Lamb to the Slaughter 

15 Minute Radio Drama 

by 
Louis Bimpson and Oliver Horsfield

Draft 1
SCENE 1: INT. JANE’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. MORNING 

Jane is lay in bed 

Fade in - Patrick walking up the stairs.

1. JANE: Breakfast in bed, it must be my lucky day. What’s up with you today?

2. PATRICK: I’m just treating the women that I love and the women that I am starting a
family with. How are you feeling this morning?

3.JANE: I was up in the night but only a few times. I can’t believe in less than a month
we should have a child together. The last 8 months have flown by and we still
haven’t found a name.
4.PATRICK: I love the name James if he is a boy or Jenny is she is a girl.

5.JANE: (OVER) I was thinking the same for a girl but not James for a boy. My cousin is
called that and he is always rude.

6.PATRICK: (CONT’D) Well let’s hope that she is a girl then but until then I will keep on
thinking of different names. That’s what I normally do when I’m at work anyways
because there isn’t much crime in Warrington at the moment.

7.JANE: Officer Maloney I hope you’re not skiving at work, what would your boss say
about that?

8.PATRICK: (LAUGHS) I would never do such a thing. Talking about work, I need to get
ready now.

SFX: Foot steps

SFX: Door slamming

SCENE 2: INT. JANE’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. MORNING

Jane is downstairs making a cup of tea whilst Patrick is getting ready for work.

1.JANE: Patrick I’ve made you a cup of tea, do you want me to put it in a flask?

2.PATRICK: (OFF) Yes please! I’ll be down in a minute.

3.JANE: It takes him longer to get ready than it takes me. What is he doing up there?

SFX: Dialling of phone

SFX: Voicemail

4.PATRICK: Why can’t she leave me alone.

SFX: Foot steps

5.PATRICK: Sorry about that love, I couldn’t find my belt. i should be back later on but I still
don’t know what time because a lot of paperwork has been catching up on me
lately.

6.JANE: No worries. I will make your tea and I will leave it for when you get home but
don’t be too late please, you do too many night shifts.

7.PATRICK: Thanks. I will try to not be late but you never know what will happen. There
could be a tragic event that will take place.

8.JANE: Don’t say that Patrick. Just make sure that you stay safe.

9. PATRICK: I will do. Goodbye love.

10.JANE: Goodbye. Don’t forget your tea.

SFX: Door slamming

Fade out to silence.

SCENE 3: INT. PATRICK’S CAR. WARRINGTON. LATE AFTERNOON.

Patrick is driving on his way home from work.

SFX- fade in of the sound of a car running.

1.PATRICK: (V.O.) How have I got myself into this position, I’m meant to be a police
officer who is a good man but not anymore. My whole reputation will be
ruined after this.

SFX: Phone rings

2.JANE: (DISTORT) Hello Patrick.

3.PATRICK: Hi, What’s up? I’m just working at the moment.

4.JANE: Oh, sorry I thought I would just check up on you. See what time you were
home?

5.PATRICK: I should be home later. I still have a lot of work to do.

6.JANE: Okay. See you then.

SFX: End of Phone call

SCENE 4: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. LATE AFTERNOON

Mary is at home waiting for Patrick to return from work.

FADE IN – heavy breathing.

1.MARY: (V.O) No one should be working for this long, he has been away for over
24 hours and he isn’t picking up his phone. This isn’t the first time this
has happened over the last couple of months either. I am going to ring
him for the last time.

SFX: Phone ringing

SFX: Voicemail.

2.MARY: (V.O) Not again. He is normally always on his phone texting to someone
but when I ring him he doesn’t answer. What is he up to?

Fade out to silence.

SCENE 5: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME

FADE IN – door opening

Patrick has returned home.

1.PATRICK: Hello. Mary are you home?

SFX: Foot steps

2.MARY: (BREATHLESS) Patrick! I’ve been worried sick about you. You haven’t
answered a single phone call of mine and you’ve been gone for a lot longer
than expected.

3.PATRICK: Sorry, I’ve lost my charger and my phone died when I was at work. You
shouldn’t be stressing it could affect the baby.

4.MARY: Don’t worry the baby is fine but what about me? You have left your wife all
alone for over a day without getting in touch but you only ask how the baby is!

5.PATRICK: I’ve said I’m sorry it won’t happen again. Work is busy at the moment and I want
the money so I can support our baby.

6.MARY: Yes, I’m grateful but just next time buy a charger or use somebody else’s phone
to ring me.

7.PATRICK: I will do. It’s been a long day, I’m going to get a shower and then I’ll come back
downstairs.

8.MARY: Okay. I’ll start making your tea now.

SFX: footsteps.

Fade out to silence.

SCENE 6: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME

Mary is cooking tea.

FADE IN: Chopping up food.

1.MARY: (V.O) Not once does he speak about how I’m feeling. All he cares about is
our baby, I feel like I’m his surrogate parent not his wife. Why do I even try
with him? He obviously doesn’t care.

SFX: Opening of draw

2.MARY: (V.O) I’m too good to him. He is ignoring me for a full day and now I’m
making him this lovely piece of Lamb. He needs to open his eyes and
realise how much I do for him!
SCENE 7: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME.

Patrick returns downstairs.

FADE IN: Foot steps

1.PATRICK: Something smells good. What’s for tea?

2.MARY: Lamb your favourite. Its still frozen but it will be sorted in no time.

3.PATRICK: No worries, I will watch some TV whilst I’m waiting.

4.MARY: Before you do that, could I ask where have you been all night?

5.PATRICK Not again! I’ve told you I’ve been at work. Do you not believe me?

6.MARY: I didn’t say that but its hard to believe because you always text me when your
working and your never off your phone.

7.PATRICK: My charger broke, I can’t say this over and over again. I’m going watching TV
now.
SCENE 8: INT MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME.

Patrick is watching TV.

FADE IN: TV on in background.

1.PATRICK: (V.O) I think it’s time I told her. Living a lie is now catching up on me and I
can see its affecting Mary.

SFX: Phone rings.

2.PATRICK: (DISTORT) Hello Jane.

3.JANE: Hi Patrick. Are you coming back here tonight?

4.PATRICK: Yes, I should be later on. But before that I am going to tell Mary about us.

5.JANE: Great! It's about time we need to get on with our own life and stop sneaking
about.

6.MARY: (OFF) Patrick are you on the phone again?

7.PATRICK: I’ll be there in two minutes. It’s just work.

8.JANE: How has she been with you tonight?

9.PATRICK: She is asking a lot of questions and it's about time she realises what’s
happening so it’s better if I tell her now.

10. JANE: Okay but as soon as you do that come straight round to my house.
SCENE 9: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME.

Mary is cooking tea.

1.MARY: (V.O) Why is he always on the phone at this time. Work would not
consistently ring him every night at the same time. I need to get to the
bottom of this.

SFX: Footsteps.
SCENE 10: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. EVENING

Mary is in the kitchen

Fade in – Mary making a cup of tea in the kitchen

SFX: The sound of water hitting a surface

1. MARY: Ouch! That Kettle always leaks on me. This would’ve been
fixed by now if Patrick wasn’t always on the phone! Patrick,
can you come here and help me!

2. PATRICK: (DISTANT) Just a second Mary, I’m

on the phone to my boss. I’ll come
through in a second! So, as I was
saying, we need to tell you know who.

3. JANE: (DISTORT) It’s been going on for too long, you need to tell her
tonight. This is the best thing for us and the baby. This is the
first step towards us having our own family. It’s meant to be!

SFX: The sound of footsteps

4. PATRICK: (DISTANT) You’re right. Tonight is the night. I love you Jane!

SFX: The sound of a door being slammed open

Mary enters the same room as Patrick

5. MARY: (SHOUTING) Who the hell is Jane! I knew something wasn’t

right! I think you have some explaining to do Patrick! How
could you do this to me, what about the baby?!

6. PATRICK: (STUTTERING) Mary! It’s not how it seems, I can explain!

SFX: The sound of a glass getting smashed

Mary throws a glass in anger 

1. MARY: (SHOUTING) You are so arrogant and selfish, I’m not

surprised in the slightest that you’ve done this to me!

2. PATRICK: Stop making assumptions Mary, I’ve not explained anything

yet. It’s not you, it’s me. I want to be a part of our baby’s life no
matter what happens between us. 

SFX: The sound of heavy breathing

Mary has a mild panic attack 

3. Patrick: Mary, are you okay?

SFX: The sound of heavy footsteps 

Patrick runs to get Mary a chair

SFX: The sound of a chair being dragged across the floor 

Patrick pulls a chair out for Mary to sit down 

4. PATRICK: Sit down Mary, you look very lightheaded. 

SFX: The sound of heavy breathing and crying

5. MARY: Just get it over and done with Patrick! Tell me the
truth, don’t lie to me. That’s the least I deserve.
SCENE 11: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. EVENING

SFX: The sound of a deep breath

Patrick composes himself before explaining to Mary

1. PATRICK: I promise you that everything that I’m about to tell you will be
the truth, I’m mentally drained from the constant lies in our
relationship.

2. MARY: (SIGHS) Stop with the small talk and get to the point!

3. PATRICK: I love you Mary. However, I love someone else too.

4. MARY: I knew that you we’re up to something. So, does this mean
that all the times that you said you we’re doing overtime was a
complete lie and that you were with another woman. You
make me sick.

5. PATRICK: It gets worse. She’s pregnant.

6. MARY: (SIGHS) How selfish could one person possibly be? You do
realise that our child is already at a disadvantage.

7. PATRICK: Why’s that Mary?

8. MARY: (LAUGHS) Hmmm I wonder why. Maybe because they aren’t

going to have a father figure in their life. I don’t know what I
ever saw in you in the first place. You couldn’t even do the
mature thing and tell me. You’re a coward!

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Patrick walks into the kitchen

1. PATRICK: I have to be a part of our child’s life Mary. I know I’m in the
wrong, but our child needs me just as much as you.

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Mary follows Patrick into the kitchen

2. MARY: Patrick. Stop. I know what you’re trying to do. I can read you
like a book. You can’t cheat on me and get another girl
pregnant and then be nice to me. It doesn’t work like that.

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Patrick slowly walks over to Mary

3. MARY: (V.O.) I want the floor to swallow me up. Get away from
me Patrick, I mean it. You’re scaring me, please don’t
come near me. He’s about to do something horrible. Mary,
don’t do anything stupid, be calm. I know exactly what
he’s trying to do. Quick, Mary, think of something. He’s
evil, I have to get him out of my life. I’m going to hit him
with that leg of Lamb on the side. I have no choice.

4. MARY: What are you doing? Don't even think about taking one step
closer.

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Patrick proceeds to get closer

 1. PATRICK: Mary, everyone loves me. I’m a successful police officer that
saves lives every day. People look up to me. I know you don’t
mean what you’re saying.

2. MARY: I mean it Patrick, don’t take one step closer!

Mary leans over to pick up a frozen leg of Lamb on the side

SFX: The sound of footsteps

3. PATRICK: Come on Mary. We can make this work.

4. MARY: I told you not to take another step closer.

Mary picks up the frozen meat and smacks Patrick on the head

Music:
SCENE 12: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. EVENING

Fade in – Mary staring at Patrick lying on the floor

SFX: The sound of something heavy hitting the floor

Mary drops the leg of Lamb on the floor

SFX: The sound of heavy breathing

Mary starts to panic and guilt starts to show

1. MARY: Patrick. Patrick. Patrick!

2. MARY: (V.O.) Mary, what have you just done. I’m so stupid. I
Didn’t mean it. I think he’s dead.

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Mary walks over to Patrick lying on the floor

3. MARY: He’s not breathing. There’s so much blood!

SFX: The sound of heavy breathing

4. MARY: I can’t go to prison. I have a child on the way. Right, I’m

going to go to the shop, come back home and pretend
that someone has killed him when I was at the shop. I’ll
ring the police when I get home. Going to the shop will
be the perfect Alibi. You’ve got this Mary.
SCENE 13: INT. CORNER SHOP, WARRINGTON. EVENING

SFX: The sound of a shop bell

1. SHOPKEEPER: Hello.

Mary doesn’t respond

2. MARY: What wine do you have?

3. SHOPKEEPER: I’ve got red and white wine.

4. MARY: I’ll have a bottle of white.

5. SHOPKEEPER: I’ve got a lot to choose from.

6. MARY: (SIGHS) I don’t care which one, any will do.

7. SHOPKEEPER: OK. Are you alright? You seem a bit stressed?

8. MARY: Yeah, you’re right. I have had a stressful day. Can you
make sure that you remember me coming into the shop?

9. SHOPKEEPER: Okay, enjoy the wine.

10. MARY: Thank you, bye.

SFX: The sound of a shop bell

Mary leaving the shop

SCENE 14: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. EVENING

Fade in – Mary pouring a glass of wine

SFX: The sound of a phone number being dialled

1. MARY: My husband is on the floor! There is blood

everywhere and he isn’t breathing. I need help!

Fade out – silence

SCENE 15: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. EVENING

Fade in – Police Sirens

1. JUSTIN: How did this happen Mary?

2. MARY: Honestly, I’m just as confused as you are.

3. JUSTIN: I’m going to need you to tell me what happened. Do you

realise how serious this is. Your husband is dead on
the floor.

SFX: The sound of footsteps

Other police officers searching the house for clues

4. MARY: I went for a walk. Actually, I went to the shop.

5. JUSTIN: Are you sure Mary?

6. MARY: Yes, I’m sure. I went to the shop to get some wine for
dinner. I came home and found him lying on the floor.

7. JUSTIN: Okay. We’re going to have to look around your house

and move the body. Is that alright?

8. MARY: Yeah, that’s fine by me. I’m was going to cook a meal for
Patrick and myself. It would be a shame for it to go to
waste. Would you lads like to stay for dinner?

9. JUSTIN: Sure, why not. Is that Lamb you’re cooking.

10. MARY: Yes, I picked it up from the butchers the other day. I
Better start cracking on with it.
Fade out - Silence

SCENE 16: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME

MUSIC:

1. MARY: (V.O.) I can’t believe that I’m about to feed them the
murder weapon. It’s the only way I’ll get out of this.

SFX: The sound of an oven door shutting

Mary puts the lamb in the oven

Fade out – Silence

 
 SCENE 17: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME

Fade in – Mary pouring a glass of wine

1. JUSTIN: Right then. We’ve not found anything suspicious in your

house. You’ve got no criminal history which has made
our decision is a lot easier. This won’t be the last
you’ll hear of this as we’re dealing with a murder.

2. MARY: I’m in shock right now. I just can’t think who’d do

such a thing. Did you work with Patrick? He was a
police officer.

3. JUSTIN: Patrick was a good friend of ours and he was an

even better police officer. He’s going to be a huge
loss to our team.

4. MARY: He was meant to be the father of my baby. I’m

pregnant you see.

5. JUSTIN: I’m sorry to hear that Mary.

6. MARY: Thank you. I just hope that you catch the murderer.

7. JUSTIN: We will, it’s what we’re good at.

Fade out – Silence

SCENE 18: INT. MARY’S HOUSE, WARRINGTON. NIGHT TIME

Fade in – The sound of cutlery rustling together

1. JUSTIN: This looks so good Mary. Where did you learn to cook?

2. MARY: I’m a housewife, it’s what I do.

SFX: The sound of plates and cutlery tapping together

3. PATRICK: The Lamb has been cooked to perfection Mary. I might

have to get some lessons off you.

4. MARY: The Lamb is my favourite part too.

Music: