Breathe Page #17

Breathe -Blue Revision -26 June 2016 97.

JONATHAN:

It’s okay, Dad.

TEDDY HALLDo we have to talk about scatteringashes? It is all a little morbid.

ROBINI suppose death is a little morbid.

The Blacker twins join them.

BLOGGS:

Robin, are we to take this

seriously?

ROBINI don’t know about seriously...

It’s all a bit of a joke, when youthink about it.

DAVIDBut are we really supposed to besaying goodbye?

ROBINMatter of courtesy, David... Oneshouldn’t leave a party withoutsaying one’s farewells.

BLOGGSThen we’d like to do it our way.

He and David form up side by side. They come to attention,

salute, and start to sing.

BLOGGS/DAVIDGoodbye-ee, goodbye-eeWipe the tear, baby dear, from youreye-eeThough it’s hard to part, I know

On Robin, mouthing the next line with them

BLOGGS/DAVIDI’ll be tickled to death to go

The crowd of friends round Robin listens, laughs. Tearsglisten in eyes.

BLOGGS/DAVIDDon’t cry-ee, don’t sigh-eeThere’s a silver lining in the skyee

They begin a synchronised march away, singing as they go

Breathe -Blue Revision -26 June 2016 98.

BLOGGS/DAVIDBonsoir old thing, cheerio chin-

chinNa-poo, toodle-oo, goodbye-ee.

Their march takes them into the shrubbery, out of sight. Herethey come to a stop, and standing side by side, not lookingat each other, they let the tears come.

141 INT. ROBIN’S ROOM, FURLONGS -NIGHT 141

Colin sits by Robin’s bed, his head in his hands, listening

to Robin.

ROBINI suppose I should be afraid, butI’m not... Stopping believing inGod helps... No afterlife,

nothing... Just the end of myinnings... Head up high, back tothe pavilion.

COLIN CAMPBELLBloody cricket.

ROBINAlways loved that game.

Beat. Colin lifts his head to look at Robin.

COLIN CAMPBELLSomething I have to say. I want youto know what a difference you’vemade to my life. It’s not alwaysbeen easy for me. But every time Icome here, I go away stronger. Notbecause you’re worse off than me.

It’s who you are. Or who you’veturned yourself into. God knowshow.

ROBINThanks, Col.

COLIN CAMPBELLYou were always the great player.

Cricket. Tennis. Girls. And you’vehad to live your life as aspectator. No more sixes. No morekiller serves. No more

He gives a meaningful shrug.

ROBINAs it happens, that’s not been aproblem... Just about the only partof me that’s worked.

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Colin is stunned.

COLIN CAMPBELL:

Seriously?

ROBINUnlikely as it may seem.

COLIN CAMPBELL:

Well, hurrah for that! You really

are a bloody miracle, Robin. There

you are, stuck in a chair, stuck in

bed, but there’s more life in you

than anyone I’ve ever known. Bloody

hell. I’m going to miss you.

142 INT. ROBIN’S ROOM, FURLONGS -DAY 142

A cricket match on the TV screen. Robin watching the match.

He looks weary. His eyes close. The distant sound of LeeMarvin singing ‘Wand’ring Star’

Breathe -Cherry Revision -28 July 2016 99.

SONGWhen I get to heavenTie me to a tree For

I’ll begin to roam, and soonYou’ll know where I will be

I was bo-ornUnder a wand’rin’ starA wand’rin’, wand’rin’ star...

A MEMORY FROM THE PAST

Young Robin at the cricket match from the start of the film.

He’s striding out to bat, looking back at Diana. This timeshe’s looking at him, smiling for him.

Robin’s eyes open. He stares out at nothing.

ROBINWho am I fooling?

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148 INT. KITCHEN, FURLONGS -DAY 148

Jonathan drinking coffee in the kitchen with Diana.

JONATHANDad’s Mau-Mau thing isn’tworking. It’s like a bad joke.

How does a paralysed man commitsuicide? He’s been tellingeveryone he’ll be gone by the endof the summer. I mean, it’s amatter of pride.

He starts to laugh. Then the laugh stops.

JONATHAN:

Oh, hell.

DIANAHe won’t let me help him. Did heask you?

JONATHANNo. I wish he would. It would besomething

He looks away, afraid of revealing too much.

JONATHAN-something I could give him.

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149 INT. ROBIN’S ROOM, FURLONGS -DAY 149

Robin in his wheelchair with Dr Clement Aitken by his side.

They’ve been talking for some time.

ROBINShould be simple enough... think ofit like putting down an injuredracehorse.

CLEMENT AITKENYou do know it’s against the law?

ROBINWho’s to know?

CLEMENT AITKENIf Diana or Jonathan were to beinvolved, they could end up inprison.

ROBINWhat about you?

CLEMENT AITKENOh, me. I’ve been breaking therules all my life. Just promise meyou know what you’re asking.

ROBINI know what I’m asking.

CLEMENT AITKENI’ve never actually played Godbefore.

ROBINYou’ll make a good God, Clem... Allthe God I need.

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151 INT. ROBIN’S ROOM, FURLONGS -NIGHT 151

Robin has had another bleed, and Diana is finishingcleaning him up. As she gathers up the blood-soaked sheetsand turns to leave

ROBIN:

Darling.

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She pauses.

ROBINThat’s enough.

DIANA:

Yes.

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ROBINI expect you know... but just incase... No one could have lovedyou... as much as I’ve loved you.

DIANA:

I know.

ROBINMy love. My life.

She reaches out to stroke his cheek.

DIANAMe too, Robin. My love. My life.

152 SCENE DELETED 152

153 INT. ROBIN’S ROOM, FURLONGS -DAY 153

Robin is using his phone system, listening through anearphone.

ROBINClem... It’s time.

He listens to the person on the other end.

ROBINToday. Now.

He listens again.

ROBINLike a military op, eh?...

Synchronise watches...

He listens, smiles.

ROBINThank you, Clem. I’ll be here.

He operates the sensor to end the call. For a moment he

lets his eyes close. He’s preparing himself.

Then he uses the sensor again to ring his bell.

Diana comes in.

ROBIN:

Get Jonathan.

Diana goes to the door and calls.

DIANA:

Jonathan!

Breathe -Blue Revision -26 June 2016 104.

Then, back by Robin’s side

DIANA:

What’s this about?

ROBIN:

No questions.

Jonathan comes in. One glance at his mother and he knowsthis is serious. They both turn their gaze on Robin.

ROBINI want you both to listen verycarefully... You’re to do exactlyas I say... This is veryimportant... Promise me.

DIANA:

Yes.

JONATHAN:

Yes.

Diana takes Jonathan’s hand in hers.

ROBINI’ve come to the end... I want torest, as they say, in peace.

DIANA:

Oh my darling.

ROBIN:

Not yet... Soon.

JONATHANTell us what you want us to do,

Dad.

ROBINYou’re to leave the house justbefore eleven-thirty thismorning... Go down to the pub...

You’re to come back at twelvenoon... on the button.

JONATHAN:

Twelve noon. Okay.

Beat.

DIANAPromise me I’ll have time to saygoodbye.

ROBIN:

There’ll be time.

Breathe -Tan Revision -2 August 2016 105.

154 EXT. COUNTY LANE/VILLAGE PUB -DAY 154

The clock on the church’s square timber-clad tower says

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