This screenplay is under full copyright of Ashlee May. All rights reserved.
UNATTAINABLE
Written by
Ashlee May
15th May 2020
Draft #1
©copyright 2020-2025
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Page One
EXT. A PARK – NIGHT
A close up of police tape being applied is shown and siren sounds are faintly heard. A torch light flashes past and we now have a more zoomed out perspective. Police cars are surrounding the area, and the cops are scattered across the premises, all dressed in uniform. Onlookers are being told to clear the area.
The busiest part of the park: Police are surrounding a bench so it cannot be seen, until one moves. A limp arm can now be seen hanging off the bench. There is no noticeable damage to the arm itself; it looks completely normal with the exception of being limp. The police are discussing and confirming what they already know about the incident so far.
POLICE OFFICER #1 arrives on the scene and swiftly approaches POLICE OFFICER #2. POLICE OFFICER #1 is a tall man, medium build, with dark hair. POLICE OFFICER #2 is shorter and with a larger build.
POLICE OFFICER #1
What do we know so far?
POLICE OFFICER #2
Twenty-five-year-old male, suspected poison. Call was made at 11:06 pm. Forensics are on their way to look for any DNA left at the scene.
POLICE OFFICER #1
[frustrated]
That’s the sixth poisoning we’ve had this month, and it’s only the 14th.
The other officers, after overhearing the conversation, give each other very subtle looks of concern. Another officer (POLICE OFFICER #3) is moving quickly towards the group. He is fitter and younger looking than POLICE OFFICER #2 but noticeably less fit than POLICE OFFICER #1.
POLICE OFFICER #3
[addressing all the officers at the scene, buzzing with adrenalin]
The owner of Toffs said he saw the victim leave at around 10pm with a potential suspect.
POLICE OFFICER #2
[surprised to hear more information so soon]
And? What do we know about the suspect now?
POLICE OFFICER #3
The owner said she stayed hidden in the back, so he didn’t get a look at her face. He did say that she was blonde and five foot three, petite build.
POLICE OFFICER #2
[disappointed]
That’s not very helpful.
CUT TO:
INT. A café in the same area – a week later, midday.
Two young men, JAMES AND WILLIAM, can be seen sitting at a table by the window. WILLIAM looks to be in his early twenties with curly, dark brown hair and blue eyes. His build is slim and scrawny. JAMES looks to be a similar age to WILLIAM, but he has shaggy blonde hair and green eyes. He is of medium build. The table is covered in comics and WILLIAM is reading one of them, with his head almost buried in it. JAMES looks bored and is clearly not interested in the comics.
JAMES
Did you watch the news this morning?
WILLIAM doesn’t answer. He is focused on the comic he is reading and hasn’t heard.
[louder]
Someone else has been poisoned…men are dropping like flies out there [nervous laughter]
WILLIAM puts down the comic with a sigh.
WILLIAM
[offended]
If you’re going to make a joke out of it then you could at least go for a less dehumanising metaphor.
JAMES
Sorry…you just hadn’t spoken for a while. It’s difficult to get any conversation out of you when you’re reading these.
JAMES picks up a comic and waves it around. He then starts to flip through the pages. WILLIAM retaliates by snatching the comic away from him and placing it back on the table.
You do know this isn’t real right? You’re not getting anything out of it.
WILLIAM
You don’t get anything out of going to clubs looking for girls, but you still do it.
There’s silence between them for a moment before they erupt into hysterical laughter.
JAMES
[still laughing]
Nice.
Their laughter eventually dies down.
Seriously though, at least I try to get girls. Have you ever talked to a girl before?
WILLIAM
[nervously]
Of course I have.
JAMES
Other than your mum and your sister?
There’s an awkward silence between the two for about 10 seconds.
WILLIAM
…No.
James snickers before looking around the café. He turns to the back corner of the café. A woman is sitting there, alone, with a book in her hands. She has light brown hair, hazel eyes and her complexion is pale.
JAMES
Go and talk to her.
WILLIAM turns to look in the same direction as JAMES. He shakes his head a little, eyes going slightly wide.
WILLIAM
[nervous]
Why?
JAMES
[teasingly]
Aww, are you scared?
WILLIAM
[assertively]
No!
JAMES
[smirking]
Go on then.
WILLIAM
[with fake confidence]
Alright then, I will!
WILLIAM trembles slightly as he stands and clumsily makes his way over to the back corner. JAMES can still be seen laughing as the camera looks over WILLIAM’s shoulder. The woman places her book down on the table and gives WILLIAM a questioning look.
WILLIAM
[stuttering]
H-Hi…
[clears throat]
So, how’s the book?
JAMES can be heard laughing again, to which WILLIAM cringes. The woman doesn’t seem to take notice of this though. Her hand moves to rest under her chin with her elbow on the table to support it.
UNKNOWN WOMAN
It’s great…thanks for asking. I’m Jane by the way.
WILLIAM
Jane? That’s a great name.
JANE
Thanks. Mind if I ask who you are?
WILLIAM
[nervously]
William, my name is William. Will is fine though. You know, if you prefer something more casual…
JANE
Alright [with enthesis] Will.
WILLIAM
[awkwardly]
So, err, Jane would it be alright if I asked for…you know…
JANE
My number? How about a date tonight instead?
WILLIAM
[surprised]
A date? A date! Sounds great, yeah, I’ll pick you up at 7:30?
JANE rummages through her handbag for a while, pulling out various lip balms and tissues before finding what she was looking for – a small notepad. She writes something in it before tearing out the page, gathering up her lip balms and tissues, and standing. She hands the note to WILLIAM.
JANE
Sounds like a plan. My address is on there.
JANE kisses WILLIAM on the cheek before leaving the café. WILLIAM is quite shocked. He takes a few seconds to process what has happened before he smugly walks back to JAMES and sits down in his chair, picking up a comic and beginning to read it.
JAMES
[impressed]
Wow.
WILLIAM
[smugly]
Wow indeed.
CUT TO:
EXT. JANE’S DRIVEWAY – evening
WILLIAM arrives outside JANE’s house and the time on the dashboard reads 7:29pm. He is wearing a dark grey suit and his hair is combed back. He gets out of the car and heads to the front door. He then rings the doorbell and JANE opens the door. She is wearing a short black dress; her hair is tied back in a high ponytail and her makeup is heavier than it was at the café.
WILLIAM
You look great, Jane.
JANE
[jokingly]
Thanks, you don’t look too bad either.
They both head to WILLIAM’s car and WILLIAM opens the passenger door for JANE.
JANE
[teasingly]
Such a gentleman.
WILLIAM chuckles at this as JANE gets in the car. He then shuts the door and heads to the driver’s side before getting in. They both put on their seatbelts.
Where are we going?
WILLIAM
[dramatically]
Wherever the road takes us!
JANE laughs at this. They then drive off.
CUT TO:
INT. Restaurant – evening
WILLIAM and JANE are sat at a small table, on opposite sides. A waiter approaches the table with their orders and places the plates down in front of them. WILLIAM has ordered a lasagne with garlic bread. JANE has ordered a mushroom ravioli, to which WILLIAM turns his nose up at. They both begin eating though, and they both seem happy with what they’ve ordered. WILLIAM pauses about halfway through his meal.
WILLIAM
Do you mind if I err…?
He nervously points to the bathroom. JANE doesn’t seem bothered.
JANE
Sure. I don’t mind.
WILLIAM leaves to go to the bathroom. While he’s gone, JANE quickly pours an unknown substance onto his garlic bread.
CUT TO:
EXT. A park in the neighbouring city – night
WILLIAM and JANE are sitting on a bench in the centre of the park. There are a few other people around.
JANE
Dinner was great, wasn’t it?
WILLIAM
[uncomfortable]
Yeah…
JANE
[concerned]
Are you okay?
WILLIAM
Yeah, sorry, it’s just…I’m not feeling well.
JANE
[disheartened]
We should probably call it a night then. It’s a shame actually…I was having fun.
WILLIAM doesn’t answer. He’s holding his stomach in discomfort.
I don’t go out on dates often now actually. The news scares me a little.
WILLIAM
Well, neither of us have anything to worry about, right? The news said the police are suspecting a blonde woman. You’re not blonde and I’m not a woman.
JANE
I know. It’s still scary though isn’t it. For all we know, she could be wearing a wig every time she goes out and they’ll never know her natural hair colour.
WILLIAM
I guess.
JANE
I bet they don’t know that she’s a lesbian either.
WILLIAM
[confused]
What?
JANE
A lesbian. A lesbian who’s tired of being hit on by men. All they want from her is her body anyway. There’s no love between a man and a woman. It’s all fake.
WILLIAM
What? That’s not true!
[quietly]
I didn’t approach you in the café because I wanted your body, Jane. You’re so much more than that.
JANE
You really think I’m going to listen to any of your nonsense? Save your breath… although [pause] it’s not like you’ll be needing it.
WILLIAM’s expression changes to one of horror and realisation. He then falls off the bench, still holding his stomach. He looks very unwell. As he falls, Jane’s attitude changes. She begins yelling to the public for help.
WILLIAM
[almost inaudible]
You? You’re the…
WILLIAM stops moving. A member of the public tries to perform CPR and an ambulance is called. Jane is faking any distress or panic she shows.
CUT TO:
INT. the café – the next day
JAMES is reading one of WILLIAM’s comics. His hands are noticeably shaky as he turns the pages of the magazine. A news broadcast can be heard playing on the tv in the background. The news reporter has a stoic expression and is dressed in a dark suit.
NEWS REPORTER
Another poisoning took place last night in Chesterham Park. The victim was just 21 years old…
The news is drowned out slowly. JAMES takes a sharp swig of his coffee and then stands. He places the comic in his backpack, being careful not to bend it, before zipping it up and placing one of the straps on his shoulder. JAMES then leaves the café swiftly.
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