Asylum Page #5

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT - BETLEMSKA STREET - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Building site down the street from the squat space is active and

rubbish is being burnt in a large oil drum out front. Site has wood

and mesh fencing. Doug comes out of passage way to meet Chris who has

been waiting.

ON DOUG:

DOUG:

Have you been waiting long?

ANGLE Chris coming over to Doug.

ON DOUG/CHRIS

CHRIS:

Ten minutes.

DOUG:

Sorry, I couldn't resist going exploring.

Doug ushers Chris through the passage into courtyard.

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NOTE:
The performance space will hereafter be known as the ASYLUM.

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EXT - ASYLUM COURTYARD - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Show rear of Asylum and building degradation together with overlooking

apartments, obviously occupied. Doug and Chris climb rear entrance

stairs and climb in through the window, Doug first and Chris

struggles.

INT - ASYLUM - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Reveal extent of loose debris and the size of the space. There is a

large skylight in the auditorium, but it's very dirty. Minimal

daylight.

ON CHRIS:

CHRIS:

Some puppet theatre. Jesus, look at

all this crap.

Chris kicks a piece of debris off over the balcony. He moves towards

the edge of the formed concrete balcony to look down. Sounds echo.

ANGLE DOUG:

DOUG:

Watch out.

ON CHRIS:

CHRIS:

I don't know man, this place is

just a hole in the ground.

ON DOUG/CHRIS

DOUG:

No, there's something special about this

place. It's as though it's living,

disintegrating - You could almost chart

the history of the country by this wall alone.

Doug runs his hand along brickwork, the face of which crumbles.

CHRIS:

Suppose the roof's like that too.

ANGLE skylight and weatherproof roof.

DOUG:

No, that's what's been holding it together

all these years, just like mother Russia.

ON DOUG/CHRIS

CHRIS:

Sure. What are we going to do with this

place Doug? It's due for demolition,

that's why they gave up on it.

DOUG:

Believe me, Chris. I've got a good

feeling about this place, come on.

Doug leads Chris down one of the side corridors

INT - ASYLUM FOYER - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Doug and Chris enter into foyer area, Chris tries a light switch.

DOUG:

That's our first job.

Doug and Chris go down into towards auditorium, over the exposed sewer

pipe which is glistening with liquid at one side.

CHRIS:

That stinks!

DOUG:

Yeah, that could be job number two.

I think it's a sewer.

Chris wipes his hands on his pants.

CHRIS:

Cool, real cool!

INT - ASYLUM - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Chris joins Doug in the centre of the auditorium and they survey the

area. The balcony runs on three sides. Reveal building materials

lying on the earth and a few dangling light fittings.

ON CHRIS:

CHRIS:

Hey look, an old pay-phone. I wonder

if it's got any money in it?

Chris kicks it but it barely moves. ANGLE Doug coming over to Chris.

ON DOUG/CHRIS

DOUG:

Never mind now - First, I'll find the

switchboard and see if I can get the power on.

CHRIS:

You know something about those things?

DOUG:

No, but like my dad said, "There's only

so many ways you can wire a plug".

CHRIS:

He was an electrician?

DOUG:

No, he was talking about girls, I think.

CHRIS:

That makes you an expert I guess.

DOUG:

Too right....Now the other thing we've

got to do is start clearing up the rubble.

Can you make a start on that?

Chris looks down at his clothes

CHRIS:

I feel like a mole in this joint, so I guess

I might as well come out lookin' like one!

DOUG:

Don't worry, I'll give you a hand as

soon as I can.

Doug turns to exit.

CHRIS:

Just two things. What do I use to shift

the stuff and where in hell am I gonna

put it all?

DOUG:

Scout around and see if there's something,

check that other corridor. If there's

nothing, nip out and buy a broom and shovel.

CHRIS:

And put it on expenses?

DOUG:

Sure....As for the crap, I've got an idea.

Doug leads Chris back over to the pipe and surrounding large

excavation.

DOUG:

Somehow, I'm going to have to band-aid

that thing since we can't really replace

it and then put a walkway over it.

CHRIS:

So?

DOUG:

Well, we might as well start filling it in

now. As long as you leave enough room

around that end of the pipe - so I can get

to it, we're set. Use them wooden boards

to stop it all spilling into the space -

We'll neaten it up later.

CHRIS:

You sure got a handle on that word "we".

Chris drags over the boards close to the pipe and lines them up.

Follow Doug to one of the corridors as he traces some exposed wiring

back up to the balcony area (It leads to a switchboard which is

hanging off the wall). There is a large cable leading out of the box

and through the side wall near the windows.

EXT - ASYLUM - DOUG - DAY

Doug pops his head out of the window and sees the cable running off to

a meter box. He climbs out.

EXT - ASYLUM METER BOX - DOUG - DAY

DOUG:

Well, here goes nothing.

Doug flicks on all the breakers that are off.

EXT - ASYLUM - DOUG - DAY

Doug walks back to windows and looks in.

DOUG:

Well, what do you know!

Doug climbs back in.

INT - ASYLUM - DOUG - DAY

A balcony light is on and Doug goes down the corridor and tries a

light switch which increases the illumination of the passage, although

some globes do work.

INT - ASYLUM FOYER - DOUG/CHRIS - DAY

Chris is holding an old shovel and has cleared a section as Doug

enters from a the corridor.

DOUG:

Not bad hey, I think I'll add Sparkie

to my resume.....Good shovel!

CHRIS:

Yeah, you're in luck there's two of them,

the other's in there.

DOUG:

Later Mate, right now I've got to do

the locks on these doors so we don't have

to climb through that bloody window every

time.

CHRIS:

I thought that was part of the charm!

DOUG:

I'll drill the locks and replace

the barrels, that way it won't cost

so much.

CHRIS:

A locksmith too? Why d'you ever bother

with writing?

DOUG:

I'm making history Chris, nothings going

to stop me. There could be a knighthood

for us in this, once President Havel hears.

CHRIS:

I'll settle for a pardon. You gotta drill?

DOUG:

No.....But I think Honza at the office

has. You keep shifting this crap and

I'll take care of the locks, shouldn't

take long. Take a break for lunch and

I'll catch you up later.

CHRIS:

And if the police stop by - what do I

tell them?

DOUG:

Tell them we're working for the University.

CHRIS:

Thought of everything haven't you.

DOUG:

Yep, except a name for this place.

CHRIS:

You're nuts man, Katka's right!

EXT - PRAGUE STREET - DOUG - DAY

Doug walks along a cobbled street, over the road and into a fairly

impressive old-style apartment building.

INT - OLD APARTMENT BUILDING - DOUG - DAY

Doug_s office is on an upper floor in a converted apartment. On the

entry door is a notice, BUGLER - STUDENT VOICE OF DEMOCRACY. Doug

enters.

INT - BUGLER OFFICE - DOUG - DAY

Decor is mostly original plus posters of Berlin Wall and American

Republican Party Convention hung up. State of the art office and

desktop publishing equipment. Doug walks up to the receptionist

RENATA.

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