LOCAL CORNER SHOP– MORNING

AMBER, a young British teenager/young adult is shown leaving a local

corner shop listening to music and strolling down the street eating
sweets. BLAKE calls AMBER.
AMBER
“Hello”
BLAKE
“I’ve got to leave for work in 20 minutes, where are you?”
AMBER
*seems agitated*
“I’m just down the road, I’ll be back in a minute”
BLAKE
“Hurry up, this bread won’t butter itself *scoffs*”
BLAKE hangs up the phone *Beeping sound effect* AMBER puts her earphones
back in and continues to walk.
(AMBER approaches the front door where BLAKE and AMBER live; BLAKE opens
the door as she goes to put her key in the lock)
AMBER
“Oh, do you not want your breakfast?”
BLAKE
“Too late now, I told you I needed to leave in 20 minutes, half an hour
ago”
(BLAKE grabs the keys in a hurry)
BLAKE
“I might need these *laughs under breath* see you later!”
(Camera fades out- FLASHBACK)
(BLAKE snatches the keys off AMBER)
AMBER
*confused* “I need those, I was going to pop out later to see Charlotte,
she’s just had her baby”
BLAKE
*Aggressive* “No you don’t, you are staying in! Do you hear me?”
(Camera fades back out to reality)
*Door Slam*
Aftertaste title credits:
1
 (Black screen fades into bedroom door; make-up box closes, AMBER hides
appointment card and counselling leaflets as door opens, camera quickly
pans upwards to her in the mirror, BLAKE is standing behind her)
Over-the-shoulder of AMBER:
AMBER
“Oh hey babe, sorry… I weren’t expecting you home this early”
BLAKE
“So basically you weren’t listening to me”
AMBER
“Listening to what? *pause, panic in voice* I didn’t hear what you said,
you know I always listen to you, how has your day been?”
*DOOR SLAM* (BLAKE leaves the room, AMBER is left hesitant as to what to
do, sits down and huffs as she’s confused at his constant aggressive
actions)
(POV shot of AMBER getting up, going downstairs and holds the kitchen
door handle where BLAKE is.)
Mid-shot/two-shot of the couple:
AMBER
I asked you how your day was. *BLAKE IGNORES* so basically you’re not
listening to me?
(BLAKE turns around to face AMBER)
Close-Up/Two Shot:
BLAKE
*Raises voice* Can you shut up a minute!
(AMBER realises BLAKE is in a bad mood she becomes quite hesitant as to
what to say even though she wants to talk to him.)
AMBER
Don’t get pissy with me; I am only trying to look out for you!
BLAKE
*Calm voice* I’ve told you before, I don’t need looking out for every
minute of the day *Voice Raises*
BLAKE POV-shot looking at AMBER:
You’re a grown woman, look after yourself for once!
(AMBER brushes her hair towards her face to cover a new wound she
realised she didn’t cover with make-up, BLAKE grabs her hair then
notices the wound)
2
 BLAKE
*Immediately calms down, audiences can see guilt in his face when he
notices the bruise he gave her*
I mean… I’m sorry okay? Shall we go talk over food? I fancy a drink.
AMBER
*shocked that BLAKE is being affectionate*
Yeah… yeah that would be nice.
BLAKE
Go get ready then.
(AMBER smiles at BLAKE then leaves the room, grabbing the keys off the
side) *restaurant music starts to fade in*
*CAMERA CUTS, Restaurant scene*
(Mellow music, Couple are sat on a table for two)
AMBER
Thank you for taking me out, it was really kind of you considering you
have had a stressful day.
BLAKE
Why do you not think I would? That’s what good boyf-
(BLAKE is interrupted by the waitress of the restaurant)
WAITRESS
Hi, I’m Sarah I will be looking after you today, can I get you both any
drinks?

BLAKE
Pint of Stella for me
WAITRESS
And for you? (Glares over at AMBER)
AMBER
Water will be fine for me, thank you.
BLAKE
*Subtly aggressive* A water? You mean I’ve driven you all the way here
for water I could’ve got you that at home? *realises the waitress is
waiting, calms down* Here, how about a cocktail?
(Passes AMBER the cocktail list)
3
 AMBER
Would a sparkling water make you happy?
WAITRESS
*clears throat* so is that a pint of Stella and a sparkling water?
BLAKE
No she will get a Rosé.
WAITRESS
*glances at AMBER, confused and concerned*
Ok, no problem. Anything to accompany that?
BLAKE
Yes love, can I get the rump steak?
WAITRESS
Any sides with that?
BLAKE
Yeah, just a side of chips that’ll be fine.
WAITRESS
No problem, and for you dear?
AMBER
Can I get the chicken caesar salad but without the dressing?
*BLAKE huffs, shakes his head*
WAITRESS
No worries, anything else for you both?
BLAKE
No, that’s all thanks love.
WAITRESS
Ok give us a shout if you need anything, drinks will be over soon.
(BLAKE hands over his menu, WAITRESS exits)
BLAKE
There’s a whole menu in front of you and you pick… a salad?!
AMBER
Babe, I didn’t come out here to argue, I had a big lunch alright?
BLAKE
Why did we come out then if you had-
4
 (WAITRESS enters with drinks)
WAITRESS
Pint of Stella and the rosé for you my love.
(WAITRESS puts down drinks and walks off)
BLAKE
*sips drink*, ahh this is just what I needed.
AMBER
Yes, it’s lovely in here isn’t it? *looks around the restaurant*
FADES OUT:
(BLAKE and AMBER are back home, BLAKE slams the front door, turns to
AMBER- BLAKE is reasonably intoxicated)
BLAKE
Good night weren’t it babe? Just going to be upstairs, come up if you
need me. (Shows affection to AMBER)
**POV of BLAKE going upstairs. VOICEOVER**
I really do love her, but I don’t want to be like my dad. I just wish I
listened to her when she offered help; she refuses to ask the question
now. I think she’s stupid for staying with me but I guess I can be a
‘good’ boyfriend if I put my mind to it.
BLAKE
AMBER! How many times have I told you to move this make-up box off this
desk, the room looks so cluttered with all your stuff!
(BLAKE goes to grab the make-up box to put away, finds the appointment
card AMBER tried to hide at the start of the film)
(Camera cuts to AMBER in the kitchen- POV of AMBER)
AMBER
*VOICEOVER*
His shouting at me again, should I tell him what I’ve done before he
finds it in the box, how’s he going to react? How will I explain this to
him? He told me that he doesn’t need looking out for every day. Does he
really love me? Is this pain worth it?

CAMERA CUTS:
(Both, BLAKE and AMBER are in the bedroom, AMBER notices the make-up box
is open)
AMBER
Made you a tea.
5
 BLAKE
Mhm...
AMBER
Everything alright babe? Are you tired?
(AMBER goes into her make-up box and finds the card missing- she
proceeds to rummage for make-up wipes.)
BLAKE
*Sad voice* is this what you really think of me?
AMBER
Wait what? What do you mean?
(Silence, AMBER turns around to face the mirror she is bruised and
wounded... she starts to remove remaining make-up. AMBER turns around
BLAKE is sat on the bed with the appointment card)
BLAKE
Do you think I should go to this?
AMBER
Babe, I’m sorry okay? I just want the best for you, **Panicked** I can
cancel it, please just forgive me for this.
BLAKE
Chill out, it’s not that deep *sigh* I need to realise what I’ve got
before I lose it.
(AMBER goes and sits next to BLAKE on the bed)

Two-Shot:
AMBER
Really? This is not how you reacted last time.
FLASHBACK:
BLAKE
Are you fucking stupid! Therapy are you deluded!
AMBER
It’s only an offer, don’t fucking go then.
BLAKE
*ANGRY* WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU JUST SAY?
AMBER
6
 *Petrified* I’m sorry!
(BLAKE hits Amber)
Zooms-out/as soon as BLAKE hits AMBER cuts to the next shot, High-angle
shot of the couple in bed:

AMBER
I can cancel it; I didn’t want to seem controlling I just-
BLAKE
I’ll go.
AMBER
*Shocked* What?
BLAKE
I’ll go.
Camera cuts to the next day, extreme close-up shot of BLAKE’S phone,
alarm is going off.
POV- AMBER blinking:
BLAKE
Babe, I’m off
AMBER
Where are you going?
BLAKE
Have you forgotten? *smiles at AMBER*
BLAKE closes the door carefully, and opens the front door, AMBER comes
running down the stairs as BLAKE forgot his appointment card, AMBER also
hands over a card from his mum before she left.
AMBER
Well, have you forgotten something? *Smiles at BLAKE*
BLAKE
*Laughs* I’ll see you later babe.
Camera cuts, BLAKE is sat in the car, Camera is placed on dashboard to
set the scene, he picks up the appointment card and the card his mum
wrote him and begins to read.
POV of what BLAKE is looking at:
**VOICEOVER OF BLAKE’s MUM, Camera does not see the character**

7
Hi Son, Happy 7th Birthday. Sorry I can’t be there for you at the moment;
I hope daddy is looking after you. I’m sorry for leaving; it was just a
hard time for mummy and daddy at the moment. I hope school is ok and you
have lots of friends. If dad doesn’t give you this card, I hope you read
this in the future. Hopefully speak soon. I love you millions and
millions xxxx
(BLAKE closes the card, wipes his tears and heads to the therapy door.)
SPLIT-SCREEN:
(Camera is placed over-the-shoulder of the councillor on BLAKE’s side
and a mid-shot of AMBER sat on the sofa on the phone to her friend)
(AMBER ANSWERS ALL THE QUESTIONS THE COUNCILLOR IS ASKING BLAKE BUT FROM
HER POINT OF VIEW TALKING TO HER FRIEND)
COUNCILLOR
What brings you here today?
AMBER
I mean… he hit me a few times, made me feel like shit but I saw
potential in him hence why I stayed.
COUNCILLOR
Blake, I am here to help you (BLAKE’S anger starts to build up in his
eyes) Have you ever seen a councillor before?
AMBER
I tried offering professional help before but he didn’t have none of it
and it caused yet another argument so no, this is the first time his
gone and I am feeling hopeful.
COUNCILLOR
What do you expect from this counselling process?

AMBER
I just want to be back to how we were in the past, we we’re so close,
did everything together I saw such a bright future for the pair of us.
COUNCILLOR
What’s the problem from your viewpoint, what makes things better?
AMBER
Alcohol normally does it, last night it seemed he loved me, he took me
out to a lovely restaurant in town but I guess he did have one too many.
CAMERA slides to BLAKE’s side only:
BLAKE

8
I’ve just had enough! I’ve just had enough!! Please, just let me get my
head straight for a second! *Anger builds up BLAKE’S voice raises* I
love her, I really do. Maybe if I grew up with a stable family none of
this would’ve happened. I FEEL LIKE A MONSTER. *Slams hands down onto
the table*
(BLAKE bursts into tears, head in his hands, camera fades out into facts
about Domestic Violence)
*Roll Credits*