False Perception

by

John Davies

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 2.

EXT. OUTSIDE LOCATION (TBC). DAY

We open the film with a blank screen of emptiness. Then our

production company name appears with the word "presents".
Then, Max's voice is heard. He seems distressed about
something. He speaks in a panicked tone, and his speech is
rushed.

MAX (V.O)

Ive been having these weird thoughts lately...

Like is any of this real or not?

Im losing my own reality, slowly...

The film then cuts to a shot of Max, staring into the

distance. The camera will pan around his face as he does
this.

MAX (V.O)
They don't get it. They never will. I
don't need them. They are nothing.
Nothing.

The scene changes. Max is now running from something, with

the audience unsure from what, or why. Max seems tired and
scared.

MAX (V.O)
They are nothing. She is the one. They
are nothing.

The scene changes. Max stops running. His face is flushed.

Cut to a close up of Max's face. He closes his eyes.

MAX (V.O)
Nothing.

The screen then turns black again, and presents the title of
our film, False Perception.

Then the words "6 months earlier" appear onto the screen.

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 3.

INT. INSIDE THERAPIST OFFICE

MAX and the THERAPIST sit in the therapists office. Max is

staring at the floor.

THERAPIST
How are you feeling now?

Max says nothing.

THERAPIST
Max, are you listening?

MAX
Yes, I'm just still struggling to come
to terms with what I have done.

The therapist looks up.

THERAPIST
What are you talking about? What have
you done?

Shot fades out into Max going into college for his first day.

INT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS.

Max strolls into the classroom. He looks happy and relaxed,

and has a big grin on his face. He makes his way over to his
friends, and sits down with them. Soon after, the classes
teacher walks into the room, and calls for quiet.

TEACHER
Alright people, listen up.

The class settles down, and raises their heads in the

direction of the teacher.

TEACHER
We have a new student who is joining
us today. She's moved here all the way
from London, and has had quite a rough
time recently, so please treat her
with the same respect and curtesy that
you would do for myself. Thank you.

There is an outbreak of quiet whispers about this

announcement.

MAX FRIEND 1
Who do you reckon that is then?

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 4.

MAX
Not a clue mate, but we'll soon see.

TEACHER
Now, for the next hour and a bit,
please continue on your essays. I'll
be around if you need any help with
anything.

The class murmured in understanding, and talk broke out

gradually. Max turned to his computer, and turned it on.

Around half and hour later, ELLA appears by the door of the
classroom for the first time. Max and his mates turn back
from their computers and stare at her. She looks a little
nervous to be surrounded by new and unfamiliar people. The
teacher stands up and walks over to her. The two exchange a
few words, and after a while, she makes her way over to an
empty seat on Max's left. Max doesn't acknowledge her at
first, but then turns to speak.

MAX
Hey, my names Max.

Ella turns to face him. She looks a little shy to talk.

ELLA
Ella.

Max smiles at her. Ella smiles back and turns away, her hair
falling across her face. Max turns away, thinking hard about
what to say.

MAX
Where are you from?

Ella turns back to him, smiling again.

ELLA
I've come down from London.

MAX
Oh sick, I love it there.

ELLA
Yeah, it was nice.

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 5.

The camera will then zoom out; MAX and ELLA talking
animatedly together.

Cut to a compilation of shots of MAX and ELLA together,

walking together, eating out together etc. Their relationship
develops through each shot, as they become closer and closer
throughout.

INT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS.

Open back into the classroom, where ELLA sits down waiting
for MAX to arrive. She sits on her phone. MAX walks into the
room, and grins when he sees ELLA. He sits down next to her.

Cut to a shot of a few classmates watching them. Some look

amused and other baffled with what they are seeing. The
teacher also takes a brief look over to them, and shakes his
head in disbelief.

INT. TEACHERS OFFICE

Max and Ella's teacher is on the phone, talking urgently to

someone.

TEACHER
Ok yeah thats fine.

He paces around the room.

TEACHER
Yes I understand, I'll tell him
tomorrow. Ok. Goodbye.

He puts the phone down, and looks back over his shoulder to
the camera, looking worried.

INT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS.

The next day, the teacher calls for quiet from his class.

TEACHER
Ok guys, today is the hand-in day for
your essays. They need to be in by
5pm. So I expect you all to be working
hard on them throughout the day.

Soon after, the teacher makes his way over to Max. Max looks
up as he approaches.

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 6.

TEACHER
Max, I need you to come with me.

Max looks puzzled.

MAX
Why's that?

TEACHER
Just come with me. All will be
explained when we get there.

Still looking thoroughly confused, Max gets up, and follows

the teacher out the room.

INT. OUTSIDE THE THERAPISTS OFFICE

The teacher stops Max outside a room that Max is very

unfamiliar with, but recognizes as the college welfare
office. Max's confusion intensifies. He does not understand
why he is there. The teacher knocks on the door, and enters
the room.

INT. INSIDE THERAPIST OFFICE

Max and the teacher walk inside the room. A woman sits inside
waiting for them. The teacher exchanges words with her,
before leaving the room. Max glances at him as he leaves. The
woman turns to Max.

THERAPIST
Sit down Max.

Max sits, still very baffled as to why he is there.

THERAPIST
My name is (tbc) and I am the welfare
officer here at the college. Now, I'm
sure you're wondering why you are
here.

Max nodded.

THERAPIST
Your teacher has spoken to me about
some concerns that he has developed in
the last few weeks.

MAX
I really don't understand what those
might be.

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 7.

The therapist paused for a moment, sighed, then continued.

THERAPIST
This may come as a bit of a shock to
you, but from what the teacher has
seen in the last few weeks, we think
that you may have some kind of
psychosis.

MAX
What are you talking about?

THERAPIST
We've monitored your behavior, and
many have expressed their worry about
how you are acting in class.

Max gapes at her as she speaks. The camera will gradually

zoom forward to Max's face, as he reacts to the therapists
words. Max will eventually storm out of the room, unable to
hear any more of what he believes are lies about him

INT. WESTON TOWN LOCATION (TBC)

Max and Ella sit together outside, discussing Max's meeting

with the therapist.

MAX
I just had walk out of it, it was all
utter shit. She said that I have
become weird to be around, because of
me talking to myself for weeks on end.
Can you believe it?

Ella strokes his arm softly.

ELLA
I have no idea what she is talking
about either.

MAX
I just don't feel myself at the
moment, and with the college saying
this about me, its getting to me I...

Before he can finish his sentence, Ella turns him towards

her.

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 8.

ELLA
This is a problem Max.

Max looks intently at her.

Ella nods.

MAX
What do you mean?

Ella took his hand in hers, and stared right at Max.

ELLA
I've seen it all before in London.
People can be very manipulative. I
suspect this is what happened to you
today. Apart from me, you can't trust
anybody Max. Nobody.

Max sighs and looks away, a strange look on his face.

EXT. OUTSIDE LOCATION

MAX walks down the pathway on his own, thinking hard about
what he has heard in the last few days. He stops and looks
out into the night. He closes his eyes.

INT. INSIDE THERAPIST OFFICE

Cut to a flashback of the therapists room. The therapist

stares at Max.

THERAPIST
Max, can you hear me?

Max stares into space, not listening to a word she says.

THERAPIST
Max!

EXT. OUTSIDE LOCATION

Cut back to present day, where Max opens his eyes again,
takes a deep breath, and walks off.

INT. MAX'S HOUSE

MAX sits alone in his bedroom, his phone in hand. Ella's name
is on the screen. He pauses, looking at the screen. He
eventually presses call, and holds the phone to his ear.

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 9.

ELLA
Max, this is kind of a bad time right
now.

MAX
Oh, ok, don't worry about it then.

ELLA
Call me another time, and I promise
I'll be there for you.

Max pauses for a moment.

MAX
Ok, I'll call you again soon.

ELLA
Bye Max.

Ella hangs up the phone. Max puts the phone down on his bed.
He closes his eyes again. After a few moments, he lashes out
onto his bed, punching it angrily. He gets up and rests his
head onto his bedroom door. The camera will pan into his
face, as he pants slowly.

INT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS.

MAX walks quietly in college. He comes to a stop in the

classroom door. He scans the classroom for Ella, but finds
she is not there. He looks at where she usually sits, with a
frustrated look on his face.

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 10.

INT. MAX'S HOUSE

Max sits on the end of his bed, on the phone to Ella. The
stress that he has been going through over the past few
months has clearly taken its toll onto Max, as he looks
fearful and extremely anxious.

ELLA
Max. Listen to me.

MAX
I'm listening.

ELLA
The people around you clearly aren't
doing anything for you. Look at your
friends. They are bringing you down
Max. Can't you see it? I am the only
one that can help you.

Max's face contorts.

MAX
I'm trying very hard Ella, but it's
proven impossible. Every day is a
complete struggle now. Every fucking
person in this shit world is out to
get me. And not just me, there after
you too, have you seen the way they
look at you each day. We can't stop
them. We are powerless against them.

Max's face becomes crazier throughout these words. Despite

Max's outburst, Ella's voice is still very calm.

ELLA
Then forget about these people. You
know they are nothing. You've just
said it, right? Trust me Max. Listen
to me, learn from me. We will beat
them all. I promise.

Max closes his eyes, and takes a few deep breaths.

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 11.

EXT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS GROUNDS

Max walks along the college grounds, with his hood up,
staring around him. He suddenly here's voices behind him, and
turns around. Two guys stand, grins on their faces.

GUY #1
Hey Max! Tell me, hows your
girlfriend?

GUY #2
Yeah, you seem to love her very much
when we see you two together!

Max angrily brandishes towards the two lads. Right before he

can get there however, Ella intercepts him.

ELLA
Max, Max. Look at me. It ain't worth
it. Those two are just useless pricks.
Leave it.

MAX
These two are prime examples of what I
was talking about Ella! People are out
for us!

The two lads laugh loudly, and point at the two of them. Max
tries to start on them again, but Ella grabs his shoulders.

ELLA
It's not worth it. Nobody like them
is.

Max takes a long look at the two guys, then shrugs Ella off,
and walks away. Once Max's back is turned, Ella grins.

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 12.

INT. MAX'S HOUSE

MAX lies on his bed. His phone rings. Ella's name appears on
the screen. He answers.

ELLA
Max, how are you?

MAX
I feel, empty.

ELLA
What do you mean, empty?

Max pauses for a moment.

ELLA
Max, are you still there?

MAX
I'm here.

ELLA
Tell me how you feel. Tell me whats in
your mind right now. I must now what
you feel.

MAX
It's empty. My mind is a ball of
nothing.

Max begins to stutter.

MAX
(stuttering)

I don't think I can do this anymore.

The world clearly doesn't want me in
it. I'm sorry I caused you all this
pain, but you are better off without
me.

ELLA
Max... Don't do anything stupid!

MAX
(cutting Ella off)

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 13.

I love you Ella, I always will. I want

you to know that, before...

Max is silent.

ELLA
Max? Max? MAX!!

The phone hangs up.

The screen turns to black. There is no sound/sight available

to the audience.

INT. INSIDE THERAPIST OFFICE

The film opens back up to the therapist's office. The

therapist looks at Max. Max stares at the floor.

THERAPIST
Max? Can you hear me?

Max finally looks up, his eyes meeting the therapist's.

MAX
Yes, I can hear you.

THERAPIST
Tell me Max, what have you done?

Max's head drops again.

MAX
I let her fall away from me. I, I
don't know where she is anymore.

THERAPIST
Who Max? Who is she?

MAX
Ella. The girl from my class. She has
treated me amazingly, and I let her
go. I don't know what is wrong with
me.

Max looks up again.

MAX
(forcefully)

What is wrong with me?

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 14.

The therapist looks a little taken aback, but steadies

herself.

THERAPIST
Max. Prepare yourself more a little
shock. There is no-one in your class
called Ella. There never has been. She
does not exist. It seems she is a
figment of your mind.

Max does not react to what she has said. He does not move.
His face gradually begins to fall, realisation spreading upon
his face.

INT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS.

We flashback over to the start of the story. Back in the

classroom, the day Ella arrived to Max's life.

Everyone in the class talks happily, working on their

computers. At that point, nobody is talking to Max. Max
however is staring at the the teacher. His mates look at him.

MAX FRIEND 1
What are you looking at mate?

Max does not respond to his enquiry. He turns to them after a

few seconds.

MAX
No idea mate, but we'll soon see.

MAX FRIEND 2
See what?

Max ignores them, instead turning to his computer, and begins

to type. His friends exchange looks with each other.

The flashback progresses on to the scene where Max first

talks to Ella. Except that when he goes over to her, there is
nobody there. There is only an empty chair.

MAX
Hey, my name's Max.

The chair obviously does not respond to him. His friends look
over to see what he is doing, and see him talking to the

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 15.

chair. They grin to each other incredulously.

MAX FRIEND 1
What the hell is he doing?

Max's other mate shrugs, with a big grin on his face.

EXT. OUTSIDE LOCATION

Move forward to the first outing between MAX and ELLA. In

reality, Max walks alone, hand outstretched to the air, with
no hand to hold.

Cut to Max sat down, talking to the bench that they sit on.

INT. MAX'S HOUSE

Cut to MAX in his room. He paces around slowly. His phone is

not even turned on.He lifts the phone to his ear.

MAX
Ella.

EXT. WESTON COLLEGE LOXTON CAMPUS GROUNDS

The film progresses to the altercation between MAX and the

TWO GUYS.

GUY 1
Hey Max? Tell me, hows your
girlfriend?

GUY #2
Yeah, you seem to love her very much
when we see you two together!

Max looks around at the two guys. They stand grinning

maliciously at him. He starts toward them angrily. All of a
sudden, Max pulls himself back. He tries to move forward, but
there is something preventing him from moving.

INT. MAX'S HOUSE

Max sits on his bed, on the phone to himself.

MAX
I love you Ella, I always will. I want
you to know that, before...

He puts the phone down. Black screen again.

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 16.

The film concludes with a final voice-over from Max. The

screen remains black.

MAX (V.O)
They don't get it. They never will. I
don't need them. They are nothing.
Nothing.

End Credits.

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 17.

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