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

26.EXT.CITY DAY
MAGPIE walks down the street again. He stops near a
newspaper stand. He approaches the STALL HOLDER timidly. The
STALL HOLDER is at first suspicious and keeps an eye on him.
But MAGPIE talks to him.

MAGPIE
Sir, may I ask you something?

STALL HOLDER
What do you want boy?
MAGPIE hands him the magazines.

MAGPIE
Do you know this actor? (Looks at
the stall) Since you sell all these
magazines, I thought you might
know.

The STALL HOLDER looks curiously at the magazines and speaks
at the same time.

STALL HOLDER
Let me see. (Flicks through
magazines) Why do you ask?
(Exclaims) Old magazines huh? Where
did you find these?

MAGPIE
Hmm ... I was cleaning and
rearranging a few things and find
them. Do you know this Michael
Thompson guy?

STALL HOLDER
Yeah I know him ... The guy is so
young in these pages. He’s still
famous, but his success did not
last long.

MAGPIE
Is he still in the magazines?

STALL HOLDER
Yeah ... But not even half as much
as he was at that time. Now there
are others more famous. Some leave
others arrive ... That’s how it is
now.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 34.

MAGPIE
Is he here in London?

STALL HOLDER
I think so ... the best thing to do
is go to Kensington and ask the
paparazzi ... It’s always the
easiest way to search for
celebrities.

A CUSTOMER picks up a newspaper and waits to pay the STALL
HOLDER. The STALL HOLDER returns the magazines to MAGPIE.

STALL HOLDER
Go boy ... I have to work. Take
your magazines and good luck with
your search.

MAGPIE
Thank you very much sir.

The STALL HOLDER smiles warmly and makes the exchange with
the CUSTOMER. MAGPIE walks away.

27.INT.ORPHANAGE NIGHT

MAGPIE enters from the street. SISTER VIRGINIA, concerned,
approaches to talk with him.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Where have you been Magpie? I was
thinking about calling the police.

MAGPIE
Its ok Sister ... I just went out.

SISTER VIRGINIA
You should not have done it Magpie!
You’ll have to apologise to Little
Tommy as well ... It’s not only you
that is suffering over Jay.

MAGPIE
I will not apologise! (Indignant)
It was all his fault! He got
involved with those Ghetto Boys and
they ended up killing Jay!

SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie! Have you ever wondered what
Little Tommy is also going through?
Have you ever thought that he will
have to carry that burden with him
for the rest of his life? He has as
much right to blame you for being
in the wrong place at the wrong
time ... Little Tommy will have to
live with the idea that a friend
died to protect him ... Do you
understand Magpie?! Don’t make
things more difficult for him ...
and for you!

MAGPIE is silent and intends to exit to the dormitory.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Where are you going Magpie... Do
you not want dinner?

MAGPIE stops, shakes his head and goes to the dormitory.
SISTER VIRGINIA takes a deep breath, but does not press
MAGPIE.

28.INT.ORPHANAGE DORMITORY NIGHT

MAGPIE flips through the magazines lying on his bed. He
reads and re-reads, again and again. LITTLE TOMMY comes from
the canteen. He brings a tray bearing food for MAGPIE.

LITTLE TOMMY
Hey Magpie ... I asked Sister
Virginia if I could bring you some
food.

LITTLE TOMMY is standing expectantly next to the bed with
the tray. MAGPIE does not even look at LITTLE TOMMY. LITTLE
TOMMY feels awkward and, uncomfortable, backs towards the
door. MAGPIE puts the magazine in his lap and decides to
speak.

MAGPIE
You can leave the food...

LITTLE TOMMY smiles nervously, places the tray on the bed
and goes to leave. Even before opening the door MAGPIE calls
him.

MAGPIE
Little Tommy!

LITTLE TOMMY turns afraid.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 36.

MAGPIE
Sorry...

LITTLE TOMMY gives him a big smile.

LITTLE TOMMY
Don’t worry...

MAGPIE also smiles.

MAGPIE
If you need anything, tell me...
And I really am sorry.

LITTLE TOMMY goes back to the canteen. MAGPIE looks at the
tray of food, stashes the magazines and, with a big appetite
picks up the food to eat.

29.EXT.SCENES TRANSITION
NIGHT IN LONDON / SUNRISE IN LONDON

30.INT.ORPHENAGE DAY

MAGPIE goes towards the front door. SISTER VIRGINIA is next
to the door and accompanies him with her eyes.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Where are you going?

MAGPIE
I have to leave Sister.

SISTER VIRGINIA
No Magpie ... You have to go to the
classroom with all the other
children.

MAGPIE
I don’t want to ... I have
important things to do.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Do not disobey me Magpie. You’ll be
in class today.

MAGPIE
I won’t ... I won’t do it ... I’m
going out. You had better let me
out so that I’m not disobeying you.
I’m going out anyway.

(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 37.

SISTER VIRGINIA sighs. She listens patiently to MAGPIE.

SISTER VIRGINIA
What do you have to do that’s so
important?

MAGPIE
Hmm... I have to find someone...
SISTER VIRGINIA worries.

SISTER VIRGINIA
What else? What are you going to
do?

MAGPIE
Nothing Sister. Don’t worry about
it. You can trust me. I just have
to find someone, that’s all.
SISTER VIRGINIA is unsatisfied.

SISTER VIRGINIA
Do not get yourself in trouble
please. We’ve had enough problems
Magpie.

MAGPIE
I promise ... What’s wrong? I’ll
let you down?

SISTER VIRGINIA
What relief... I hope you know what
you’re doing. I’m giving you an
opportunity, ok? Do not disappoint
me. But I want to know the whole
story when you return.

MAGPIE leaves with a smile and goes out the door into the
street. SISTER VIRGINIA thoughtfully stares at the door.
SISTER TERESA approaches coming from the canteen.

SISTER TERESA
What is it Mother?

SISTER VIRGINIA
Magpie... He’s left me very
worried. I do not know what to do
with him.

SISTER TERESA
It is best to just let him loose
for a while. He has a lot to think
about.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 38.

SISTER VIRGINIA
True... May God help him.
SISTER TERESA comforts SISTER VIRGINIA.