a fate better than death

8/14/2019 A Fate Better Than Death

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A Fate Better Than Death

Written by Glenn Williams


2/26

A Fate Better Than Death 1

FADE IN:

EXT. HOUSE NIGHT

Establishing shot. We hear the distant sound of HEAVY

GUITAR-PLAYING.

INT. GIRLS BEDROOM CONTINUOUS

We can now hear the instrument in all its glory as we get a

good look round the bedroom. There are elements of a

typical girls bedroom, such as the painted pink walls and

purple bedding and furniture, but with a rebellious twist.

The walls are mostly covered in posters of rock bands,

while the bed is unmade and covered in discarded clothes,

school books and general junk. A hand-drawn sign on the

wardrobe, in a scratchy font and complete with random

doodles, reads PROPERTY OF JADE MONTGOMERY.

Sitting at the end of bed is JADE MONTOMGERY. Seventeen

years of age, but with none of the typical teenage

attitude. The unusual combination that is her decor and her

taste in music doesnt fit into any particular category,

just as she doesnt fit into any particular social group.

She is just herself.

She has a look of concentration on her face as she strums,

full of determination, enthusiasm and enjoyment, yet a

clear lack of pressure.

KAREN MONTGOMERY, Jades mum, appears in the doorway behind

her. Mid 40s, petite, long brunette hair that contributes

to her looking younger than she is. She leans against the

doorframe and smiles, admiring her daughters talent. She

allows Jade to finish playing before speaking.

KAREN

Youre getting better all the time.

JADEMum... I didnt realise you were

there. How long --

(CONTINUED)


3/26


CONTINUED:

KAREN

Dont worry, only a few seconds. I

know you dont like people listening

to you play.

JADE

I dont mind if its you.

Jade smiles at her mum, who smiles back. A moment between

the two. There is a close, loving bond there.

KAREN

Your Dad would be extremely proud of

you, you know that?

JADE

Do you think so?

KAREN

I know so. When he became ill he

gave that guitar to you just as

something to remember him by,

because you used to love listening

to him play. He never expected youd

learn to play it yourself.

JADE(smiling)

Thanks Mum.

KAREN

I wish youd put your name down to

play in the open day music showcase.

JADE

Mum...

KARENI know, I know. Its just that you

have such a talent, its a shame no

one hears you play.

(CONTINUED)


4/26


CONTINUED:

Jade doesnt respond immediately. Theyve both been here

before and realise the conversation is dead. Jade looks at

the clock, which reads 9:45.

JADE

Im kinda tired, I think Im going

to go to sleep.

KAREN

Okay sweetheart. Goodnight.

JADE

Goodnight.

Jades mum leaves, closing the door behind her.

ANGLE ON DOOR

As light gradually turns to dark. The clock now reads

3:27am. Jade is fast asleep. There is absolute silence. At

least, until the sound of FIRE ALARMS rings out.

Jade begrudgingly stirs, struggling to open her eyes and

reacting to this unwelcome annoyance. Panicked voices can

be heard elsewhere in the house, then footsteps approaching

Jades room. The door swings open just as Jade is rolling

out of bed to put her slippers and dressing gown on.

KAREN

The house is on fire!

JADE

What the hell? How?

KAREN

I dont know, but weve got to get

out right now.

Jade rushes towards the door but stops and looks back at

her guitar, sitting on its stand.

KAREN (contd)

Come on!

CUT TO:


5/26


EXT. STREET CONTINUOUS

Neighbours are beginning to filter into the street having

seen the flames. Jade and Karen burst out of the front

door, and it is now we first see the disaster at hand. A

bright orange glow emanates from the bottom floor of the

house and thick grey smoke can be seen through the open

front door.

One NEIGHBOUR, a man in his late 50s, approaches a visibly

shaken Karen as she reaches the pavement.

NEIGHBOUR

Are you both okay?

KAREN

(stunned)

Were fine, but my house -

NEIGHBOUR

Everythings going to be okay. The

main thing is youre safe.

Jade steps forward and looks up at her bedroom window,

pondering. She zones out from the discussion behind her,

which becomes muffled to us.

NEIGHBOUR (contd)

Ive phoned 999. The fire brigade ison its way.

KAREN

Thank you.

Flames are quickly spreading and smoke is now pouring out

from the house. Jade scans the house intensely. The

neighbour notices Jade and points her out to Karen.

NEIGHBOUR

Is Jade okay over there?

Only now does Karen notice her daughter isnt at her side.

She composes herself to be there for Jade.

(CONTINUED)


6/26


CONTINUED:

KAREN

Jade, sweetheart.

Jade doesnt react. She seems to be on the verge of a

decision.

KAREN (contd)

Jade?

And the decision has been made Jade runs into the house,

not looking back.

KAREN

JADE!

Karen lurches forward but is held back by the neighbour.

CUT TO:

INT. HOUSE CONTINUOUS

Jade looks around with fear and shock on her face as she

enters the house, stopping at the base of the stairs.

Flames attack curtains, furniture and collectables in every

downstairs room with increasing ferocity. Maybe this wasnt

such a good idea.

The stairs are yet to feel the fires wrath though and Jade

hurries up them.

INT. JADES BEDROOM CONTINUOUS

Though they have avoided the flames thus far, the rooms on

the second floor are filled with smoke. Jade chokes as she

enters. Vision is extremely restricted due to the thickness

of the smoke.

Jade covers her mouth with her sleeve and stumbles her wayacross the room, tripping once or twice. Her eyes are

stinging, making her squint. Through guesswork and

familiarity she locates the guitar stand in the corner of

her room and picks up the guitar.

(CONTINUED)


7/26


CONTINUED:

Breathing is becoming harder. Jade leans the guitar against

the wall, opens the window and leans out of it. Even more

neighbours have emerged from their homes. One points the

open window out to Karen.

KAREN

(to Jade)

Oh my god! JADE!

JADE

(coughing)

I... I cant... breathe.

The sound of FIRE ENGINES can be heard, getting louder the

closer they get.

KAREN

Get out of there!

JADE

(weakening)

I cant breathe.

Panicking, Jade picks up her guitar and turns to leave. She

coughs violently and gasps for air. Unable to find any she

begins to feel dizzy. The room jitters and spins through

her squinted eyes.

Jade collapses with a thud. She lays sprawled across her

bedroom floor, guitar still tightly gripped in her hand. We

can hear the fire engine SCREECHING TO A HALT outside, and

moments later QUICK, HEAVY FOOTSTEPS up the stairs.

We see a very quick flash of a YOUNG GIRL, a fraction of a

second. The entire scene then rewinds at a rapid pace -

taking just a few seconds - and stops at -

INT. JADES BEDROOM FOLLOWING MORNING

Jade sits bolt upright in bed, wide-eyed and breathing very

heavily.

(CONTINUED)


8/26


CONTINUED:

Her hair is all over the place and her forehead is damp

with sweat.

She looks around she is in her bedroom. Her guitar sits

in its stand over in the corner. The confused look on her

face says exactly what we are thinking What. The. Fuck?

CUT TO:

Black screen. Title and opening credits.

INT. JADES BEDROOM LATER

Jade has showered and dressed. She sits at the end of her

bed staring into space, trying to make sense of things.

Theres a KNOCK AT THE FRONT DOOR, prompting --

KAREN (O.S)

Jade, that will be Theo for you. I

hope youre ready.

Jade grabs her bag and leaves.

INT. DOWNSTAIRS CONTINUOUS

Making her way downstairs, Jade sees her mum open the door

to THEO DAWSON, short and youthful in appearance. Same ageas Jade, but he doesnt look a day over twelve.

THEO

Hey Jade.

JADE

(quietly)

Hey.

Jade looks at her mum as she welcomes Theo in. The look

turns to a stare, one of confusion. Karen notices this.

KAREN

Are you okay? You look a bit pale.

(CONTINUED)


9/26


CONTINUED:

JADE

Yeah, Im fine.

(beat)

Last night...

A pause. Jade looks around the house and shakes her head

dismissively.

JADE

Doesnt matter.

(to Theo)

Lets go, were gonna be late.

CUT TO:

EXT. COLLEGE TWENTY MINUTES LATER

To establish -

INT. CLASSROOM CONTINUOUS

Jade and Theo enter, continuing a conversation. Other

students are just settling down. Class has yet to start.

THEO

...its always the same thing with

my mum. You play too many videogames. Theyll make you fat and

violent. Im as thin as a rake, and

I have no intention of hurting

anyone.

(pause for thought)

Apart from Mr. Linus, maybe. I swear

he has it in for me. Hes the only

reason I hate English. A D?

Seriously?

Despite hardly paying attention, Jade forces a smile asthey sit at their desks next to each other.

THEO (contd)

What about you? What did you get up

to last night?

(CONTINUED)


10/26


CONTINUED:

JADE

Nothing. I... had an early night.

The conversation ends there as MISS HOLLAND enters. Mid

20s, confident, enthusiastic, cool. A cool teacher. A rare

breed.

MISS HOLLAND

Morning class. Before we begin, I

just wanted to remind you all that

this week is the last chance to sign

up to play at next weeks open day.

THEO

(whispering to Jade)

I think you should go for it.

JADE

No way.

THEO

Why not? Ive signed up, and youre

a much better guitarist than I am a

drummer.

JADE

Dont you remember when we came toopen day? The hall was packed.

Hundreds of people in there. Nah,

Ill pass thanks.

CUT TO:

EXT. COLLEGE LATER

A large clock embedded above the entrance of the college

tells us it is 4 o clock the end of the college day.

Students are flooding out of the building. Jade is alreadyout, waiting for Theo. It isnt long before he is out. They

start walking home.

JADE

How was English?

(CONTINUED)


11/26


CONTINUED:

THEO

I hate Mr. Linus.

JADE

(chuckling)

Why?

THEO

I spent hours re-writing my essay.

Followed all the suggestions he

made. I got a C.

JADE

Its better than a D.

THEO

Only just. Oh well. How was your

afternoon?

JADE

Art was cool. Were studying a

painter, something Petrelli. He

painted his dreams, which he claimed

to be more real than anything he

ever really experienced. Was

interesting.

THEO

Ive always thought, wouldnt it be

cool if what we thought were our

dreams were real, and this world was

actually the dream world.

JADE

No. No it wouldnt.

Not since last night, anyway. We can see Jades still

wondering, as we are, if that was even a dream.

THEO

Not the response I was expecting,

but at least its a response I

suppose.

(CONTINUED)


12/26


CONTINUED:

JADE

What do you mean?

THEO

This morning, on the way to school.

You barely muttered a word. Youve

never been the most talkative of

people, but usually you manage to

smile or go along with the craziness

that comes out of my mouth.

JADE

Im sorry, I was just tired.

They approach the end of the road. Theo stops at the edge

of the pavement but Jade is looking straight ahead and

carries on walking.

JADE (contd)

Have you ever --

THEO

JADE!

Jade looks round but its too late. A car screeches towards

her as the screen -

FADES TO BLACK:

We hear a SICKENING THUD as the car hits Jade. We hear

gasps from pedestrians, and then

THEO (V.O)

JADE!

FEMALE VOICE (V.O)

(distraught)

Oh my god! I didnt see her. Shejust stepped out.

(CONTINUED)


13/26


CONTINUED:

JADES POV

Her eyes open slightly. Her vision is incredibly blurry. As

she tries to focus she sees the same young girl as before

standing over her. She is wearing a white dress and has

long, blonde hair, but we cant make out any distinctive

features because of the blurriness.

We only see her for no more than a second because Theo

who doesnt see her steps in front of her and kneels

down.

BACK TO SCENE

THEO

Jade, are you okay? Jade?

Jades eyes close and we return to black. Noise gradually

becomes quieter until it is barely audible.

MALE VOICE (V.O)

We need an ambulance. Pathfields

Road, by Henry George College.

THEO (V.O)

Jade, can you hear me?

FEMALE VOICE (V.O)

(sobbing)

I didnt mean to hit her. I didnt

see her until it was too late.

THEO (V.O)

Wake up. Jade, wake up. Please wake

up.

The scene rapidly rewinds, all the way back to --


14/26


INT. CLASSROOM - EARLIER

THEO

Wake up Jade.

Jade opens her eyes. She is slumped across her desk. Miss

Holland is continuing with her lesson having not noticed

Jade. She sits up and turns to Theo.

THEO (contd)

Are you okay? One minute you were

making notes, the next you were

asleep.

Jade looks down at her desk. Sure enough there is a

notebook with a page of notes. She looks at it for a

moment, confused. It happened again. She shoves her

notebook into her bag.

THEO (contd)

What are you doing?

She doesnt reply. Instead she stands up and runs out of

the classroom, the door slamming behind her.

CUT TO:

INT. JADES BEDROOM - LATER

Jade is lying on her bed with her hands behind her head,

staring up at the ceiling. Rock music is blaring out from

her CD player.

After a few moments she rolls out of bed, turns the volume

down low and sits at her computer. She opens the internet,

visits a search engine and makes several searches:

realistic dreams, dream world, unusual mental

phenomenon. None of those bring up satisfying results.

She does another search, this time for dying in dreams.She clicks on a link which takes her to a messageboard

about analysing dreams. She quickly registers and begins a

new topic, explaining what has been happening to her.

(CONTINUED)


15/26


CONTINUED:

Once finished she presses enter. We see JUMP CUTS of a

repeating cycle of refreshing the page waiting for a reply,

reading other websites and lying on her bed.

We hear the distant RINGING OF A PHONE. Jade refreshes the

page again and finally has a reply: ITS HAPPENING TO YOU

TOO.

Jade is about to respond when --

KAREN (O.S)

(calling upstairs)

Jade, phone.

After a moment of hesitation Jade reluctantly leaves her

computer and rushes out of her room.

INT. STAIRS - CONTINUOUS

Jade stops running when she reaches the stairs and walks

down them very carefully, holding the rail. Karen is

waiting at the bottom with a cordless phone in her hand.

KAREN

Its Theo.

Jade takes the phone and sits on a step as Karen leaves.

JADE

Hey.

THEO (V.O)

Hey. Just got home from college.

Thought Id call to see if youre

okay.

JADE

Thanks. Im fine.

THEO (V.O)

I did text you earlier but you

didnt text back.

(CONTINUED)


16/26


CONTINUED:

JADE

Sorry, Ive got no credit.

THEO (V.O)

What was that all about this morning

in Music?

A pause, as Jade contemplates what to say.

JADE

Id rather talk about it in person.

Can we meet up?

THEO (V.O)

Sure. Do you want me to come to

yours?

JADE

Nah, Ill meet you in the park in

ten minutes.

THEO (V.O)

Okay, Ill see you in a bit.

CUT TO:

EXT. PARK - LATER

Light is beginning to fade from the day. The wind is

picking up, blowing leaves across the park. Theo stands by

a tree, hands in his pockets. He kicks at small mounds of

leaves while waiting for Jade. She arrives moments later,

slowly walking up to Theo.

THEO

Trust you to want to meet up outside

just when its getting cold.

JADE

Sorry. I wanted to talk to you where

no one else could hear us.

(CONTINUED)


17/26


CONTINUED:

They move away from the tree, shuffling along a winding

path through the park.

THEO

What did you want to talk about?

JADE

Have you ever had a thought or a

dream that felt real?

THEO

(grinning)

I had a dream about me and Angelina

Jolie that I wished was real.

JADE

Theo, Im being serious.

THEO

Im sorry. I dont know. Dreams are

just dreams.

JADE

What if they werent though? What if

there was more to it?

THEO

Is this about that guy youre

studying in Art?

JADE

(slightly frustrated)

No, no. Something is happening to

me.

THEO

What?

JADE

Ive been having these dreams. Well,

at least I thought they were dreams.

In them, I always die.

(CONTINUED)


18/26


CONTINUED:

They turn off the path and follow the edge of a lake.

JADE (contd)

At first it was about once or twice

a week, but now its every day. Each

one feels more real than the last.

THEO

Scary. But Im sure they are only

dreams.

JADE

It isnt only happening at night

though. Last week I was in the

kitchen, next thing I knew I was

waking up slouched in the corner

having died from an electric shock.

THEO

Jade...

JADE

And earlier, we were walking home

from college and I was hit by a car.

Last night our house was on fire and

I died in my room. Every time

theres a young girl.

Theo looks at Jade with an equal amount of sympathy, worry

and disbelief. He receives a text message.

THEO

Its my Mum. Dinner is going to be

ready in a bit. I should be getting

back.

Jade looks discouraged as they turn around and walk back

around the lack, but pursues the matter.

JADE

These arent dreams.

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


19/26


CONTINUED:

JADE (contd)

Im dying, but somehow coming back

to life.

(off Theos reaction)

I need you to believe me.

THEO

Its hard to believe youve

discovered how to cheat death.

Jade sighs despondently and looks at Theo, trying to think

of what to say next. Not paying attention to where she is

walking she trips over, hits her head on the concrete floor

surrounding the lake and falls into the lake.

Theo reaches into the water to grab Jade but she has sunk

quickly. He scans the park for help but there is no one

around. He grabs his phone and dials 999.

THEO

(into phone)

I need an ambulance for Nayland

Park. My friend has hit her head and

fallen into the lake. I think shes

drowning. I cant swim.

As Theo continues speaking to the operator we see Jadefloating unconscious underwater, blood pouring from a gash

in her head. She opens her eyes a little as she briefly

regains consciousness. She sees the young girl floating in

front of her. Although the water distorts her, we can see

her clearer and for a few seconds longer than the previous

two times.

The girl puts her arm out towards Jade, who falls

unconscious once again. The scene rewinds and Jade opens

her eyes. She is lying on her back on the path, Theo

crouched by her side.

THEO

Are you okay?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


20/26


Jade stands up, looks around and sees she is in the park.

JADE

It happened again.

THEO

What did?

JADE

I died.

THEO

Oh, that. You didnt die. You were

walking by my side telling me about

these death dreams and I turned

round to reply and saw you lying

there on the floor.

JADE

I drowned in the lake.

THEO

We havent reached the lake yet.

JADE

We walked beside the lake, I

tripped, hit my head and drowned.

THEO

Jade, Im sorry but --

JADE

Youre going to get a text any

moment now from your mum telling you

dinner is ready.

THEO

This is getting ridiculous Jade. I

dont know if youre ill or jokingor what, but --

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


21/26


JADE

This is real Theo! This is

happening.

Theo gets a text message. He reads it and looks up at Jade,

bemused.

THEO

Its my mum. Dinner is ready.

(beat)

I believe you.

CUT TO:

INT. STREET - LATER

Jade has left the park and is walking home. It is now dark,

and rain is falling. At the end of the street is a

convenience store, which Jade enters.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - CONTINUOUS

The store is empty but for a single SHOP ASSISTANT behind

the counter and a MALE CUSTOMER at the back of the store.

Jade walks straight up to the counter and hands the shop

assistant a phone top-up card.

JADECould I have ten pound of credit

please?

SHOP ASSISTANT

Certainly.

The shop assistant carries out the transaction. Jade hands

him a ten pound note and puts her card back in her pocket.

The shop door swings open and in bursts a MAN dressed

entirely in black, including a balaclava. He has a gungrasped in his hands, which he points at Jade.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


22/26


ROBBER

(to Jade)

This is a robbery. Down on the

ground.

Jade does as he says and lies down on her stomach. The

other customer in the store, unseen by the robber, crouches

behind an aisle. The robber throws a small bag at the shop

assistant.

ROBBER (contd)

(to shop assistant)

Fill it up. Hurry.

The shop assistant frantically opens his till and starts

scooping notes and coins into the bag. Jade lies perfectly

still, breathing heavily but making no other noise.

She looks over to the other customer, who signals to keep

quiet and creeps forward along the aisle.

ROBBER (contd)

I want every last coin. Come on,

hurry up.

Jades breathing becomes heavier the closer the male

customer gets. Still she doesnt move, though her eyes are

wide with fear.

The shop assistant completely empties the till and hands

the bag back to the robber. As the robber snatches it the

customer makes his move, grabbing him round the neck and

reaching for the gun.

The robber flails around trying to fight the customer off.

Jade is unsure what to do, but seeing the shop assistant

run into the back of the store and lock the door, she

stands up.

In the struggle between the customer and the robber a

GUNSHOT RINGS OUT.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


23/26


A piercing scream is heard. The customer lets go and dives

behind a drinks fridge. The robber looks shocked for a

moment before running out of the store.

Jade sinks to her knees. She holds her stomach with her

hands as blood pumps out and runs down her fingers. The

customer sees this, rushes to the door behind the counter

and repeatedly bangs on it.

CUSTOMER

Open the door. Shes been shot.

Jade falls to the floor without letting go of her stomach.

Her breathing becomes desperate. She screws her face up.

The pain is intense.

Behind the counter the customer is still banging on the

door trying to get the scared shop assistant to open it.

CUSTOMER (contd)

The guy has gone. That girl has been

shot though. Shes bleeding. Call

the police.

The door still doesnt open. The customer turns his

attention to Jade. He grabs her hand to comfort her and

looks at her wound.

CUSTOMER (contd)

What is your name?

Jade opens her mouth to answer but nothing comes out. She

screws her face up again. Her breathing is becoming weaker.

CUSTOMER (contd)

Look, I dont know what to do. Im

going to go get help. Ill be right

back, I promise.

Jade watches him leave, but her eyes then begin to close.

She tries fighting it but eventually they close for good.

She lays motionless in a pool of her own blood. Alone.

FADE TO:

WHITE


24/26


FADE IN:

INT. WHITE ROOM

Jade opens her eyes. She looks around and sees nothing but

white. Shes no longer in the convenience store, but...

nowhere. No distinguishable objects or features, not even

walls. Just whiteness.

She looks down at her stomach. Theres no wound. She slowly

gets to her feet and scans this strange environment. Upon

completing a 360 degree turn she sees the young girl

suddenly standing in front of her.

JADE

Who are you?

YOUNG GIRL

I am life.

JADE

I dont understand. What is

happening to me?

YOUNG GIRL

Death is an inevitability of life.

Both are dictated by fate. Existence

is merely a process that bridgeslife and death. Sometimes that

process corrupts and death is

premature.

JADE

So, it isnt my time to die?

YOUNG GIRL

No.

JADEThis doesnt make sense. How can it

be that Im not supposed to die, yet

people my age and younger are?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


25/26


YOUNG GIRL

I dont interfere with fate. I just

maintain the process.

JADE

How is this even possible? How does

a young girl have so much power and

such maturity?

YOUNG GIRL

It is only in appearance that I am

young. I progress life at the cost

of my own.

JADE

(sadly)

So you will never get older?

YOUNG GIRL

Every existence has a purpose. My

purpose was discovered upon my

death. Yours will be found in your

life.

The young girl reaches out to Jade.

FADE TO:

WHITE

FADE IN:

INT. COLLEGE HALL - A WEEK LATER

Every seat in the hall is filled with children, possible

future attendees of the college, and their parents.

On the stage Theo is sat at a drum kit, playing a solo. In

the crowd Karen is seated next to WOMAN of the same age. Thewoman smiles broadly, her eyes fixed on the stage.

KAREN

You must be so proud of him Beth.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:


26/26


BETH

Yeah I am. Hes been practicing so

hard for this.

Beth looks at an empty seat the other side of Karen and then

over her shoulder.

BETH (contd)

Where did Jade go?

KAREN

She didnt say. Shell be gutted to

have missed Theo.

Theo completes his solo and bows for the audience, earning a

round of applause. As the applause dies down the sound of a

guitar playing begins over the speakers.

Jade enters the stage from the side, playing her guitar. She

looks across at Theo, who smiles at her and exits the other

way.

In the middle of the stage for all to see, Jade plays with

all the confidence in the world. She looks down at her mum,

beaming with pride and happiness.

Jade moves onto the solo, which can be heard playing over

the credits.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

a fate better than death

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