"MAGPIE - The half-life kid" Part IX by JR VILLAR

34.INT.ORPHANAGE DORMITORY NIGHT
MAGPIE, mad, slams the door and goes to bed. Other BOYS who
are preparing to sleep, look at him frightened. MAGPIE
ignores them. He throws himself onto the bed, takes the
magazines from under his pillow and flips through them
eagerly. LITTLE TOMMY comes in and goes to him.

LITTLE TOMMY
What’s up?

MAGPIE, furious, looks angrily at LITTLE TOMMY.

MAGPIE
Hey Little Tommy... Don’t push me!
(Shouts) D you hear me? Do not push me!

MAGPIE turns his back on LITTLE TOMMY. LITTLE TOMMY walks
away to his bed and does not dare to respond due to the
angry expression of MAGPIE.

35.INT.ORPHANAGE DORMITORY DAY
SISTER VIRGINIA enters the dormitory as usual to wake the
boys. Pulling the curtains apart leaves the dormitory in the
first light of day.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Its half past seven, boys. Wake up
and prepare for breakfast.

The boys begin to rise. SISTER VIRGINIA notices that a
certain someone does not arise. She calls for him as she
goes towards MAGPIE’s bed.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie! Time to wake up! Let’s...

At this point SISTER VIRGINIA pulls the sheets off the bed
and discovers that there are pads instead. SISTER VIRGINIA
drops the sheets.

36.EXT.CITY DAY
MAGPIE reaches Napier Road hoping to meet Michael Thompson.
He has brought a bag with all his stuff in. Confident, he
sits watching people passing by. He looks at people
curiously as they go on their way. Whenever a door opens,
MAGPIE rises and approaches to try to see something. At one
point CHARLOTTE approaches again, coming back from shopping
with her usual shopping bag.

CHARLOTTE
Hey kid, have you still not found
anyone who knows that actor?

MAGPIE
No miss.

CHARLOTTE
Who is the guy you’re looking for
again?

MAGPIE opens his bag and pulls out a magazine. He points to
a picture of Michael.

MAGPIE
It’s this one... Michael Thompson.
CHARLOTTE looks at the magazine more closely.

CHARLOTTE
Ah... I’ve seen this guy around
here. He’s driven past a few times.

MAGPIE
Do you know where he lives?

CHARLOTTE
No... But it’s around here for
sure.

MAGPIE
You think so? (Excited) So I should
expect the same... He will drive
past again.

CHARLOTTE smiles and walks from him.

CHARLOTTE
Good luck, see? If I hear anything
more I’ll let you know.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 46.

MAGPIE
Thank you miss. You are very kind.

CHARLOTTE beckons MAGPIE goodbye. MAGPIE confidently smiles
while looking at the picture of Michael in the magazine.

MAGPIE
Even if I have to sleep here for a
week, I‘ll find him.

MAGPIE straightens back up and continues to watch people
passing by.

37.EXT.CITY DAY
The sun is high in the sky. MAGPIE tries to protect himself
from the sun and heat of the day. He half-closes his eyes
and uses a magazine to create a little shade over his head.
At that moment a car is slowly driving down the street
towards him. MAGPIE sees it and, thinking it could be
Michael, gets up and runs alongside the car. The car comes
to an intersection. MAGPIE looks into the window. A MAN who
is not Michael is surprised to catch MAGPIE right next to
the window looking at him. The angry MAN opens the car door.

MAN
What do you want? What are you
looking at? Get lost before I give
you a slap...

MAGPIE
Sorry sir... I thought you were
someone else.

MAN
You kids are crazy!

The MAN closes the car door and starts to speed away, still
talking to himself. MAGPIE, discouraged, walks back to where
he was seated. Saddened, he places the magazine back over
his head to cover himself from the sun. He begins to lose
faith. Already having a dry mouth he now begins to get
hungry. When he is no longer waiting, CHARLOTTE appears
again carrying a small bag in her hand.

CHARLOTTE
I was watching you from the window.
You’ve been here for hours and you
have not eaten anything... I
brought you some sandwiches, juice
and an apple.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 47.

MAGPIE becomes a little more animated again. He accepts the
bag of food with thanks.

MAGPIE
Hey. Thank you. You must be an
angel, you know?

CHARLOTTE laughs heartily.

CHARLOTTE
What’s that boy...It’s just a few
sandwiches and some juice... But I
do have news for you.

MAGPIE gets excited.

MAGPIE
Good news?

CHARLOTTE
Very good news. (Smiles) I asked my
Lady and she knows of the actor
you’re looking for.

MAGPIE
Really? Does she know him?

CHARLOTTE
Well... no.

MAGPIE fades again.

CHARLOTTE
But she knows where he lives!
MAGPIE stomps his feet very quickly in great enthusiasm.

MAGPIE
You know? Tell me quick girl!

CHARLOTTE
Look over there! (Points) You see
those houses over there at Napier
Place?

MAGPIE looks in that direction.

MAGPIE
Yes.

CHARLOTTE
She is not sure exactly which one
it is, but she knows it’s the
second or third house.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 48.

MAGPIE
Oh miss! Thank you! I told you
you’re an angel sent to earth! Wow,
you’re so nice!

CHARLOTTE
I don’t think so. Now, eat the food
and drink the juice. You need to
hydrate and regain some energy.

MAGPIE is euphoric. He takes a bite of the sandwich, and
looks at CHARLOTTE, smiling.

CHARLOTTE
Well boy... good food, eh!? I have
to go but if you need anything
else, just let me know.

CHARLOTTE turns to leave.

MAGPIE
Wait miss... What’s your name?

CHARLOTTE
Charlotte. (Laughs and waves
farewell).

MAGPIE shouts after her.

MAGPIE
Thank you Charlotte!

CHARLOTTE laughs and heads home. MAGPIE continues to eat,
collecting his things and heading towards the house that
CHARLOTTE indicated to. He chooses a good place where he can
see the gates clearly. He feels refreshed. While eating and
drinking he watches the houses closely. Before long, one of
the gates begins to open. A gardener (JOHN) puts a ladder
against the wall. MAGPIE places the food back inside the
bag. JOHN begins to trim the hedge appearing at the top of
the wall. MAGPIE walks across the street. JOHN continues his
work. Suddenly he notices that MAGPIE is looking at him.
MAGPIE tries to act casual. JOHN goes back to work until
realising that MAGPIE is looking at him again. JOHN loses
patience, descends from the ladder and confronts MAGPIE.

JOHN
What are you doing here kid? Do you
have nothing else to do?
MAGPIE is distressed.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 49.

MAGPIE
Nothing sir... I was just watching
you work.

JOHN
Is that it? You’re looking at
others work... And you do what?
Shouldn’t you be in school?

MAGPIE
Hmm... My teacher... my teacher has
been off sick for a while.

JOHN
These teachers nowadays are always
sick.

MAGPIE
I can help you if you want. So I’m
not just watching you.
JOHN is suspicious, but decides to give MAGPIE a chance.

JOHN
Ok, you can help me... But, hey,
you’re not getting paid, You hear?

MAGPIE
Yes sir... I’m just trying to help.
So I will be busy.
JOHN thinks for a moment then decides what MAGPIE can do.

JOHN
Ok kid ... I’ll give you a task.
MAGPIE agrees. JOHN signals to MAGPIE with his head to
follow him to the gate.

JOHN
Wait here a bit or your ears start
to burn when I pull them...
MAGPIE laughs and JOHN is satisfied, feeling more at ease.
JOHN enters the garden. MAGPIE tries to peek, but JOHN comes
right back with a broom extended for MAGPIE.

JOHN
You can sweep all the branches up
that fall while I’m trimming this
hedge. Ok?

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 50.

MAGPIE
Well... ok sir.
MAGPIE begins to sweep by the gate. JOHN climbs the ladder
and starts to trim the hedge while talking to MAGPIE.

JOHN
What do they call you kid?

MAGPIE
Magpie.

JOHN
Pleased to meet you. I’m John.

MAGPIE
Pleased to meet you too sir.

JOHN
So what’s up? Tell me what’s going
on...

MAGPIE
Nothing...

JOHN
Hey boy... I was once your age too.
Do you think I believe this story
of the teacher being off sick?
MAGPIE laughs at being discovered.

JOHN
You’re not walking around doing
stupid things though, are you?

MAGPIE
Definitely not sir.

JOHN
Well I’ll trust you... But at your
age I would be running to the park.

MAGPIE
I like it here... I prefer to be
busy.

JOHN
You’re a weird kid. (Laughs)

At that moment someone opens the gates and a car comes out.
MAGPIE looks and this time has no doubt. Driving the car is
most definitely MICHAEL THOMPSON. MAGPIE stops sweeping and

follows the car with his eyes, his heart pounding. MICHAEL
nods at JOHN in recognition and drives onto the street. The
gates close again. JOHN notices that MAGPIE was gaze never
left MICHAEL.

JOHN
You recognised the driver?

MAGPIE
Yeah ... I recognised him but...
It’s that actor from television...
He’s the one who lives here?

JOHN
Of course. I’ve been the gardener
of Mr Thompson for four or five
years.

MAGPIE
Wow! What’s he like?

JOHN
He’s nice... No different from
others...

MAGPIE
Even though he’s so famous?

JOHN
Well... Here in Kensington and
Nothing Hill you can find famous
people from door to door. Fame and
wealth are not lacking here. But
not everyone here is like Michael
Thompson ... I have worked for
others and there are some complete
idiots, trust me.
The two laugh.

JOHN
Anyway... How are you doing with
your task? If you want to you can
stop, you don’t have to work while
you’re here.

MAGPIE
It’s not a problem sir. I like what
I’m doing... I can come more often
if you allow me to.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 52.

JOHN
I wish kid... But I don’t think so.
I already said I can’t pay you.

MAGPIE
It’s not a problem. I really like
it here. Please let me help you...
JOHN is amused. He scratches his head thoughtfully.

JOHN
Well... I have one condition
though. You can help me when I need
you to, but only so long as you
don’t fail at school. While I have
jobs for you, you can come. I’ll be
trimming the hedges for at least a
few days so you can come and help
me... I’ll speak with the
housekeeper and make sure you get
lunch. Ok?

MAGPIE is elated. He shows a radiant smile.

MAGPIE
Thanks so much! All you have to do
is tell me what to do and where to
go. I’ll do anything you say!

JOHN
But listen, there’s one thing you
must promise me... Don’t push your
luck with Mr. Thompson. Just talk
to him if he talks to you.
Understood?

MAGPIE
I promise you. You can trust me.

JOHN
Then we have a deal. But if I find
out you’re annoying Mr Thompson,
I’ll give you a kick in your butt
and then I will put you miles away
from here.

MAGPIE
I will not disappoint you, I
promise.

JOHN
Well... from now on, you’re my
apprentice gardener.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 53.

MAGPIE swells with pride and JOHN laughs, both in a good
mood.

TRANSITION SCENE (DUSK IN THE CITY)
TRANSITION SCENE PUB NIGHT (PLAN SEQUENCE)