One Chance Page #13

---

BRADDON:

Oh, that’s just my boss up at HQ in

Croydon. He’s mah boyy.

78.

GIRL:

You don’t look African.

BRADDON:

The outside may be vanilla darlin’, but

the inside’s chocolate through and

through.

GIRL:

Have you got a large penis?

Braddon’s about to respond, but a murderous look from the

girl’s mum freezes his tongue.

INT. CAR PHONE WAREHOUSE, BACK ROOM - DAY

Paul comes in to find Braddon doing a pathetic breakdance

celebration.

PAUL:

What’s got you all chuffed up?

BRADDON:

I just got a raise.

PAUL:

That’s fantastic, well done.

(surprised...)

If you don’t mind me asking, um, why

exactly?

BRADDON:

What d’you mean, why? I’m a stupendous

manager. I feel a sudden urge to sing.

PAUL:

Oh, please don’t. Actually, no offense or

anything, and this is no reflection on my

feelings towards you personally, but

you’re actually kind of a crap manager,

if you really look at it.

BRADDON:

Well you that, and I know that, but... If

you must know, our little shop had the

highest sales in all of Wales over the

last two quarters.

(singing)

The highest sales in all of Waaaaaaaales!

PAUL:

That’s wonderful!

(realizes...)

(MORE)

79.

PAUL (CONT'D)

You mean over the six months since I got

back from surgery?

BRADDON:

Yes, but-

PAUL:

During which time I actually kept the

shop open between the hours of ten and

six?

BRADDON:

Well yes but-

PAUL:

And put my singing on hold because-

BRADDON:

Because you’re a sissy.

PAUL:

(ignoring him)

And put the ads in all the local papers?

And--

BRADDON:

Alright, blimey. You’re getting a raise

as well.

PAUL:

I am?

BRADDON:

Couple’a quid an hour.

PAUL:

You serious?

BRADDON:

(singing again)

The highest sales in-

PAUL:

--all of WAAAAAAAAAALES!

So powerful Braddon takes an inadvertent step back and

trips over an unopened box. He glares up at Paul from the

floor.

BRADDON:

Bastard!

80.

PAUL:

(stunned)

I can sing.

BRADDON:

These cost me ten pound down the-

PAUL:

I can sing! I can-

BRADDON:

Don’t!

PAUL:

(whispering at first)

The highest sales in-(

belting it out)

--ALL OF WALES!

Braddon goes down again...

INT. PAUL’S APARTMENT BUILDING, LOBBY - DAY

Where Julz removes the mail from the postbox, and flips

through as she heads for the stairs. Suddenly she stops at

a letter and tears it open, reading hungrily.

JULZ:

Dear Mrs. Potts we are in receipt of your

cassette...and would very much like to...

YEAH!!

SMASH CUT TO:

THE DANCING FROG RINGTONE

EXT. CAR PHONE WAREHOUSE - DAY

As Paul, strapping on his bicycle helmet, answers his

mobile phone.

PAUL:

Julz?

JULZ PAUL:

You’ll never guess what-You’ll

never guess what-JULZ

You first.

PAUL:

I can sing.

81.

JULZ:

I know.

PAUL:

No, I can sing. Now. Again.

JULZ:

Oh, thank god.

EXT. BRIDGEND SHOPPING MALL - DAY

Paul coasts out of the parking lot on his bicycle, pumping

his fists in the air.

JULZ (V.O.)

Promise you won’t be cross with me.

PAUL (V.O.)

Cross is the last thing I’m going be with

you when I get home.

JULZ (V.O.)

You don’t know the half of it.

EXT. WELSH COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

Various shots of Paul singing “The Highest Sales in All of

Wales” with both fists thrust in the air as he pedals

through the rolling hills with their ancient stone walls.

PAUL (V.O.)

What’ve you done, Julz?

JULZ (V.O.)

Do you remember the cast recording of

Aida, before it opened?

PAUL (V.O.)

Julie-Ann?

JULZ (V.O.)

Well, I made some copies of it and sent

them ‘round to a few agents in London.

PAUL (V.O.)

You what?

JULZ (V.O.)

Someone had to do something to get you

off your bum.

PAUL (V.O.)

But, what if it turned out I couldn’t

sing?

82.

JULZ (V.O.)

Remember when I first met your mum and

dad and told them what a wonderful singer

you were.

PAUL (V.O.)

Load of bollocks as far as you knew at

the time.

JULZ (V.O.)

I believed in you... And it turns out I’m

not the only one. You’ve got an

appointment tomorrow in London with a

music agent who thinks you’re quite good.

PAUL (V.O.)

You’re joking.

JULZ (V.O.)

I’m not.

PAUL:

YAHOOOOO!!!

Paul WIPES FRAME, riding away from us down a mountain

road, whooping as he goes until-

A CAR APPEARS FROM NOWHERE-

AND SMASHES INTO HIM HEAD ON-

PAUL IS THROWN FROM HIS BIKE, BOUNCES OFF THE WINDSHIELD,

OVER THE HOOD AND LANDS ON THE PAVEMENT A DOZEN YARDS

AWAY...

DISSOLVE TO:

EXT. PRINCESS OF WALES HOSPITAL - NIGHT

Where Julz is seen walking angrily/terrified towards the

entrance.

INT. PRINCESS OF WALES HOSPITAL, EMERGENCY ROOM - NIGHT

She walks up to the nurses’ station.

JULZ:

(stammering)

I’m um... My husband, Paul... There was

an accident?

83.

DR. THORPE

Hallo, Julz. Right this way... You know

we’re thinking of building you two your

own entrance.

He sees she’s only barely holding it together. Puts his

arm around her and leads her into-

INT. TRIAGE ROOM ONE - NIGHT

Where Paul lies encased in a plaster cast that covers his

upper torso and left arm which juts out in front of him at

a right angle, supported by a metal pole.

His face is cut and stitched in several places and

supported by a thick neck brace.

DR. THORPE

His collar bone’s shattered and he’s got

severe whiplash.

JULZ:

But he’s not-

DR. THORPE

He won’t be running a marathon anytime

soon, but he’s not in any great danger.

PAUL:

(slightly drugged)

Hello, Cameron.

JULZ:

(kissing Paul’s face)

You have got to stop doing this to me.

PAUL:

I was singing again.

JULZ:

Go to sleep.

FADE TO BLACK.

TITLE:

EIGHTEEN MONTHS LATER

INT. PAUL & JULZ TINY APARTMENT - DAY

Where a radio plays a commercial for BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT,

“searching for the next singing, dancing or other talent

sensation” and a hundred thousand pounds to the winner.

84.

The ad is followed by Andrea Bocelli’s rendition of Con te

Partiro. Paul reaches out and switches the station to

Coldplay.

He’s reclining on an orthopedic chair while surfing the

internet for debt consolidation information. He’s gained

weight again and his hair is unkempt.

The doorbell rings and he hoists himself to his feet with

a grunt, and shuffles his way over to the door which he

opens to reveal Braddon.

BRADDON:

Are you Paul Potts?

PAUL:

No.

BRADDON:

Perfect, then you’re just the man I’m

looking for.

Paul lets him in.

PAUL:

What you been doing?

BRADDON:

(looking around)

More than you I’d say. Christ, how much

moping can one man do?

PAUL:

I’m not moping. I’m just...

BRADDON:

Not doing anything... Like working.

PAUL:

I told you, I’m still not up to--

Braddon tosses Paul a Car Phone Warehouse “Manager” name

tag and a set of keys.

BRADDON:

Too late.

PAUL:

What’s this?

BRADDON:

Feast your eyes upon the South Western

District Sub-Manager for Carphone

Warehouse.

85.

PAUL:

You are not!

CUT TO:

EXT. STEEL MILL - DAY

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes