One Chance Page #12

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JULZ:

I’ll thank you both not to talk about my

husband that way.

YVONNE:

Yes, you’re right, dear. It’s just so--

Really, why can’t he just put himself

first for a change?

JULZ:

Because then he’d be just like everyone

else. And he’s not is he?

YVONNE:

(kisses her cheek)

You’re a very lovely girl.

She takes Julz’ hands in hers...

ROLAND:

(rolling his eyes)

I’d trade both me ears for a pint about

now.

Despite his bluster, he’s just as nervous as they are. The

Choirmaster takes his place in the orchestra pit and the

lights go down and the Prelude begins to play...

The trio watch nervously as...

Paul appears on-stage, resplendent in the costume of an

Egyptian military commander. He sings his opening lines, a

discussion with RAMFIS, the high priest.

JULZ:

His first aria’s right at the top.

Ramfis exits the stage and Paul steps forward...

The TRANSLATION CRAWL appears on-screen, above the stage.

73.

PAUL TRANSLATION

Celeste Aida, forma divina. Heavenly Aida, divine form.

Mistico serto di luce e Mystical garland of light

fior. Del mio pensiero tu and flowers. You are queen

sei regina. Tu di mia vita of my thoughts. You are the

sei lo splendor. splendor of my life.

Julz mouths the words with him, squeezing the life out of

Yvonne’s hands...

JULZ (CONT’D)

He’s doing it. He’s all right.

They clutch each other, while Roland stares transfixed at

the stage in utter disbelief. He looks around at others in

the audience to see if they’re equally stunned then is

physically moved as Paul hits a powerful high note.

INT. BATH UNIVERSITY THEATER, STAGE WINGS - NIGHT

Paul comes off stage during the transition, hands on his

stomach and wincing in pain as he waits beside a

stagehand.

STAGEHAND:

Y’okay?

PAUL:

Yeah, fine.

STAGEHAND:

Sounds bloody marvelous.

PAUL:

(appreciative but hurting)

Thanks.

INT. BATH UNIVERSITY THEATER - NIGHT

Scene II is underway, the PRIESTS and PRIESTESSES of the

temple pray to the spirit Phtha... And then something

seems wrong. A priest repeats his line...

YVONNE:

What’s wrong?

One of the other priests steps up and sings Paul’s line.

JULZ:

That’s supposed to be-(

then she’s up)

Excuse me please.

74.

Pushing her way through to the aisle, then running out to

the lobby.

EXT. BATH UNIVERSITY THEATER - NIGHT

Julz runs around to the Artists’ Entrance where an

ambulance is just pulling up.

JULZ:

Oh God.

Paul emerges, tunic soaked with blood from his broken

stitches, arms around the shoulders of the Stagehand and a

BACKGROUND PLAYER as the EMS WORKERS take him.

PAUL:

(seeing Julz)

I’m okay. I’m okay.

Yvonne arrives, followed by Roland who carries a lager in

a paper bag as Paul’s loaded into the ambulance.

ROLAND:

What did I tell ya?

CUT TO:

INT. OPERATING THEATER - DAY

Where Paul lies unconscious as a team of SURGEONS operates

on him.

CUT TO:

INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - NIGHT

Paul sleeps with Julz curled around him. She whispers as

she strokes his hair.

JULZ:

They found tumors on your adrenal glands.

I know you’re frightened, and not singing

again is more than you can bear, but I

just want you to know that if you never

sing again, I’ll do everything in my

power to fill that void with as much

happiness as I can possibly manage.

She closes her eyes and holds him tighter.

CUT TO:

75.

EXT. FINNEGAN’S PUB - DAY

As Julz’ car pulls up and she runs around, opening the

passenger side door for Paul, who looks uncomfortable and

miserable.

JULZ:

You sure you don’t want to wait in the

car?

Paul shakes his head. Whispers that he has to go to the

loo, even talking clearly hurts...

JULZ (CONT’D)

That you can do on your own.

INT. FINNEGAN’S PUB - DAY

As Paul enters to an uproarious-

EVERYBODY:

SURPRISE!!

The entire opera company is there along with his Yvonne

and Braddon. They all begin to sing, opera-style...

EVERYBODY (CONT’D)

For he’s a jolly good fellow. For he’s a

jolly good fellow. For he’s a jolly good

fell-ow! Which nobody can deny!

BRADDON:

(”auditioning”)

Can de-nyyyyyyyyyy.

Ends in a coughing fit. Paul is touched and perplexed as

the Choirmaster steps forward.

CHOIRMASTER:

For bravery and the rather thick-headed

willingness to sacrifice himself for his

fellow man, and woman, and those

undecided... Bath Opera is proud to

present you with the first Golden

Appendix award, in hopes for a clean bill

of health, and a speedy return to the

stage.

BRADDON:

Hip-hip.

EVERYBODY:

Hooray!

76.

BRADDON:

Hip-hip.

EVERYBODY:

Hooray!

Paul accepts the Golden Appendix award, an amorphous lump

of clay painted gold, and starts to speak softly.

EVERYBODY (CONT’D)

What’s that? Speak up then.

He smiles bashfully then leads into Julz ear, whispering.

JULZ:

You’ve no idea how much this means to me.

My whole life I never even had one true

friend, much less an entire company. From

the bottom of my heart, thank you. And

much as I’d love to continue talking

through my wife, you’ll all be very upset

with me if I don’t use the loo

immediately.

Everybody cheers as he hustles quickly off towards the

back. Drinks are ordered and the Choirmaster hugs Julz.

CHOIRMASTER:

So how’s he doing?

JULZ:

He’s heartbroken, of course. Time will

tell.

CHOIRMASTER:

(hand her a cassette)

This’ll guarantee he can have his voice

back whenever he likes.

CUT TO:

INT. PAUL & JULZ TINY APARTMENT, BATHROOM - DAY

Paul looks in the mirror as he checks the fresh bandages

around his mid-section, poking and prodding them. So far,

so good.

He licks his lips and, building his determination, tries

to hum a single note but nearly collapses in pain.

He hears the front door open...

JULZ:

Hal-oo? I’ve got some lovely vichyssoise.

77.

He hurriedly buttons his shirt, but not in time...

JULZ (CONT’D)

Freeze, Jack!

(he drops his hands)

How many times--? Would you enjoy an

infection then? Perhaps another surgery,

like Dr. Thorpe warned you about?

(he hangs his head; pouting)

Didn’t think so. Help me with me

groceries.

He kisses her cheek then takes several plastic shopping

bags off her hands and carries them into the kitchen.

CUT TO:

INT. CAR PHONE WAREHOUSE - DAY

Paul helps a seven year-old GIRL and her MUM program her

first mobile phone. He’s lost several stone of weight and

his hair’s shorter indicating the passage of some time...

PAUL:

Or you might like the dancing frog

ringtone, which is quite popular.

GIRL:

What kind of an idiot wants a dancing

frog on their phone?

Suddenly, a DANCING FROG ringtone is heard. Braddon runs

from the back and answers his flashing phone.

BRADDON:

(suddenly black...)

Yeah? What up B-Dog. For reals? Yo,

that’s off the chain, yo, yo.

PAUL:

(to the girl)

Excellent point.

BRADDON:

Much love. Mad respect. Peace out.

PAUL:

I didn’t know you were a rapper.

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