From Past to Present By Vaidhi Kohout
Vaidhi Kohout
Unit 1/75 Leycester Street, Lismore NSW 2480. Telephone: 02 6622 4384 Email:
[email protected]
From ‘Past to Present’ explores the degeneration of an ideal young nuclear family, through unavoidable and unexpected illness. Interludes of motion show Tony at the doctors from an outside perspective omitting dialogue intersected between interactions between the leading characters Tony and Trudy Smith. Inspired by film Noir, abstract film genres and writer/directors like David Lynch, stills used in photograph style intend to create a reflective awareness of love and loss as a theme, encouraging the viewer to consider personal family interactions. Characters Tony Smith: 34 years old. Tony is a Scorpio who is handsome, tall, with golden brown hair worn short, a prosperous executive. Tony enjoys the finer things in life, eating red meat, drinking alcohol and driving his two cars, a classic ‘Holden’ and a modern ‘Lotus Elise’. Trudy Smith: A Piscean, 31 years old, tall, slim and pretty, effervescent and flirtatious. Trudy prides herself on being worldly but really isn’t, concentrating her writing skills mainly on human rights not culture. Sadie Smith: Sadie is a newborn at the start of the film, and grows up through the film, to when she is three years old, an important time for her because it is the last time she sees her father Tony. Sadie has the appearance of her mother, with blonde hair and brown eyes, which are like her father’s hazel eyes. She is confused about the man which they travel on the train to see and tearful arguments via telephone before they take these mysterious journeys. Additional characters Alicia MacDonald (personal assistant), Hospital reception nurse, Hospital Midwife, Joan and Kevin Allen (Trudy’s Parents), Family doctor, Medical Specialist. 1
1. INT. DAY. MOBIL PETROL BUILDING MIDDAY sun wafts through the windows of the fifth storey boardroom as TONY SMITH stands in the centre of the floor, before gathered national CEO’s and several international investors. TONY SMITH With added sources from South America, Mobil petrol will exceed profit turnover 15 percent within 2 years. ALICIA MACDONALD, Tony’s personal assistant enters approaching Tony.
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ALICIA MACDONALD (softly almost unheard)Excuse me Tony, the hospital is on the phone... Concerned Tony steps to the left turning his back on the meetings attendees. After a few moments of murmuring, Tony gestures to his presentation partner PETER JONES TONY SMITH (returning to original position), Gentlemen if you would excuse me, my partner Peter will be continuing the presentation, My wife is having a baby (smiles). Tony hands a small stack of business cards to Alicia, hands them to the executives TONY SMITH If there are any questions please contact me. Tony exits and enters an elevator on his right. 2
2. EXT. DAY. CAR PARK Tony strides through the car park until he stands before a red Lotus Elise clicking the security alarm . Opening the car door, Tony sits for a moment, his legs hanging out the side of the door, looking at his watch, Tony closes the door and starts the engine, laughing to himself. Proceeding through medium traffic missing street signage declaring a limit of 60 kmph as he checks his speedometer, at 75 kmph. Tony turns at a blue hospital sign and parks ignoring the parking meter .
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3. INT. DAY. HOSPITAL Tony rushes through the main entrance of the hospital and approaches the front desk. TONY SMITH I’m looking for Trudy Smith, she has just gone into labour. NURSE Follow the corridor on the right until you get to the birthing wing, then ask at the reception area.
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4.INT. DAY. HOSPITAL Following the corridor, Tony arrives at a waiting room, approaching a desk where a midwife sits looking at medical folders. TONY SMITH The nurse at reception directed me here, I’m Tony Smith,Trudy Smith’s husband, I had a phone call that my wife has gone into labour. MIDWIFE 1 Hello Tony, I spoke to your receptionist, If you’ll take a seat, I’ll see if you can go in. Midwife 1 walks between 2 white double doors. Sitting in the plastic chairs of the waiting room Tony recalls that the waiting room looks like the airport.
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5. INT. DAY. AIRPORT (Flashback) Flights numbers echo in the distance, nervous Tony Smith sits, looking out large windows, holding a suitcase. A blonde woman approaches, tapping him on the shoulder. TRUDY SMITH Tony Tony turns around TRUDY SMITH National Geographic wasn’t all it was cracked up to be hey?(smiling)
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6. INT. DAY. HOSPITAL BIRTHING CENTRE RECEPTION The young midwife touches Tony on the shoulder, interrupting his memoirs. MIDWIFE 1 Mr Smith, If you want to follow me I’ll take you to see your wife Tony gets up and follows her
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7. INT. DAY. HOSPITAL ROOM In a bed covered with white sheets, lies Trudy Smith her blonde hair mussed holding a tiny baby in her arms. MIDWIFE 2 Congratulations, Mr Smith you are the father of a baby girl. Tony sits directly next to the bed, leans in and kisses Trudy on the mouth, then sits back and looks at the tiny baby with blonde hair poking out of a light blue blanket. Midwife 2 picks up the baby and puts her in the arms of her father. Tony strokes her hair as she sleeps in the warm sunlight of the hospital room. Midwife 2 exits. TRUDY SMITH I want to call her SADIE, how’s that sound to you? TONY SMITH Great, (nodding) Midwife 2 re-enters the room with a folder in her hand. MIDWIFE 2 The doctor says that you can come and pick Sadie (looking at the baby) and Trudy up tomorrow at midday. Tony kisses Sadie on the forehead, and hands her back to Trudy, kissing Trudy gently on the cheek. TONY SMITH I guess I’ll see you tomorrow Tony walks out of the hospital.
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8. EXT. MIDDAY. HOSPITAL CAR PARK. Trudy holding Sadie follows Tony to the car in watery sunlight. Arriving at their home they see JOAN and KEVIN ALLEN on the front porch (O/S) KEVIN ALLEN Wave to the camera Sadie MONTAGE A snapshot of Tony, Trudy and Sadie is taken with Trudy holding up the hand of Sadie, by the front gate of their two-storey home. END MONTAGE
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9. INT. DAY. MOBIL BUILDING FOYER Tony walks to his car smiling. Stopping at a florist and exiting, carrying a bunch of roses and a doll.Brakes screech as Tony almost collides with the front of a yellow car on his right. Tony continues carefully driving cautiously home.
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10. INT. DAY. KITCHEN Sadie clutches her doll tightly sitting in a bouncer. Trudy places roses in a vase at the sink. Tony approaches behind Trudy embracing her intimately and kissing her on the neck. TONY SMITH Have you bought anymore pain killers, I have a terrible headache. Trudy turns and smiles TRUDY SMITH They’re in the bathroom cabinet Tony walks off to the bathroom and Trudy’s smile dissolves, replaced with a look of delayed concern. Tony re-enters the kitchen pouring himself a glass of red wine and takes two tablets. TONY SMITH I wanted to celebrate finalising the South America campaign with you tonight, but my head hurts too much, I’m going to have to go to bed. Trudy nods disappointingly sitting down at the table, pouring herself a glass of wine, as Tony exits the kitchen.
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11. INT. DAY. KITCHEN Trudy is drying a plate with a tea towel, Tony sits at the kitchen table. TONY SMITH These painkillers haven’t been working, so I’ve made an appointment at the doctors. TRUDY SMITH Is that Dr Farlane?
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TONY SMITH Yeah. 12
12. INT. DAY. DR SURGERY Tony sits on the bed in the doctors consultation room as the doctor in a white coat takes his blood pressure and heart rate. MONTAGE An eye test chart appears onscreen as Tony incorrectly repeats the letters before him whilst the chart goes in and out of focus. END MONTAGE Tony exits the doctors surgery with a prescription for a painkiller and the details of a specialist, hunched with abdominal pain.
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13. INT. DAY. DR SURGERY TWO Tony sits in a sterile white consultation room, a doctor takes blood samples
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14. EXT. MORNING. LETTERBOX Tony dressed in pajamas opens a letter . Tony screws up this letter in his fist angrily as he walks indoors.
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15. INT. MORNING. HALL A telephone is answered in a dark hall by Tony TONY SMITH Hello, Tony Smith speaking (O/S) RECEPTIONIST Hello Tony, This is Jacinta Hawking from Dr Carnarvicle’s office, can you make it in tomorrow between 3-4 in the afternoon? TONY SMITH Sure, I’ll be there.
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16. INT. DAY. DR SURGERY Tony faces the doctor, Dr Carnarvicle draws out several x-rays from a folder, and clips them onto a light board. DR CARNARVICLE Neurofibromatosis is hard to diagnose and is also known as NF1. I have found several areas on your hands and skull (pointing) where tumors have started to occur, unfortunately treatment for NF1... Dr Carnarvicle’s words become unintelligible sounds as Tony watches his mouth move DR CARNARVICLE (CONT) I suggest as soon as possible you bring your daughter in for some tests as there is a 50 percent chance of the child of an affected parent also having the disease.
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17. INT. AFTERNOON. KITCHEN Tony holding diagnosis of NF1 sits at his kitchen table alone,picking up another letter dated 15 May he reads TONY SMITH Due to in attendance, I am regretfully required to inform you that your position as senior account executive for Mobil petrol has ceased.
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18. INT. MIDDAY. KITCHEN Tony and Trudy face each other at the kitchen table. Tony pushes Trudy the written diagnosis across the table. Tony looking down avoids Trudy’s gaze TONY SMITH What looks like a small brown spot, like this ( pointing to a small brown spot on his inner arm) turns into a growth. I have sold the Lotus online and bought a small cabin. (pushing an address across the table) I don’t want you or Sadie to watch me grow into a monster. Trudy shocked, gasping for air for a few moments nods, Tony gets up from the table.
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19. INT. DAY. TRAIN Tony stares out of a train window, as it rattles and bumps. Arriving at a deserted train station, Tony carries a small suitcase up a cold dirt road, he reaches a small bone coloured cabin, sets his suitcase down on the landing, and unlocks the door.
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20. INT. AFTERNOON. CABIN Tony checks a telephone for dial tone, flicks the light switches on and off. Exhausted, Tony lies on the unmade bed and falls asleep.
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21. INT. MORNING. CABIN A ringing telephone is answered TRUDY SMITH Tony, It’s me Trudy, I’ve got some good news...Sadie is not affected and will not contract NF1. TONY SMITH That’s great news TRUDY SMITH I miss you Tony, I want to come and see you, I don’t want you to go through this alone...(sniffling) TONY SMITH (quietly) I’m too unwell Trudy, I’m sorry. Hanging up the telephone, and walking over to a mirror hanging on the wall, Tony stares into his reflection. One eye is largely obscured, with a large shiny lump on his forehead. sitting on the bed, Tony puts his head in his hands, one badly misshapen and begins to sob.
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22. EXT. DAY. TRAIN Sadie clutches the doll given to her by her father. Trudy sits beside her . The train halts and Trudy and Sadie step off, walking down the dirt road
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23. INT. MORNING. CABIN The morning light within the cabin is cold, picking up a box, sticky tape and wrapping paper in his hands, Tony begins to wrap the box, when his hand tangles in the sticky tape. Ripping off this sticky tape and laying out a piece of paper,Tony holds one side down with his hand. Cutting along the paper he snips his hand and it starts bleeding.Further attempts frustrate Tony and he throws the box. Tony picks up the box and scissors and stabs two holes in the front placing it over his head and sits in a rocking chair in the back of the room .There is a knock at the door and Tony flinches startled by the sudden sound. TONY SMITH (muffled)The door is open Trudy and Sadie step through the door, Tony concealing one hand behind a throw rug, holds a small bear in the other. TRUDY SMITH Hello Tony (turning to look at Sadie) Sadie this is Daddy from the photographs at home, remember how you told me you were going to give him a big hug and a kiss. Sadie nods, and shyly walks towards Tony, stopping about a foot away from him. TONY SMITH (holds out teddy bear) Hi Sadie, I bought this bear for you, his name is Monte Taking the bear, Sadie hugs it and Tony moves back to sit in the rocking chair exhausted from standing. Trudy uncomfortably sits on a metal chair in the kitchen area. Sadie approaches her mother, pulling on her sleeve. SADIE SMITH (quietly) Mummy, take my photo with him (pointing to Tony) TRUDY SMITH (uncomfortably)Good idea Sadie, but we will have to leave afterward, we don’t want to miss the train home. Sadie rushes to the rocking chair where Tony is rocking climbs onto his lap. Stiffly Trudy points a camera at the rocking chair.
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TRUDY SMITH Say cheese SADIE SMITH Cheese! TRUDY SMITH (quickly)We better start back for the train now, Sadie before it gets too cold. Climbing off Tony’s lap and walking to the front door to join her mother, reaching out for her hand and holding her new teddy bear Monte in the other. Trudy and Sadie stand by the open door. TRUDY SMITH I will call you when we get home Trudy reaches over and touches Tony who slowly joins them on the shoulder. TRUDY SMITH It was good to see you Tony! Trudy and Sadie walk down the pathway onto the crunchy dirt road toward the train station. Standing at the door, Tony waves as Sadie looks back. 24
24. INT. LATE AFTERNOON. CABIN A telephone rings TONY SMITH Hello TRUDY SMITH (O/S) Tony, it’s Trudy, how are you? Tony Smith doesn’t respond TRUDY SMITH (O/S) Tony I’m calling to tell you that I have started to see someone else, do you remember Alan Hodges, we went to high school with him? Tony is still silent TRUDY SMITH (O/S) Tony, considering all things, I think it is time that we start thinking of a divorce
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Tony hangs up the phone. Sitting himself back down in his rocking chair, Tony looks across to the kitchen table where the doll that he bought for Sadie long ago was left...
