Luther Page #2

Season #1 Episode #1

---

AROUND - WIDE EYED AND TERROR-STRICKEN.

Teller cries out - embraces the child.

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 6.

TELLER:

Oh, good girl. Good girl. Good girl.

REED:

(on phone)

We’ve got her!

17 INT. KTR MEDICO WAREHOUSE, UPPER LEVEL, WALKWAY - NIGHT 1 - 00.11

17

Luther stares down at Madsen.

LUTHER:

(on phone)

Good.

He hangs up. In the background, SIRENS APPROACH.

Luther glances in their direction. Then back at Madsen.

18 INT. MADSEN HOUSE, LIVING ROOM - NIGHT 1 - 00.12 18

Reed thinks a moment, troubled. Seems about to speak. Then

changes his mind. Hangs up the phone.

19 INT. KTR MEDICO WAREHOUSE, UPPER LEVEL, WALKWAY - NIGHT 1 - 00.12

19

Luther deliberates. Staring at Madsen, hanging there.

MADSEN:

Oh God, please.

An unbearably long beat.

LUTHER:

No.

Luther LETS GO OF MADSEN’S SHIRT. Madsen CRIES OUT - clings

there for a moment -

- then his hand SLIPS - slides - a MAD FLURRY as he scrabbles

for purchase - a FROZEN BEAT -

and Madsen TUMBLES into the night - down and down into

darkness -

On Luther’s face as he falls.

FADE TO:

20 INT. PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, CORRIDOR -DAY 2 - 11.15 20

Reed walks through hospital doors and along a corridor.

21 INT. PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, WARD - DAY 2 - 11.46 21

Luther sits, unmoving, almost catatonic. Facing the window.

Pulling back, we see that Reed is with him. There’s a CHESS SET

between them. Reed moves a BLACK KNIGHT.

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 7.

Luther doesn’t stir - so Reed plays LUTHER’S BISHOP.

REED:

This may turn out to be the first time

I actually beat you.

His phone beeps:
INCOMING MESSAGE. He checks it out, makes a

face. Pockets the phone. Stands.

Luther hasn’t moved. Hasn’t even blinked. Reed might not be

there. Reed claps his shoulder, fraternally.

REED:

Got to go.

Reed endures a moment of helpless sadness - then kisses Luther

on the head - in benediction and friendship.

He leaves.

Luther stares out the window.

GO TO TITLES - AND FADE IN TO:

22 INT. KTR MEDICO, UPPER LEVEL, WALKWAY - DAY 3 - 08.41

JOHN LUTHER stands in a HALO OF EARLY MORNING LIGHT. Spellbound

by THE DROP. Gazing into the abyss.

TITLE OVER:
SEVEN MONTHS LATER

FADE TO:

23 EXT. MORGAN HOUSE - DAY 3 - 07.31 SUNRISE 23

A converted farm. Mist. Early morning crow-calls. An originalMini parked outside.

24 INT. MORGAN HOUSE, KITCHEN - DAY 3 - 07.32 24

A kitchen. Eerie in the morning stillness. A tableau. On theworktop - a carton of milk, a loaf of bread. A newspaper.

POLICE OPERATOR (O.S.)

Emergency. Which service?

ALICE (O.S.)

Oh, God. Police. Please, please.

In the hallway - pass over the corpse of a DEAD GOLDENRETRIEVER. Its head has been blown to jam.

25 INT. MORGAN HOUSE, STAIRS - DAY 3 - 07.32 25

Panning up the stairs POLICE

OPERATOR (O.S.)

Go ahead caller, you're through to thepolice.

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 8.

ALICE (O.S.)

It’s my mum. Hurry. It’s my mum!

26 INT. MORGAN HOUSE, LANDING - DAY 3 - 07.32 26

Tracking along the silent landing.

POLICE OPERATOR (O.S.)

What’s happened to your mum?

26A INT. MORGAN HOUSE, LAURA’S BEDROOM - DAY 3 - 07.33 26A

A woman’s bedroom. LAURA MORGAN lies dead in bed. Shot through

the head. Blood on the bedding. The walls.

ALICE (O.S.)

Oh, God. Oh God.

POLICE OPERATOR (O.S.)

Miss?

ALICE (O.S.)

THEY'RE DEAD! OH GOD, OH DEAR GOD. MY

MUM! MY DAD!

27 INT. MORGAN HOUSE, STUDY - DAY 3 - 07.33 27

DOUGLAS MORGAN is dead at his desk. Shot through the back of

the head. A bullet hole in the window in front of him. Blood

splatters the window. He’s in pyjamas, a robe, slippers.

Wearing IPOD EARBUDS. Face down across some PAGE PROOFS he was

correcting. Fountain pen still in his hand.

ALICE:

I THINK MY MUM AND DAD ARE DEAD!

28 INT. MORGAN HOUSE, SITTING ROOM - DAY 3 - 07.33 28

In the sitting room, ALICE MORGAN - HORRIFICALLY BLOOD DRENCHED

-is on the phone.

POLICE OPERATOR (V.O.)

Officers are on the way. We’ll be

there soon.

ALICE:

Oh God! MUM!

POLICE OPERATOR (V.O.)

Is anyone else in the house?

ALICE:

I DON’T KNOW! PLEASE! PLEASE!

POLICE OPERATOR (V.O.)

Listen to me now. Stay on the line but

make yourself safe. Stay on the line

but make yourself safe...

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 9.

29 EXT. MORGAN HOUSE - DAY 3 - 07.40

As POLICE UNITS arrive, Alice stands at the front door - still

holding the phone. Wide eyed, blood-smeared. Terrified almost

beyond sanity by what she’s witnessed.

She’s an ISLAND OF BLOODY STILLNESS in the BLUE-FLASHING CHAOS.

FADE UP TO:

29A INT. KTR MEDICO, UPPER LEVEL, WALKWAY - DAY 3 - 08.49 29A

Luther is startled from his reverie by ROSE TELLER entering.

LUTHER:

Boss.

TELLER:

This where you spent your gardening

leave, is it? Looking into a big hole?

LUTHER:

I was just

TELLER:

I know what you were doing.

She approaches the edge. Bewitched, as we are by great heights.

She stoops - picks up a small chunk of plaster. Holds it over

the abyss. Drops it.

A beat, as it falls into silence.

TELLER:

Long way.

LUTHER:

Yeah.

TELLER:

(steps back)

So anyway. While “conceding certain

procedural shortcomings” on your part,

given the exceptional circumstances,

the Inquiry found no grounds for

disciplinary action. Which means,

you’re back. If you want it.

LUTHER:

I want it.

TELLER:

Good. We’ve got a nice Category A for

you.

She gestures -Shall we? Luther follows. After one last glance

into the void.

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 10.

29B INT. KTR MEDICO, CORRIDOR - DAY 3 - 08.50 29B

Luther and Teller walk.

TELLER:

You ready for the speech?

LUTHER:

I’m more than ready. I’m eager for the

speech. Give me the speech.

TELLER:

Rule Number One - don’t get yourself

in this situation again. Which means,

you observe case management protocols.

Any proactive strategies are to be

signed off by me. I don’t sign, they

don’t happen.

LUTHER:

Is that the speech?

TELLER:

That’s the speech.

LUTHER:

Good speech.

TELLER:

Thank you. It’s one I prepared

earlier.

They walk.

TELLER:

You and Zoe. You spoken?

LUTHER:

Not for a while, no.

TELLER:

And -?

LUTHER:

It was a trial separation. I tried it,

didn’t like it.

TELLER:

She feel the same?

LUTHER:

I did what she asked. Got myself

together. So let’s see.

TELLER:

Well, that’s the difference between

her and me. She talks about taking you

back. I actually do it.

LUTHER by NEIL CROSS Episode 1 Page 11.

With that, she opens the door - and they step, blinking into

the BRIGHT MORNING SUNSHINE.

29C EXT. KTR MEDICO - DAY 3 - CONTINUOUS 29C

Outside waits JUSTIN RIPLEY, sheepish in new suit and colourful

tie.

TELLER:

DCI John Luther. DS Justin Ripley.

Luther offers his hand, they shake.

RIPLEY:

Morning, Sir.

LUTHER:

Good to meet you.

RIPLEY:

Actually, you and I, we sort of worked

together once. On the Sidney Jackson

thing.

LUTHER:

Yeah, yeah! I remember. You did good

work on that thing.

Rate this script:3.0 / 2 votes