RELIEVED

A Screenplay by
Austin L. Arnold

04ausarn@stedmundscollege.org

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AUDIO

Relieved Opening Script

EXT. GRAVEEYARD. DAY:
[Male character is standing
in front of grave in
graveyard. Female approaches
from side]

FEMALE 1
(While approaching)
Here again? Whats this? The
billionth time?
(Now next-to him - suddenly joking
has gone, more serious)
Youve been here everyday for the
past almost two years. You know
it wasnt your fault dont you,
you did everything you could and
even then there was nothing you
could have done to stop it, you
were just doing your job. Shame,
if shed have died a week later
it would have been a different
name on there.
MALE 1
(Stands there, not wanting to
look at her as he doesnt want to
acknowledge what shes saying)
FEMALE 1
(Clearly used to this behaviour
from him)
Anyway, Im here to tell you that
the agency dont want you
anymore, theyre saying that
youre too "emotionally scarred"
from your bereavement. Plus
theyve got you a
therapists appointment this
afternoon and want your locker
cleared out by tonight.
MALE 1
(Still not looking, staring at
the gravestone)
FEMALE 1
Want me to go with you and help?
MALE 1
(Nods, unable to bring himself to
talk)
FEMALE 1
(Putting her arm in his so
linking arms, resting her head
against him)
You really miss her dont you.
MALE 1
(Just about managing to talk)
Yeah, everyday.

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AUDIO

INT. THERAPISTS OFFICE.

DAY:
[Shot of Males pupil][Just
voices, not visuals to go
along with them]

MALE 1
Hes turning off.
FEMALE 1
Take a left here, I know a short cut.

[Rapid zoom out, establishing

that Male 1 and Female 1 are
sitting next to each other in
the therapists office]

(Sound of crash)
FEMALE 1
(Shaking Male awake, out of his
memory)
Cmon, listen, this is important.
THERAPIST
(judging by his tone he
talking for a while and
getting answers as Male
paying attention)
Lets try again. How do

has been
had no luck
hasnt been
you feel?

MALE 1
(Cold expression, no answer)
THERAPIST
I cant help unless you tell me.
Ill start shall I? So, youve
lost your job? How do you feel
about that? Was it the right
decision?
MALE 1
(Turning to Female)
Do I have to do this?
(beat)
FEMALE 1
Do it for me.
THERAPIST
*cough* excuse me, Im over here.
MALE 1
(Turning back to Therapist)
If Im honest, Im relived I
left. Being there each day keeps
reminding me of her. (Playing
with the ring hes
wearing)Leaving might finally
give me a chance to move on.
THERAPIST
Do you want to move on?

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VIDEO

AUDIO
FEMALE 1
Of course he does.
(Pause)
MALE 1
Not really.

INT. LOCKER ROOM. EVENING:

[Lockers. Male is clearing
his locker out, helped by
Female. On his locker door is
a picture of the two of them]

FEMALE 1
(Nodding towards photo)
Nice picture
MALE 1
(Looking at picture himself)(Chuckle)
Yeah, miss those times.

[Friend approaches, clearly

close to Male, made clear
through his tone and manner]

(Going in for a hug)

FRIEND
Hey mate, how are you?
(Hug)
MALE 1
Yeah not bad I suppose.
FEMALE 1
Excuse me, what about my hug?
(Ignoring her)
FRIEND
So, dyou want to go and get a
drink or something perhaps
tonight? Yknow, as a leaving
present or something.
FEMALE 1
Yeah, thatd be great, thanks.
(Both Friend and Male ignore her)
MALE 1
No thanks, think Ill just take
my stuff home and have a quiet
night in. Sorry mate.
FRIEND
(Knows theres no point trying to
persuade him)
Okay, well, gonna miss ya, keep
in touch alright?
(Goes for another hug)
MALE 1
(Hug)

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AUDIO
Yeah, will do.

[Friend Exits]

FEMALE 1
What about me? Gonna miss me at all?
And what about my hug?

[Male continues to empty

locker. Once finished closes
it.]

MALE 1
*sigh* Well thats everything
FEMALE 1
You know its not. Youve got to take
it.

[re-opening locker, Male

takes out a brown file and
holds it in front of him]

FEMALE 1
Cmon, its been almost two years,
youve got to read it to move on.
MALE 1
I dont want to.
(Beat)
FEMALE 1
Do it for me.
MALE 1
(Unwillingly opening the letter)

[Inside is a death report of

his partner, who is reviled
to be the girl whos been
with him the entire time,
she is the one who died and
who he is struggling to move
on from. She has been in his
imagination the entire time]

(Going
file)
FEMALE
Go on,
it and
to it.

to the bin to dispose of the

1
youll finally be able to drop
move on with you life, please
Do it for me.

MALE 1
(Clearly struggling with the
decision)
No. "Forever and Ever"
(Turns away)

[Text message on Males phone

reads: "Weve got a lead on
him"]
[Shot of Male, sigh of
relief, title "Relieved"
comes up on screen as if hes
exhaled the word]