EXT. CITY DAY
On the streets there is a great commotion. Everyone
is wearing the football shirts of the national team. The streets are adorned
with small St George’s flags of white and red. It is the day of the semi-final of
the euro cup 1996. England faces Germany and the country has stopped for the
game. We can hear the commentary and the National Anthem from radios and
televisions standing in every corner and street party. We can hear the Three Lions sung in the background of the city. There is lots
of joy.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 1 (OFF)
“Hello
again glad you’ve tuned in. You’ve obviously heard there is a football match on
tonight. England against germany the second semi-final of euro 96 sporting
history waiting to be made. And the winners now know that they will play the
cheq republic in the final on Sunday the cheqs got through on penalties against
france earlier.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 2 (OFF)
All the
lads and lasses here and all the smiling and painted faces all hoping that
England’s summer carnival will continue. (is
coming home music and fans singing)
Wembley
the world is watching you. You´re super.
(you never walk alone music and fans
singing)
And these
are the Lions of Terry Venables... Seaman, Pearce, Ince, Adams, Southgate, Platt,
Gascoigne, Shearer, Sheringham, Anderton and McManaman...
At every
name shouted by the commentator we hear cheers in the town.
INT. PUB
DAY
At one table a group of boys and girls aged
20-25 years are watching the transmission and drinking beers and juice. MICHEAL
and GEORGE are among them.
BARBARA
(To MICHAEL) What was your idea to come and watch the game with all
these scum?
MICHAEL
Barbara relax, live the moment here, in the middle of a crowd! It’s
much more crazy and fun. I want to watch football with the rough people! It’s
better than watching it at home with snobby uncles that talk about it like the
stock market.
BARBARA
But, why here? (Looks around) It’s scary. Is it not dangerous?
MICHAEL
Dangerous … why? Don’t be so snobbish (Looks towards the bar
counter and sees JANINE who is serving drinks). There is no danger.
JANINE is in the final stage of pregnancy.
When she looks at MICHAEL he shows discomfort. She makes a discreet signal for MICHAEL
to approach. MICHAEL disguises her attempts to avoid attention.
MICHAEL
(To BARBARA) Do you want another drink? beer? coke?
BARBARA
I'm still finishing this one ...
MICHAEL ignores BARBARA, gets up and goes to
the bar. He looks around to see if he is being watched. He tries disguising his
conversation with JANINE.
MICHAEL
What
do you want again?
JANINE
I
want an answer from you ... Am I facing this situation alone? You are also
responsible Michael.
MICHAEL
Fuck
off... Do you think I'm stupid? How can I be? Do you not see? What would I tell
my family... my friends? You're crazy!
JANINE
How
can you deny? You used me for your pleasure ... Seduced me, and was involved,
now you don’t want to accept responsibility?
MICHAEL, angry, looks around once more,
worried to be seen chatting with JANINE. He discreetly but firmly grabs the arm
of JANINE and pulls her to an interior hallway behind the bar.
INT. PUB
BEDROOM DAY
MICHAEL grabs JANINE’s arm and shakes it.
MICHAEL
What do you want woman? Money? Is that it? How much do you want?
JANINE
Do you not realize? I don’t want money... Not like this. How can
you think that about me Michael?
MICHAEL
You don’t want money like this? What then? Status? Marriage? Is
that it? Don’t you understand? You’re not in my class...
JANINE
Not in your class? (Angry) You used me and left me in this situation
and now leave me as I’m not in your class ...
At this point GEORGE appears from outside and sees
MICHAEL and JANINE talking. MICHAEL releases JANINE.
GEORGE
Sorry ... I was looking for Michael ... I just wondered if you
wanted a beer ... (realises that something is happening between MICHAEL and JANINE)
Have I interrupted something? Is there are a problem?
MICHAEL
There’s no problem ...
JANINE
Nothing is happening. Your friend and I were just confirming a request
for your table ... (For MICHAEL) I’ll bring your drinks now sir.
JANINE hurries out to the bar nervously. GEORGE
follows her with a look then turns suspiciously to MICHAEL.
GEORGE
You were not sorting out drinks ...
MICHAEL looks away uncomfortably. He turns to
leave. GEORGE puts one arm up to block MICHAEL.
GEORGE
Wait
... (Looks towards the door) You're going to tell me ... What was it?! (Laughs
joyfully at MICHAEL) My God. You know the girl more than I thought, that’s why
we’ve come here. Oh no ... You’ve been having sex with a half-cast! Are you the
father?! (Laughs challengingly).
MICHAEL
Shut
up ... Someone could hear you.
GEORGE
You’re
crazy... Getting a girl like that pregnant. Thought you’d have a bit of fun and
now you’re in trouble.
MICHAEL
I
told you to shut up.
GEORGE
What
will you do now? Are you going to pay for it?
MICHAEL
She
doesn’t want money ... She’s pressuring me.
GEORGE
Is
she blackmailing you?
MICHAEL
I
don’t know ... I don’t want to think about it now. (Angry) Let's go back to the
table or they’ll be suspicious, the match is starting... If you open your mouth
you’ll be in big trouble, understand?! Walk. Move it. (Pushes GEORGE towards the
door).
GEORGE
Chill
mate... I won’t make more troubles for you.
GEORGE leaves behind MICHAEL.
INT. PUB
DAY
GEORGE and
MICHAEL come from the back room. MICHAEL attempts to be discreet trying to be
natural as he stops at the counter and grabs some drinks. He looks menacingly at
JANINE.
MICHAEL
Are these drinks ours?
JANINE
(Fearful) Yes sir, you can take them.
MICHAEL goes back to the table but JANINE
challenges him, despite feeling afraid.
JANINE
Our
conversation did not end there ...
MICHAEL
turns threateningly. In silence he looks furiously at JANINE. JANINE feels a
chill and instinctively places her hands onto her belly, uncomfortable. MICHAEL
goes to the table where his friends are. He exchanges a look with GEORGE. The game
just started and comments are always audible. (Comments from the TV Off) Those present
at the bar react.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 1
Now,
it’s Kuntz ready to shoot... no... It’s in! (Disappointed) It’s Germany’s goal.
In parallel: When the commentator announces the
goal of Germany, JANINE feels a pain and her waters burst. Clinging to her womb
she sneaks out of the room with no one noticing.
In parallel: The shouts of the fans in
disappointment grows. More drinks roll. We begin to notice that some of the
customers are becoming slightly drunk. At the table of MICHAEL, GEORGE has also
drunk a lot and is more effusive at the result.
SUPPORTER 1
What is that!?
SUPPORTER 2
They cannot defend.
SUPPORTER 3
Come on Venables these guys needs to wake up!
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR (OFF)
Now England will have to run to pay for this. It’s the equal...
INT. PUB
BEDROOM DAY
In
parallel: JANINE is twisted against the wall in pain. She tries to sit down and
prepare for childbirth. She is sweating profusely and suffering. We continue to
hear comments from the TV Off and the fans shout in anger at the bar.
INT. PUB
DAY
In parallel: GEORGE talks shakily to MICHAEL.
GEORGE
You are my friend ... more like a brother. I will never let anyone
mistreat you, you understand?! Never!
MICHAEL shrugs GEORGE off, and nods to the others
trying to imply that it is because GEORGE is drunk. GEORGE embraces MICHAEL. MICHAEL
smiles to the others and tries to push GEORGE away.
INT. PUB
BEDROOM DAY
In
parallel: JANINE screams while giving birth to a baby boy. Their cries are
drowned out by shouts from the bar. Mixed with these sounds we can hear GEORGE shouting
from the bar, already out of control. JANINE looks at the door startled.
INT. PUB
DAY
In parallel: GEORGE clutches a bottle of beer
while cursing the television.
GEORGE
What
is that Shearer... Finish that game! (Yells) destroy them!
INT. PUB
BEDROOM DAY
In
parallel: JANINE, in tears, wraps MAGPIE in a towel, kisses him and hides him
in the closet. She looks at him one last
time and closes the door. She moves towards the door, scared. Suddenly she feels
more pain. She looks down and realises she still has another child in her womb.
We hear a report coming in from the bar. JANINE in a prostrate position tries
to give birth to her second child. At the same time as the end of the game, GEORGE
enters the room threateningly. JANINE is shrinks, terrified, trying to protect her
womb.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 1 (in off)
England
get the pressure play now to Teddy Sheringham trying to get shearer on the far
side onto to the volley... nooo (pause)
Gascoigne went flying in there and it looked as though it needed, well it did,
need just the merest touch as suddenly it looked like England could be in the
final...
At the bar screaming fans bereft. GEORGE
advances to JANINE.
GEORGE
Hey
bitch! how could you trying blackmailing my friend?
JANINE crawls across the floor away from the wardrobe
as much as possible trying to divert GEORGE’s attention. JANINE responds in
terror.
JANINE
I
don’t want anything ... I didn’t do anything. I don’t know what you’re talking about
...
GEORGE
Of
course you did nothing. You never do anything ... Is that it? You got pregnant
by my friend so you can blackmail him ... you bitch!
JANINE
Stop
please ... you’ve got it wrong.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 1 (IN OFF)
It’s
the end of the game, England and Germany will be decided by the
unpredictability of penalty shots.
GEORGE grabs JANINE violently and punching her
in the face. JANINE screams but the sound is muffled by the screaming fans in
the bar.
GEORGE
Shut up woman!
From here GEORGE beats JANINE. Plans are crossed
over with television images of the players getting ready for penalties shoots.
The plans intersect with each goal with GEORGE beating JANINE, mixed with the
fans yelling and JANINE screaming in pain.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR 1 (IN OFF)
It’s Southgate’s turn... Come on man, all of
England has their eyes on you. (pause) (Shout) Southgate! No... He failed...
England is out... No...
JANINE, bloody, craves mercy. The instant that
Gareth Southgate misses his penalty, MICHAEL enters the room in time to see GEORGE
unleashing a last strong kick to JANINE’s womb. MICHAEL extends his arms,
paralyzed by terror.
MICHAEL
What are you doing? Are you crazy?
GEORGE
(In delirium) I'm protecting you my friend ...
MICHAEL
(Shocked) This is not for me. You aren’t
protecting anything ... You’re crazy ... My god you're crazy ...
GEORGE
(Mad) Not at all mate ... I solved your
problem. I sorted out your life ... Forget this. Forget this woman. (Shouts)
We’re leaving now, go! Get out!
MICHAEL looks bleakly at JANINE, bathed in
blood, prostrate on the ground, undecided whether to undertake a rescue, not knowing
what to do. GEORGE pushes MICHAEL out of the room. MICHAEL doesn’t take his
eyes off JANINE while he is pushed out. The two leave for the bar.
TELEVISION COMMENTATOR (IN OFF)
And the dream it’s over. The Germans celebrate, the English cry. What
a sad moment for the country.
At the same moment that the game ends, JANINE
dies with a last grimace.
EXT. CITY
DAY
The city is in riot. The streets are now in
flames with small flags and beer bottles on the floor. The euro is over for England.
The national team lost and Janine has died along with her second child.
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