derange: the script (revised)

8/10/2019 Derange: The Script (revised)

1/6

1

SCRIPT-DERANGE

INT. DARK ROOM

The shot is black and all that is perceptible is the sound of heavy,panicked breathing.

GIRL

Wwhere am I?

WOMAN

(A soft, patronising voice coos, with undertones of maliciousness)

Dont worry child, soon youll feel no pain at all

GIRL

Wwhat?

There is a sharp intake of breath

WOMAN

Its time the world became a littlelesswretched

GIRL

No, stop! I dont want this! Please, aha, please

dont haha, please hahaha, plea-haha

The words are choked and become barely audible as the sentences become

more and more incomprehensible. The laughter becomes louder, manic and

psychotic. Shot fades to white, the laughter fades out, echoing as it does

to instil fear in the audience.

EXT. THE COUNTRYSIDE

Ambient diegetic sound plays-wind, birds, trees moving etc. The first shot

we see is a weapon (a machete), which is shortly retrieved by Alicia.

ALICIA

(Voice-over)

Its been 37 days since the outbreak began. The

mentors introduced a new drug, to combat what they

called the vindictive nature of pain and anger,

what our society was built on. It worked well.

People were soon content; peace and prosperity were

the virtues of this world. Then it happened. The

process was no longer voluntary, it was mandatory.

Suddenly people had an adverse reaction to the

drug. Where once people had a right to feel what


2/6

2

they wanted, say what they wanted, delirium took

place.

Throughout the voice-over we see quick cuts of Alicia walking in a country

environment, switched (quick cuts) with shots of psychotic people

screaming and running towards the screen. Alicia sits down, staring at a

crumpled photo with a grief-stricken expression. The photo shows Alicias

family happily staring out at her miserable form. A tear falls onto the

photo, followed by a close up shot of Alicia wiping away the tears

streaming down her face.

(Voice-over continues)

It consumed those lost to the Archenda. Their

humanity dissolved by the psychotic thoughts that

now penetrated their minds.

She looks up and bites down on her lip, fighting the urge to cry. The

sharp sound of feet on gravel causes Alicia to leap to her feet. She turns

quickly, holding the machete out, standing resolute and guarded. We are

introduced to Michael, holding his hands out defensively, knees bent

slightly. A smile plays on his lips. Alicia lets out a breath, deflating

with relief. Michael saunters over, now smiling broadly. His eyes flick to

the photo in her hand. His smile drops.

MICHAEL

Alicia

Sighslook, there was nothing you could do

Alicia avoids making eye-contact with Michael. She tries to look anywhere

but at him. Alicia tries to hold back more tears.

ALICIA

II

Michael steps closer and brings up a hand to cup her face. Softly he rubs

his thumb across her cheek, masterfully wiping the tears rolling down her

face. The shot cuts to a close up of his face staring at her, concerned.Alicias expression is one of surprise and puzzlement. Suddenly he blinks,

as if in a reverie. Michael quickly looks down, clearly embarrassed. His

hand drops to his side. It flexes for a moment before regaining a natural

position.

His other hand reaches out for the machete in her hand. Alicia flinches

from the soft graze of his hand on hers before handing him the weapon.

MICHAEL

(Michael secures the machete to his belt, avoiding Alicias gaze)

Were running out of supplies


3/6

3

Alicia nods, eyes closed, and strangely wary of her friend. She walks over

to Michael and in turn, walks out of shot.

EXT. THE COUNTRYSIDE

Next scene, in a familiar urban/ country environment. The pair are in view

of the 2 Archans and a group of psycho-people.

ALICIA

Shit!

The pair stop to process the situation.

MICHAEL

Remember

ALICIA

I knowMichael

He looks at her, head tilted down as if to mock her. Alicia huffs in

annoyance and rolls her eyes.

ALICIA

They do not feel emotion, nor do they sense it.

They are not harmful yet they are stupid. Nothing

is more dangerous. The Archans sense resistance,

they know, trickery is our only hope. To survive we

can only fool them, show indifference when we meet

them and most importantly we must nevershow

weakness.

Thats it, isnt it? (Sarcastic tone)

Michael gives an appraised nod. He continues walking, looking straight

forward before dropping his head to the floor, hiding the smile that

escapes him.

As the two near the group a man (extra 1) reaches for Alicias hair. He

inhales deeply, eyes fluttering as he does so. His head turns so it sits

canted on his right. Michael stiffens beside Alicia and his smile falters

an inch. They continue walking. Abruptly the man grabs her arm. Michael

lunges at extra 1. Extra 1 stares on at Michael whose hands are buried in

his collar, knuckles turning white. The Archans turn to the sound of the

commotion. Archan 2s neckclicks violently as he cocks it sideways. The

Archans approach the scene.

ALICIA

Michael!

Michael whips around, to see the two Archans approaching him. As he turns

Michael goes to throw a punch which is quickly rebuffed by an Archan. The

archans grab at his arms, intending to pull him away.


4/6

4

MICHAEL

GO!

ALICIA

But Michael!

Alicia goes to run forward.

MICHAEL

Run Alicia!

Alicia looks around, troubled. Slowly she backs away but cant find it in

herself to leave him. Michael starts to break free.

MICHAEL

RUN!

Alicia sprints away. Unbeknown to her, just as Michael escapes from the

Archans extra 1 wraps his arms around Michael. He struggles to reach for

the weapon which is taken from him by Archan 1. Michael is pushed to his

knees. He tugs forwards from Archan 1s gripbut his head is pulled

harshly back, making escape all the more difficult. Extra 1 drops in front

of him, placing his face directly in front of Michaels.

ARCHAN 1

Archenda was made to solve this

(Breathes heavily, breath rattling)

this violence and painto make people happy

(More heavy breathing)

why cant you see thatwhy dont you want that?

MICHAEL

What?!

Michaels head lurches forward.Archan 1 pulls it harshly back.

(Continues)

How can I be happy in a world where I cant feel

any other form of emotion, something that makes me

human?!

ARCHAN 2

The girl

(Heavy breathing)

you are fond of her

MICHAEL


5/6

5

Dont you dare touch her!

Michael tries to worm his way free, to no avail.

ARCHAN 1

If only you accept the treatment, then your painwill be a trouble no more

(Heavy breathing)

ARCHAN 2

join us

Michael chuckles

MICHAEL

You dont get it do you?

(More laughter- a mocking tone)

No matter what you say, and no matter what you do

to project this wholesome image, sanctifyingyour

actions, how can I believe in it? Never. It sickens

me! Dya hear that?!

He looks around wildly, smiling, with tears forming in his eyes.

Its just a load of fucking bull-

Michaels sentence is cut short as Archan 1 slits his throat. Bloodsplatters onto extra 1sface. Slow motion editing shows Michaels body

drop to the floor with a resounding thud.

ALICIA

NOOOOOOOOO!

The shot cuts to Alicia. A high pitched sound effect is used. The Archans

heads dart in her direction. As they begin to walk towards her,

incidental music plays in the background, growing in intensity and volume.

Archan 1 wipes Michaels blood from the blade onto his trousers, as his

face contorts into a callous smile.The shot cuts to black.

MICHAEL

Alicia? Alicia!

Shot fades in from black.

INT. SMALL ROOM

Through a point-of-view-shot taken from Alicias perspective, Michael

stares into the lens with a worried expression.

MICHAEL


6/6

6

Oh thank god, youre awake!

Pause

You had that dream again didnt you. Its got

worsewhen you passed outII thought Id lost you

Michael huffs out a half-hearted laugh.

MICHAEL

Oh, you have a little something in your hair

Michael reaches out to the camera, obscuring most of what is seen.

At least it was just a dream

He retracts his hand. A sharp, quick, incidental diegetic sound is used as

we see that behind Michael is the malign face of extra 1, with blood still

plastered on his face. The shot cuts to black. The credits fade in andeerie, non-diegetic music plays.

END

derange: the script (revised)

Documents