The Missing Page #5

LEESON (PRE-LAP)

And how are you sleeping?

27 INT. LEESON’S OFFICE - DAY 16 (PRESENT DAY) 27

The office has the cluttered feel of a college professor’soffice. A balding man in his late 30s sits on a faded sofa.

CAPTAIN LEESON, though despite the rank he’s dressed incivvies. Opposite sits SAM, who looks visibly uncomfortableto be here. Every word has to be dragged out of him.

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SAM:

Fine.

A silence. Leeson is at ease with this, but Sam shifts

awkwardly in his seat. Finally

SAM (CONT’D)

I don’t know what I’m expected todo.

LEESON:

You’re not expected to do anything,

Sam.

SAM:

I am, though, eh? Course I am. What

else you going to do with a headdoctor? You want me to talk about

Alice and... all that.

LEESON:

Not unless you want to.

SAM:

I shouldn’t have done what I did.

Okay? I know that, it was amistake. I’ll take the AGAI, days’

pay, whatever. But best thing forme is, get back to work. Thismodified assignment crap’s a wasteof time. Two days a week stuckbehind a desk.

(beat)

I need to get back to the regiment.

It’s been too long.

LEESON:

That won’t happen until I’vecleared you, Sam. You know that.

SAM:

Aye. Aye, I know.

He sighs and sinks back into his chair. Closes his eyes andhangs his head. A long silence. Then, softly

SAM (CONT’D)

I don’t want to talk about her.

Leeson nods. Quietly

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LEESON:

Why not?

We hold on a wide of the two men as Sam lifts his head up, aweary expression on his face.

SAM:

I can’t.

This hangs in the air. Because it’s said with the tone of aman who knows that sooner or later, he’s going to have to.

28 EXT. SUNSHINE TRAVEL - DAY 16 (PRESENT DAY) 28

Back in Kurdistan, and the searing brightness is a shock.

The ancient ruins of the Citadel loom high. Opposite theentrance, there’s a cluster of market stalls. At the heightof summer, there’s not much call for what they’re selling.

JULIEN steps out of a taxi and takes in the sight. Then hepulls his mobile from his pocket and slowly taps out anumber. Making the call he’s been avoiding. We hold on himas he waits. Finally -

CELIA (V.O.)

Hello?

JULIEN:

Celia. My love.

28A INT. JULIEN’S COTTAGE - DAY 16 (PRESENT DAY) 28A

On CELIA, on the phone. Looking incredibly anxious. Intercutbetween her and Julien.

CELIA:

Are you calling to tell me you made

a mistake? That you’re getting back

on that plane?

JULIEN:

My love...

CELIA:

Are you?

JULIEN:

I must see this through. I must

find the man who took those girls.

While I am still able.

CELIA:

Then we don’t have anything to talk

about.

She hangs up. On Julien - who hesitates a moment,

preoccupied with thoughts of Celia and home.

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And then he looks round and sees a strip of shops. On thefar left, a dusty sign proclaims “SUNSHINE TRAVEL”. That’swhat he’s looking for. He goes in.

29 INT. SUNSHINE TRAVEL - DAY 16 (PRESENT DAY) 29

A bell sounds as JULIEN enters the sweaty office. A fanspins lazily on one of the two desks. Behind this desk sitsa man in his late forties. Bearded, reading a magazine, hisfeet up on the desk.

JULIEN:

Aran Askari?

The man - YARDIL - puts the magazine down. Smiles at Julien.

YARDIL:

I’m afraid not. Aran is on a tour.

I am Yardil. Perhaps I can help.

JULIEN:

I was told to ask for Mr Askari.

YARDIL:

He is my brother. We own this placetogether. Perhaps I can help.

Julien looks at Yardil a moment, and then accepts theinvitation and sits down.

JULIEN:

You speak excellent English.

YARDIL:

What kind of guide would I be if Idid not? So. What is it you arelooking for, Mr...

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JULIEN:

Baptiste. Julien Baptiste. I wish

to travel to Azwya.

Yardil looks surprised, and nods thoughtfully.

YARDIL:

You are a journalist?

Julien shakes his head.

YARDIL (CONT’D)

Aid worker then.

Julien shakes his head. Yardil snaps his fingers - got it!

YARDIL (CONT’D)

Arms dealer.

Julien smiles - charming the man.

JULIEN:

Ah, you have me.

YARDIL:

There is a lot of fighting there.

It is not safe - but... it can be

done. Five thousand dollars.

JULIEN:

Five thousand dollars?!

YARDIL:

This is non-negotiable.

JULIEN:

I have only dinars.

YARDIL:

The border guards will only lookthe other way for dollars. There isa bank not far from here. If youturn right, and keep the Citadel toyour left, it is a few hundred

metres.

JULIEN:

When do we leave?

YARDIL:

It is just you and I. We can leavethis afternoon.

30 EXT. SUNSHINE TRAVEL - DAY 16 (PRESENT DAY) 30

JULIEN emerges from the sweaty office, and it’s almost arelief to get into the noisy and dusty outdoors once more.

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He looks thoughtful for a moment - contemplating theenormity of what he’s undertaking.

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31 OMITTED 31

32 OMITTED 32

33 INT. SAM AND GEMMA’S HOUSE. KITCHEN - DAY 16(PRESENT DAY) 33

GEMMA stands by the sink, on her phone as we hear it go to

voice-mail. It’s Matthew’s. After the tone

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GEMMA:

Matthew, it’s me. Mum. We’re going

to see your sister this

afternoon... I know you see her

without us, but... maybe we could

all go today. Let us know, okay?

She hangs up, looking thoughtful and upset. Then she takesout her laptop, opens it up. And starts scrolling through.

Her eyes narrow, focused. She’s looking for something.

Reverse - we see the picture. Two grinning guys in arollercoaster carriage, hurtling down a steep incline. She

presses a button, going to the next picture. Once more, it’sthe same rollercoaster, but a different set of people. After

a brief look, Gemma presses a button. Another picture, withdifferent people. On her expression we

CUT TO:

34 INT. SCHOOL. CLASSROOM - DAY 6 (2014) 34

CAPTION:
Eckhausen, Germany. 2014.

GEMMA stands in front of a class of schoolchildren. They’relooking at a digital whiteboard. On it, a quote in German

GEMMA:

“Niemand ist hoffnungsloser

versklavt als der, der falschlich

glaubt frei zu sein”. Anyone want

to hazard a translation?

Polite laughter from her students. Gemma presses a button onher computer and the English translation appears on-screen.

GEMMA (CONT’D)

“None are more hopelessly enslaved

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