jane harrison stape storyline sample

8/3/2019 Jane Harrison Stape Storyline Sample

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Jane Harrison Page 1 For Assessment Only

THE STAPES: EPISODE 1 THURSDAY

JOHN is feeling like an absent father. He is heading out to the

hospital with a large teddy bear for Baby Hope. BECKY stops himin the street with MAX to ask about the baby. She is guilt-riddenand her talk of doing anything to protect family makes Johnuneasy. At the end of the street he spots MR. and MRS. HOYLEleaving a wreath at the tram crash cordon. They see him. As hedashes back into the house, Becky is left bemused.

John twitches at the curtains of No.5. He wants to be able to seewhat The Hoyles are doing. They suddenly walk past the window.

John skitters about the living room, hiding photos. The Hoylesknock on the door and John hides behind the sofa like theyreDaleks. Mrs. Hoyle calls to Colin through the letterbox and Johnhas to let them in - veryconscious about the hallways recenthistory. He tries to nudge them away from the spot. The Hoyleswant to know what he thinks about them postponing Charlottesfuneral to allow for an autopsy.

The Hoyles sit, attentive, as John panics. An autopsy would takeeverything from him. He surprises himself as he convinces themthat the funeral tomorrow is for the best they all need to putCharlotte to rest. The Hoyles agree and thank him for his honesty.The funeral will go ahead and the lawyers will begin executingCharlottes estate. They meekly let themselves out of the houseand John is left alone in self-disgust.


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THE STAPES: EPISODE 2 FRIDAY, EP. 1P/U: John talks The Hoyles out of having an independent autopsyfor Charlotte.

JOHN sneaks into Charlottes house. It is the morning of herfuneral and all is quiet. He finds a photo of him next to her bed andpockets it. He looks for more incriminating evidence. Nothing. Anoise startles him it is MR. and MRS HOYLE, picking up a boxof Charlottes things for the wake. John is frustrated; he cant seemto avoid them! They are surprised to see John but pleased to beable invite him to ride with them in the funeral car that is waitingoutside. He tries to think of an excuse but comes up blank.

FIZ,CHESNEY

andKATY

are at the hospital, speaking to theDOCTOR. He wants to run more invasive tests on BABY HOPE tofind out why she is not stabilising. Fiz agrees but wants John tohave a say as well. She worries that Hope might not survive thetests. Chesney tries his best to calm her down but he is out of hisdepth. He asks Katy to keep an eye on Fiz and goes into thecorridor to call John.

As John pulls up at the church with the Hoyles, his mobile ringswith an inappropriately cheerful tone. He turns it off. TEACHERS

from Weatherfield High in the congregation recognise John andwave over to him. He tries to convince Mr. Hoyle that he is tooovercome to go ahead with the ceremony. Too little, too late: MrsHoyle is distraught and naturally out-grieves him. Mr Hoyle thinksJohn is wonderful for staying strong and they all walk into thechurch.

Chesney is furious that Johns phone is turned off. He leaves anangry voicemail message, demanding that he contact them

immediately. Katy agrees that Johns absence is strange but feelsChesney is getting carried away. Chesney relents and goes tofetch Fiz something to eat. Katy takes Chesneys phone and startscalling John herself.

A taxi pulls up outside the church and RITA, NORRIS and EMILYpour out, late and rushing. Emily worries whether Rita is going tobe feeling up to the service. Rita is determined to pay her respectsto another victim of the tram crash and forges ahead. Norris

follows behind, griping.


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John is wedged next to The Hoyles on a front pew. The VICAR isspeaking about Charlottes life. As Mrs. Hoyle cries next to him,John glances behind him to the Teachers he recognises. Theylook bored. John jumps out of his skin as the church door opens.

He looks, as does everyone else in the congregation. Rita, Norrisand Emily enter, apologising. John cringes and tries to slide downin his seat. The vicar invites the first speaker to the pulpit;someone who was close to Charlotte Colin.


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THE STAPES: EPISODE 3 FRIDAY, EP. 2.P/U: John has been called up to as Colin to give a eulogy atCharlottes funeral.

JOHN is frozen in place. He has no idea what he should do. TheVICAR calls for Colin a second time. MR and MRS HOYLE look tohim, confused. John balks at the attention and reluctantly makeshis way up to the pulpit. He passes Charlottes coffin, moved bythe floral tribute on top. The vicar steps aside and John standsbehind the lectern. He clears his throat and looks out at the facesin the crowd. RITA, NORRIS and EMILY whisper to each other,surprised to see him.

John begins to deliver his eulogy. As he looks towards theTEACHERS from Weatherfield High and Rita, he keeps his wordsas neutral as possible. But when he risks a glance at thedevastated Hoyles, he pauses. They nod their encouragement andhe continues. The eulogy is a very general, platitude-filled disaster.He returns to his seat and the Vicar brings the service to a closewith a hymn; Johns relief is palpable.

Outside the church, the funeral cortege are preparing to go to thecemetery for the burial. John takes a moment to duck to one side

unseen and check his phone. He listens to the angry voicemailmessage left by Chesney. The Hoyles appear, worried that he isstood alone. He feigns being overcome with grief and they excusehim from the burial. He gets into Rita, Norris and Emilys waitingtaxi and leaves them all standing, open-mouthed.

John rushes to the NICU ward and sees FIZ through the window,sat in a chair next to BABY HOPE. Things are serious. CHESNEYis in the corridor and stops John from entering the room. He is

angry and demands to know where John has been. John justwants to know how Hope is. KATY appears and makes Chesneycalm down. Baby Hopes machines bleep wildly. John enters asthe DOCTOR and NICU NURSE work to stabilise the baby.

Baby Hope has developed an infection and a fever. Fiz and Johnare stood next to the incubator as Chesney and Katy watch fromthe doorway. John starts to apologise for his absence but Fizdoesnt want to hear it. She hugs him and starts to cry, so relieved

that he is finally with her. John vows that everything will be okay.

jane harrison stape storyline sample

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