAN SMILING TO HIMSELF CLOSES HIS EYES. LETTER

ON ARMCHAIR.

4. EXT. DAY. BUSY URBAN HIGH STREET.

THE TOWN CLOCK READS 8.45 GILMAN WALKS DOWN

HIGH STREET. GILMAN'S POV OF SHOPS OPPOSITE;

BAKER'S, CHEMIST, SUPERMARKET, SWEET SHOP. NO

CAFE.

GILMAN'S FACE, EXPRESSION OF PUZZLEMENT.

GILMAN: Wasn't it there, right there?

GILMAN'S POV: DOUBLE TAKE OF SHOPS.

Not here? Not here!?

A LITTLE GIRL WALKS PAST, (ALICE), HOLDING RABBIT.

ALICE : Curiouser and curiouser.

GILMAN: But it was this very street. Not here?

WE FOLLOW GILMAN UNTIL HE TURNS INTO A DOORWAY.

GILMAN: Not there? But I'm sure

5. INT. DAY. CLERK'S OFFICE.

A RUNDOWN OFFICE DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS:

SECRETARY'S AND GILMAN'S. ROWS OF METAL FILING

CABINETS. THE YOUNG SECRETARY, VOLUPTUOUS,

PRETTY, COCKNEY, SITS FILING HER NAILS. SHE LOOKS AT

HER WATCH AS GILMAN ENTERS. GILMAN' S POV OF HER

AS HE MAKES HIS WAY ACROSS TO HIS OFFICE.

SECRETARY: Always spot on, aren't you? Reliable I'd say. I tell the boss he

should be more like you - do the business no end of good. You

haven't missed a day in twenty three years, have you? What a

pity he can't be more like you. Have you noticed he's always

ten minutes late? If he's not playing golf?

GILMAN'S VOICE: Yes, I've noticed.

SECRETARY: Yes, terrible isn't it? Would you like me to bring you some

tea Mr. Gilman? In your office? The usual two sugars?

GILMAN: That would. be lovely, Miss .. Um ..Um..

GILMAN' S OFFICE DOOR CLOSING. HIS NAME IS

PRINTED IN TINY, FADED GOLD LETTERS, AND

FOLLOWED BY THE WORD, BOOKKEEPER. GILMAN

SITTING BEHIND HIS DESK. A CALENDER, MANUAL

CALCULATOR, CLOCK, FILES, PENS CLUTTER THE

DESK. GILMAN SIPS TEA.

GILMAN'S THOUGHTS Yes Miss .. um .. Shirley, I've noticed. Arriving

ten minutes late in the morning. Oh yes I've noticed. Leaving early for lunch,

early for tea, early at the end of the day - Oh yes I've noticed! And ever since

I've been here. And how long has that been? As if I didn't know. Twenty three

years? Twenty three years! And all those ten minutes. Added up. What would

the total be? How many wasted hours? Days?

GILMAN'S HAND TAPPING OUT FIGURES ON THE

CALCULATOR.VOICE OVER;

GILMAN'S THOUGHTS; Um, how much, eh? twenty three times .. three

hundred and sixty five days, how long eh ?

GILMAN'S OFFICE DOOR OPENING. MR. BOSS'S FACE

 APPEARS. HE IS ELDERLY BUT SLEEK AND

SPRIGHTLY.

MR BOSS: Up and at it early Gilman?! Good chap, good man! Well I'm just

off for a spot of lunch, before a round of golf. Keep up the good work!

THE DOOR SHUTS. CLOCK SAYS 9.23.

GILMAN: A spot of lunch eh? Yes, that's what you call it. Huh! And don't

forget to take your number four iron with you.

(MR BOSS'S VOICE OFF): 'Have you seen my number four iron Shirley?')

GILMAN: Ah, that's it.

GILMAN TEARS OFF PAPER FROM ACCOUNTING

MACHINE. HE LOOKS INCREDULOUSLY AT THE

TOTAL, THEN ANGRILY SCREWS UP PAPER.

GILMAN: As much as that? As much as that! Who would have believed it?

I don't believe it!

6. EXT. DAY. BUSY URBAN HIGH STREET

THE CLOCK READS 12 NOON. GILMAN WALKS DOWN

STREET. HIS VIEW OF SHOPS.

GILMAN: Strange that. Could have sworn it was here.

GILMAN'S VIEW OF THE SHOP FRONTS; BAKERS,

CHEMIST, CAFE, SUPERMARKET, SWEET SHOP.

DOUBLE TAKE BACK TO FIND CAFE.

GILMAN: Very strange. Surely I would have noticed? This morning?

GILMAN CROSSES ROAD AND IS HONKED BY A

SINGLE RED CAR.

GILMAN: Road hogs! Round Hogs!

 GILMAN ENTERS CAFE. IT'S BUSY. HE LOOKS

AROUND TO SEE SIBIL.

GILMAN: Ah, there she is.

SIBIL'S POV OF GILMAN AS HE STUMBLES AROUND

TABLES, CHAIRS. APOLOGIES AND EXCUSES TO ALL.

SIBIL: Hello. I was expecting you.

GILMAN SITS. A CUP OF TEA AND A DOUGHNUT WAIT

FOR HIM.

GILMAN: How did you know? How could you know? How could you be

so ... right?! My wife even suggested that you were the taxman's

secretary!

SIBIL: The devil in disguise, eh? But a tax rebate was it?

GILMAN: Well of course it was. You knew didn't you?

SIBIL: No. Should I have done?

GILMAN IS CONFUSED/

GILMAN: But then .. how?

SIBIL: Don't worry about it love - just have a cup of tea.

GILMAN: Yes Yes, thank you, thank you. But won't you join me?

SIBIL: No thanks, I prefer something a little ... darker myself. Besides I can't

stay. In a bit of a hurry you see.

SIBIL COCKS HER THUMB TOWARDS THE BASEMENT.

I've an appointment ... downstairs. But thanks for the offer anyway.

GILMAN: You're going so soon? But aren't you going to explain?

SIBIL: Explain?

GILMAN: The money! And how could you be so exact? Four hundred and eighty

three pounds! And ninety pence! How could you be so exact?!

 SIBIL: Well, you're a book keeper aren't you? And besides, these things happen.

Oh, by the way, you left your newspaper here yesterday. Why don't you

read it? Catch up with what you missed?

SIBIL STANDS. GILMAN TAKES PAPER.

GILMAN: But it's yesterdays!

SIBIL: You didn't buy one today, did you?

GILMAN: No, but that's not the point!

GILMAN GLANCES AT HEADLINES

Who wants to read old headlines? Why save it?

GILMAN TURNS TO LOOK FOR SIBIL. HIS POV:

EMPTY CAFE.

Empty?

GILMAN LOOKS AT CLOCK. 1PM.

Already? One o'clock? But I've only been here a few minutes! One

o'clock! Impossible.

GILMAN SHUFFLES TO HIS FEET. HE FUMBLES WITH

NEWSPAPER, INDECISIVE.

I might as well take it - something to read during my tea break eh. A

little light relief. One o'clock already? Incredible. Never been late yet.

Not once. In twenty three years. Strange that, how time flies.

GILMAN MAKES HIS WAY TO THE DOOR, EXITS.

7. EXT. DAY. CAFE FRONT

GILMAN STANDS IN FRONT OF CAFE LOOKING AT TRAFFIC.

THE CAFE INTERIOR SUDDENLY BECOMES FULL. SIBIL'S

FACE, GRINNING MALICIOUSLY. SHE FLICKS COIN.

8. INT. DAY. GILMAN'S OFFICE

THE CLOCK ON GILMAN'S DESK READS 2.30. HE PUTS

DOWN HIS CUP, FLICKS THROUGH NEWSPAPER.

GILMAN: How did she know that? that I hadn't bought a paper? And why give the

old one back? Nothing of any importance. Usual tittle tattle. An

earthquake. A kidnap. Ah, look. How extraordinary - someone with my

name run down by a car - a blue car does it say? - I'll have to be more

careful. There can't be many of us left! And just down the road too.

Just shows, one can't be too careful, can one? Can't be too careful

nowadays. Wonder what the weather's like? See if they're right.

GILMAN TURNS TO FRONT OF PAPER AND CHECKS UPPER

RIGHT HAND CORNER.

Mild, then wet, then sunny. That's true, that's true! Can't go wrong there,

can you? I mean, it's vague enough .. I ..

GILMAN SITS, AN INCREDULOUS EXPRESSION FORMING

ON HIS FACE.

Can't be true? Can't be true - perhaps I'm mistaken?

DATE OF PAPER. CUT TO CALENDAR.

No, no, no, I'm right! No doubt about it at all, no doubt at all!

CLOSE UP OF CALENDAR; 25TH MARCH, CLOSE UP OF

NEWSPAPER: 1st APRIL

Unbelievable, I don't believe it! So that's why - she knew all the time! This

is it! What I've always dreamed about. Shares! Football pools! The horses.

I can do them all, win them all! The lottery - I can win it!!

CLOSE UP OF NEXT WEEKS LOTTERY NUMBERS.

 And you. Yes,

MR. BOSS'S FACE FILLS THE SCREEN. GILMAN SLAPPING

RESIGNATION LETTER UNTO BOSS'S DESK. BOSS

GESTICULATING WILDLY, ON KNEES, PLEADING FOR

GILMAN TO STAY.

Yes, I'll make you accountable for all those wasted years! That day you

receive my resignation ... ah, yes, you wont be able to get out of it then, will

you. No more golf on sunny afternoons with me slaving in the shade for you!

Ah, now! All these years I've waited! Ah, at last! Now for the lottery! This is

it, this is it!

9. INT. DAY. CAFE

CAFE BUSY. DOOR OPENS. GILMAN NOW DRESSED IN

LOUD SUIT, LARGE CIGAR. HE SWAGGERS ACROSS TO THE

COUNTER, ORDERS TEA, CHEESECAKE, ABSURDLY

OVERTIPS THE CASHIER WITH A FIVE POUND NOTE. HE

LOOKS AROUND, NOTICES SIBIL. HE SWAGGERS ACROSS

NOW ORDERING EVERYONE OUT OF THE WAY. SIBIL SITS,

INDIFFERENTLY WAITING.

SIBIL: Hello. I was expecting you.

SPEECH BUBBLE APPEARS ABOVE GILMAN'S HEAD: Beginning to

sound like my wife ...

Cheesecake?

GILMAN: Oh, yes. I can afford to be more extravagant now.

SIBIL: Oh you can, can you?

GILMAN: That paper, the date? How do you do it? Why it's fantastic. And yet, a

perfect stranger - I don't even know your name. What is your name?
SIBIL: You have not guessed?

GILMAN: No, of course not! How could I?

SIBIL: No, I suppose not. They never do, do they? But I hope you made some use

then, of the news?

GILMAN: Oh yes, yes! I won the lottery! My numbers came up!

SIBIL: Your numbers? But what of the other news? The accidents?

GILMAN: Accidents? You mean the earthquake. That kidnap? How could I have

said anything? They wouldn't have believed me, would they? They would

have called me a doddering old fool! Who would have listened to an old man

warning of a kidnap? They would have accused me of participation!Me!

SIBIL: Yes. Perhaps.

GILMAN: Well, I can't tell you how excited I am at this good fortune you've

brought me. Changed my whole life. Even my wife smiles when I get home.

What's next on the list? What can you, what are you going to give me now?

SIBIL: Ah.

SIBIL FLICKS THE COIN INTO THE AIR. SHE LETS IT

FALL AND THEN LEANS OVER AS TO CHECK ITS FACE.

Chance be a fine thing. Oh dear. You seemed so pleasant, in your own

eccentric way.

GILMAN: Eccentric? Me?

SIBIL: And I even gave you a clue. I told you not to ask. I even bent the rules for

you.

GILMAN : The rules?

SIBIL : It's the catch you see, the clause .. in the contract.

GILMAN: Contract?
 SIBIL: At first I was hopeful, optimistic. I thought you were different from all the

others.

GILMAN: Others?

SIBIL: It's a shame really. They never seem to listen.

GILMAN: Listen? what on earth are you talking about?!

SIBIL: You just can't see, can you? The others couldn't either. Why can't you

understand? You mustn't ask. You must never ask. If you ask I have to spin

the coin. And this time it's tails I win, heads you lose. Oh dear. Why is

everybody so .. greedy?

GILMAN: Heads I lose? So that's it, is it? Never mind. Still, I've got enough to last

me the rest of my days.

SIBIL: Spend it quickly old man, or perhaps you really didn't understand. I said,

tails I win, heads you lose.

GILMAN FACES SIBIL; INCOMPREHENSION, TURNING TO

FEAR AS SIBIL'S FACE TURNS INTO A DEVILISH MASK,

LEERING MALICIOUSLY. THE COIN IS HEADS. GILMAN

MAKES TO GET AWAY FROM SIBIL. HE STUMBLES AWAY.

THE CAFE IS NOW EMPTY.

10. EXT. DAY. BUSY URBAN HIGH STREET.

THE CLOCK READS 5 PM. THE END OF A WORKING DAY, CROWDS

BUSTLING, HURRYING HOMEWARDS. RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THE

FIGURE OF JOHN GRANGE BECOMES VISIBLE. HE IS IN HIS

THIRTIES, SMART SLEEK SUIT, AN EFFICIENT BUSINESSMAN.

SUDDENLY JONATHAN GILMAN, EXITING CAFE, STUMBLES INTO

HIM. GRANGE REELS BACK BUT DOES NOT FALL.

GRANGE: I say, steady on old man.

 GILMAN'S FACE, FEARFUL.

You OK old boy?

GILMAN: Don't talk to her, not a word! She's evil!

GILMAN RUNS INTO ROAD. THE RED CAR HONKS. THE

SCREECH OF TYRES. THE THUD. GILMAN'S HEAD.

GRANGE: Goodness gracious me!

VOICE: You all right love?

GRANGE: How extraordinary - He just run .. straight into me.

SIBIL (APPEARING NORMAL)STANDS BY GRANGE

Did you see that? He ran straight into the road! Like he had some sort of ...

death wish!

SIBIL: Yes, I saw it all. Dreadful wasn't it.

GRANGE : Terrible.

SIBIL: What you need is a nice cup of tea.

GRANGE: You know, I think I do.

SIBIL: And look, a cafe. How convenient. Let me take your arm. Ah good. Come

into my parlour

GRANGE: Ah yes - as the spider said to the fly. Ha!

SIBIL LOOKS TO CAMERA, WINKS.

END