CIRCLE
SCENE 1
INT:
Madeleine's living room
Madeleine is sitting the
sofa in her living room. The lights are switched off which leaves the
television’s flickering of movement and colour as the only light source in the
room. As Madeleine sits in front of the television, she has a flashback.
INT:
College classroom
(FLASHBACK) Madeleine is
standing by the classroom door with her teacher, who is introducing her to the
class.
TEACHER
Some of you might
recognise Madeleine from the other class. Madeleine will be joining our class from
now on, so I would like you all to make her feel welcome here.
Madeleine looks around at
the smiling faces and stops at a certain group she recognises. The teacher's
voice slowly fades out as Madeleine stares in awe of how cool they are. She
begins to daydream.
INT:
College classroom 2
(DAYDREAM) Madeleine is
sitting in a classroom as part of the group. They are sitting around a table in
a circle, playing card
games/chatting and laughing.
INT:
Madeleine hears her teacher's voice again, telling her to grab a seat and she
goes to sit down.
INT: Madeleine
returns from her flashback and as she sits in her dark living room she thinks
of how to become part of this friendship circle.
She smiles to herself and then switches off the television.
SCENE 2
INT:
College classroom
Madeleine is sitting by
the group of friends during a lesson and they seem to be getting along so far.
MADELEINE
So how long have you guys
known each other? You all seem really close.
TRACY
Well, James is my half
brother and we all met in high school.
Madeleine
Oh okay
Tracy
So Madeleine, why did you
have to switch classes?
Madeleine
Things started to get a
bit rocky between some people and me in the other class. They just didn’t seem
to like me.
Tracy
Why’s that?
Madeleine
(Looking clueless into
space)
I really don’t know…
Madeleine giggles to
herself
Well…I did
sabotage some people’s coursework a few times…as a joke. (She laughs). Some
people just can’t take a joke sometimes.
Tracy and the rest of
group each look at each other’s faces in reaction to what they have just heard.
Madeleine carries on babbling away.
Madeleine
Oh and one time I put some
laxatives I found in Sam’s drink. That was so funny. She didn’t seem to be
laughing though.
By now, everyone is
convinced that Madeleine is a psycho. They slowly edge their seats back to
their computers and simultaneously put their headphones on. Madeleine returns
to her senses and realises her “audience” has disappeared from before her.
Madeleine also moves back to her computer and continues working.
SCENE 3
INT:
(MUSIC) Madeleine continues seeking opportunities to join Tracy’s group over a
number of instances by trying to sit with them and talk to them.
1. During a lesson,
Madeleine looks over at Tracy sitting next to her and smiles. Tracy catches
Madeleine smiling at her and awkwardly looks away.
2. During break time,
Tracy’s group is sitting at a table chatting and laughing. Madeleine has
spotted them and heads towards the table. James sees Madeleine closely
approaching and quietly announces this to the table. Just as Madeleine sits
down, everyone stands up and walks away.
INT:
Madeleine has realised that Tracy and her crew seem to be avoiding her but
can’t seem to work out why.
Madeleine’s birthday is
coming up and she is having a party (despite her lack of friends). Madeleine
has written a couple of party invitations to give to Tracy and her friends.
After class, Madeleine
sees Tracy’s group in the hallway and runs towards them before they can get
away.
Madeleine
Hey guys! Wait up!
Tracy sighs before looking
back and they all wait while Madeleine catches up with them.
Madeleine
I’m having a party for my
birthday this weekend and I’d like you guys to be there…since you’re my friends
and all.
Someone sniggers at the
word 'friends'. Without a single response, Madeleine shoves her invitations
into each of their hands, smiles and walks away.
As soon as she leaves
them, they all start to laugh as they rip up the invitations.
James
She is so weird! I
definitely won't be attending
Tracy
She is a psycho for real.
Despite the length of
distance she has gone ahead of them, Madeleine can hear them making fun of her
and ripping up the invitations. Madeleine becomes very upset and continues
walking.
Madeleine
I’ll show you psycho.
SCENE 4
INT:
One of Tracy's friends is on their way to the toilet when Madeleine appears
with a masked face, grabbing him by the mouth and drags him away.
INT:
Tracy and James are walking through the hallway when a classroom door opens and
Tracy is pulled through it. James looks up from his phone and tries to work out
where Tracy has disappeared to, when the door opens again and a hand pulls him
into the room.
SCENE 5
INT:
Someone is walking down the corridor when they notice something going on in a
classroom. She decides to peer through the glass window. In the classroom is
Madeleine and her new 'friends', who are bound to their chairs and sitting
around the table in a circle. Madeleine had decided to organise her 'birthday
party' in college, where she knew they would definitely attend. On each of
their heads is a party hat made of paper and colouring pens, which Madeleine
had made earlier. For the party food, there are packets of cheap biscuits and
crisps lying around the table. Madeleine feeds her Tracy one of these biscuits
off the table. Madeleine seems to be having the time of her life and is
convinced her hostages are too. (Flashback of her first daydream sitting at the
table in a circle playing card games and chatting with her friends.)
