A Birthday to Die for

Sophie’s version
Docile Productions
INT. HOUSE – DAY

TV is on quietly in the background. Maddie’s parents sing happy birthday to her as she blows out the
candles on the cake.

MUM

I can’t believe our girl is eighteen already. You’re

growing up too fast.

Maddie smiles and laughs faintly at her mum. Dad places a gift in front of Maddie.

DAD

I think you’ll like this one.

Maddie goes to unwrap the gift but gets distracted by the TV. Missing girl news clip plays.

MUM

Probably another kid seeking attention.

MADDIE

That’s quite an insensitive thing to say. She

probably has family that are worried sick, what

if that was me on the screen?

Mum rolls her eyes.

DAD

Can we please have one day with no arguments?

MADDIE

I'm so sick of her shit. Thinking she can talk about

people however she wants.

DAD

You’re overreacting.

Maddie walks out of the lounge and goes to her room.

MUM

Where are you going?

Maddie ignores her mum, slams and locks her door. She puts on a jacket and leaves the house.
EXT. MARINE LAKE – SUNSET

Maddie walks alone until she comes across a group of friends sat on a bench.

KAYLEY

(shouts) Maddie!

Maddie looks over confused.

Come here!

Maddie walks over cautiously. The group greet her with a smile as she’s walking. She sits down.

MADDIE

I’m sorry, do I know you?

KAYLEY

Kayley, year 11 English? We sat next to each other.

You don’t remember?

MADDIE

Uh no, sorry.

KAYLEY

Well anyways, this is Sophie, and this is Tom.

Sophie and Tom greet Maddie. Matching tattoos showing on Kayley, Maddie and Tom.

SOPHIE

What are you doing out on your own anyways?

MADDIE

I just wanted some fresh air and I like my own

company.

SOPHIE

Bullshit.

Maddie gives Sophie a shocked and confused look.

Oh come one, no one actually likes being alone.

What’s the real reason?

 TOM

Stop interrogating the poor girl.

Sophie rolls her eyes.

MADDIE

(Awkwardly) I’m gunna go.

Maddie goes to stand up.

KAYLEY

No wait. It’s getting dark, let us walk you back

to yours.

MADDIE

It’s fine I’m not going home, I’m just gunna

carry on with my walk for a while.

SOPHIE

Let us join you. It’ll be safer.

Maddie hesitates.

MADDIE

(Nods and smiles slightly) Okay.

The group walk together for a while. They’re laughing and all getting along well.

SOPHIE

We’re actually pretty close to mine if you guys

wanna come round for a bit?

TOM

I'm down.

KAYLEY

Yeah sure.

SOPHIE

Maddie?

Maddie glances down at her phone and sees missed calls from parents. She looks annoyed.

MADDIE
 Yeah, just for a bit though

INT. HOUSE-NIGHT

Everyone is hanging out in the kitchen. Sophie pours drinks for everyone.

SOPHIE

(Seriously) You’re not underaged right?

MADDIE

Uh, n-

SOPHIE

(Interrupts) I'm kidding.

MADDIE

It’s my birthday today actually.

KAYLEY

Your 18 th?

Maddie nods.

TOM

Why didn’t you tell us sooner?!

MADDIE

I kind of forgot to be honest. Doesn’t really feel

like my birthday.

TOM

(To Sophie) Do you happen to have a birthday cake

here?

Sophie opens a cupboard.

SOPHIE

Cupcakes?

Scene cuts. Sophie and Kayley bring out cupcakes with candles, place it in front of Maddie and they
all sing happy birthday. Maddie looks embarrassed. Sophie hands Maddie a drink.

KAYLEY

Do you know what song we need?

Kayley puts music on (8TEEN by Khalid). Everyone gets up, singing and dancing to the song. Maddie
looks at her phone to see more missed calls and messages from her parents. She ignores it and
finishes her drink. Song ends, Kayley and Sophie go into the kitchen to pour more drinks. Music plays
in the background.

SOPHIE

(Quietly) Are you sure she’ll do?

Kayley smiles, nods and looks at Sophie approvingly. Kayley pulls something out of her pocket and
pours the powder in Maddie’s drink. They leave the kitchen with the drinks and join the others.
Kayley pauses the music. Kayley hands everyone their drinks.

KAYLEY

Since it’s your birthday, you have to down it all.

Maddie agrees and downs the drink. Sophie, Tom and Kayley all count down from 10 and look at
each other suspiciously while Maddie is drinking.

KAYLEY

Shall we go to the beach?

Everyone says yes excitedly.

EXT. BEACH-NIGHT

The whole group is laying/sitting on a blanket with drinks and snacks and a speaker under the
moonlight.

SOPHIE

So, Mads. Can I call you that?

MADDIE

Maddie’s fine, I'm not really a fan of nicknames.

SOPHIE

Anyways Mads, tell us about yourself, I feel like all

we know is your name, your birthday andddd..

yeah that’s it.

KAYLEY

Speak for yourself, I know a lot about her from school.

SOPHIE
 She doesn’t seem to remember you, seems stalker-ish

to me.

Kayley rolls her eyes.

MADDIE

(To Kayley) Yeah are you sure you’ve got the right person

in mind?

TOM

Oh she’s sure.

Tom, Kayley and Sophie smile to themselves. Maddie looks confused.

MADDIE

Your tattoos, you’ve all got the same one. Do they mean

something?

TOM

Uh no, just an impulsive decision.

SOPHIE

(Seriously)We actually had to get them to show our loyalty

and devotion to this cult we’re in.

Maddie laughs nervously. Tom and Kayley look at Sophie annoyed.

SOPHIE

Christ guys I’m joking. Like Tom said, impulsive decision.

KAYLEY

(To Sophie) Come over here with me a sec.

Kayley and Sophie walk away.

KAYLEY

The fuck are you doing?

SOPHIE

Oh it’s fine. She’ll be out any minute.

TOM

(Shouts) Oi guys, she’s out.

SOPHIE

(To Kayley) Told you.

Kayley and Sophie walk back over to Tom and Maddie. Kayley feels for Maddie’s pulse.

KAYLEY

She’s dead.

SOPHIE

(Annoyed) Boring.

TOM

Strong shit. Makes an easier job for us

Sophie pulls out a knife and draws blood from Maddie’s palm and puts it in a flask. She holds it up to
Kayley and Tom and smiles. Tom messages someone on his phone.

SOPHIE

Souvenir.

KAYLEY

Psycho.

SOPHIE

You killed the bitch.

TOM

He knows. He’s coming here now.

Maddie’s body is left on the blanket as Kayley, Tom and Sophie walk away from the body.
n.