The Age of Strange Script

ext - house - MORNING

O.S a crow lurks, squawking ominously.

An old green, timber house, stands alone against the grey sky. Wispy trees tower above it. Vines twist round its frame.

NARRATOR (V.O)

On May 1st every year, all over England, a secret society celebrate the annual event: The Walpurgis Night Dance.

In one of the tallest windows a figure can be seen, dark and mysterious. It disappears.

Int - corridor - morning

A misty, dim, interior, lit by candles and dusty lamps. The walls are filled with paintings, plants wilt in the corner.

A long corridor; unoccupied eerie rooms running along either side. A black unknown figure can be seen at the top of the stairs.

A door slams; seemingly of its own accord.

The figure disappears.

INT - kitchen - morning

The air is misty, pots boil and bubble on the stove.

Small clear bottles clutter the shelves, tied up and labelled, the contents unknown.

Unappealing, rotting food is splayed out on the long wooden table.

NARRATOR (V.O)

After passing extensive witch hunter tests a documentary crew have been agreed access to a small group of this society; The Wix's.

A black figure can be seen in the window opposite. Holding something suspicious.

INT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

A dark figure stands with it's back to the camera. As it turns around its revealed it's holding a party popper. He pops it, scaring himself.

This is ALATAR WIX: he stands awkwardly waving to the camera.

ALATAR

Hi there

Dressed in black, his pale, green tinged face sticking out of his high rising frilly collar. Small clear spectacles droop down his nose.

O.S a balloon squeaks; deflating.

BAVMORDA is in the corner, waving to the crew, joining her father. A modern day Goth and a geek at heart. This is BAVMORDA.

BAVMORDA

Hi

SUBTITLE: ALATAR WIX 631 years old / BAVMORDA WIX 116 years old

INT - LIVING ROOM - MORNING

The living room is covered with party decor.

Alatar and Bav pin the corners of a banner to the top of the wall. The banner hangs wonky - it reads 'Walpurgis Night Party' As Bav pins her corner its revealed the word 'Dance' has been crossed out.

BAVMORDA

Dad, did you do that? Mum made this years ago and you've ruined it. I know you haven't danced but that doesn't mean the rest of us don't!

Alatar's face drops, as though he thought Bav wouldn't notice.

INT - dining room - MORNING

BAVMORDA (V.O)

Dad refers to himself as a 14th century sorcerer. I would refer to him as... different.

Alatar stands in front of a large painting. His cauldron bubbles on the table in front. He holds his broom stick, modelling next to it.

INT - bedroom - MORNING

BAVMORDA (V.O)

He's not been the same since mum le- hasn't been around.

Alatar is watching a video of an old Walpurgis Night Dance. Him and Glinda (ex-wife) dance together. He clutches an old photo album. He's crying. When he notices the camera is watching, he jumps up and closes the door.

INT - LIBRARY - MORNING

BAVMORDA (V.O)

This will be the first Walpurgis we've celebrated since then. Dad doesn't talk much about what happened. He set up his neighbourhood witch group soon after.

Alatar stands in front of his neighbourhood witch group, next to a large drawing of a human - its face is scribbled out, a red cross through its body. He places a doll into a bubbling cauldron. It smokes.

Int - front door - morning

BAVMORDA (V.O)

He's become convinced that all humans are witch hunters and are going to slay us.

A paper boy approaches the house. Alt has his wand ready, he guards the house terrified. The boy posts a paper through the letter box. Alatar grabs it and wipes his brow.

ALATAR

Phew, that was a close one...

INT - dining room - MORNING

ALATAR (v.o)

Bav and I have always got on, we've become quite close in recent years. She's a lovely child, very well mannered and kind.

Bav and Alt set the table. Alt places down a dish with a raw steak on it. Bav moves it to a different position. Alt pushes it back. This continues.

They both pick up the dish, it moves back and forth between them. They argue. The steak goes flying.

int - bedroom - morning

BAVMORDA(V.O)

It was Dad that taught me the Walpurgis Night Dance.. but that was years ago.

Bav watches an old VHS tape of her Dad dancing from years ago. She dances with her broomstick, attempting to copy him.

INT - LIving room - MORNING

BAVMORDA(V.O)

These days its hard to get him to dance at all.

Alt is sat down in his chair reading. Bav dances around him. He pretends he hasn't seen her.

INT - study - MORNING

Bav dances over to Alt pulling him up to join in. He spills his tea and walks out.

INT - KITCHEN - MORNING

ALATAR (V.O)

I've had to take on some extra roles around the house in the recent years.

Alt sets down a dish of maggots in front of Bav for her school lunch. She looks disgusted. He turns his back and she gets up and runs out.

INT - FRONT DOOR - MORNING

Bav can be seen running up the porch into the distance.

INT - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

O.S The sound of a cat meowing

A small brown clock reads 3pm on the side.

Alatar is tidying. He sweeps some dust under the carpet with a broom.

ALATAR(V.O)

Not long now and this place will be crammed. You wouldn't believe the mess this place got in last yea... well the last time we celebrated.

O.S The front gate squeaks open

Alatar halts, walks over to the window and peers out; paranoid.

Alatar is speechless, embarrassment and anger ensues from what he's just seen.

Camera attempts to look at what is outside - blocked off and pushed out of the way by Alatar.

ALATAR

Oh god, no, no, move, switch that off

Camera follows alt to the front door

INT - FRONT DOOR - AFTERNOON

Bav has arrived home. Altercation between Bav and Alatar erupts as she attempts to enter the house with unknown object in toe.

ALATAR

What on earth are you doing Bav? Bav no, get out, you're not bringing that in here.

Alt gets greener with every word. Turning to the camera, trying to shut it off.

BAVMORDA

Dad, get out of the way, let go. I'm 116 years old! Don't fly off the broom handle, they are not dangerous, you've got to stop being like this.

The struggle continues. Both Bav and Alt look to the camera for assistance. Alt tries desperately to keep the door shut.

ALATAR

That's exactly what your mother said! Our first Walpurgis in years Bav, I'm not having that in my house and that's final!

INt - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Bav sits, smiling, pleased with herself, she looks to Alatar.

Alt looks on terrified, he looks away out of fear, he retreats - holding his hand over his mouth.

BRIAN is sat nervously upright on the sofa. A good looking boy with an athletic build. He looks around confused and quiet. Waves to the camera

BRIAN

Hi

SUBTITLE: BRIAN BROWN 16 YEARS OLD

Interview with Brian - improv sparked by camera crews questions

How did you and Bav meet? What do you like about Bav? What are you doing here? What do you think of her dad?

INT - ThE KITCHEn - AFTERNOON

Camera peers through kitchen door

ALATAR

Have you told him? Does he know?

Bav looks around anxiously trying to avoid the question.

BAVMORDA

Know what?

ALATAR

Know what? What do you mean know what? That we are witches?

BAVMORDA

Well no, I haven't told him yet... do you really think he'd be here if I had!

ALATAr

This is exactly why we set up the neighbourhood witch group in the first place! He could be a witch hunter here to slay us. Just like last time.

BAVMORDA

Dad, they don't even exist anymore. You know mum wasn't taken, she willingly left with that human after you lost the dance off! (exits)

Alt shakes his head, he uncomfortably shuffles around the room.

INT - LIVING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Brian; snoops around the living room. He picks up a statue and turns to the camera confused.

INT - DINING ROOM - AFTERNOON

Brian peers at some mysteriously filled bottles picking them up, shaking them.

INT - dining room - AFTERNOON

Brian and Bav are sat at the dining table. They make small talk. Alt sits at the opposite end.

Bav tucks into some unsavoury looking food. Brian looks on; horrified, leaving his untouched.

Alt turns to the camera covering his face with a book.

ALATAR

So far Brian is showing no signs of leaving. (he peers over the top of the book) Despite the looks I've been throwing him.

Brian is oblivious to Alatar.

alatar (cont'd)

I'm slowly just wearing him down... (he peers over the top of the book)

BAVMORDA

(to Brian) You should try some, it's really nice! (pushes the plate towards him)

BRIAN

Oh, erm yeah sure, okay

Brian gulps down the food best he can without being sick.

He grabs a water bottle from his rucksack. Bav looks on; horrified.

Alt jumps up as Brian is drinking, he dramatically grabs the water bottle from Brian's hands and nervously pours it down the sink.

Alt then notices a packet of jellied worms next to Brian.

ALATAR

Are those yours?

BRIAN

Yeah do you want some?

ALATAR

Are they real?

BRIAN

Real? Erm well yeah

Alatar's eyes light up. He takes a bite of the worm and chews ominously.

BRIAN

Real jelly...

Alatar places the rest of the worms in his jacket pocket.

INT - LIVING ROOM - evening

O.S the sound of a bat flying off

A clock face reads 7pm

Music plays softly from an old stereo on the side. The room is lit with candles and fairy lights which flash randomly. The banner hangs - wonky. The food untouched.

Bav dances passionately with her broomstick.

Alt and Brian watch on sitting at opposite ends of the sofa. Alt clasps his wand tightly.

Brian has a sudden moment of realisation. As he spots Alatar's wand, soon the cauldron and broomstick make sense.

BRIAN

Wait a minute... are you witches? You're witches aren't you!

ALATAR

How dare you address us that way. Blasphemy... I knew it. A witch hunter all along!

Bav shakes her head. Alt begins to try to forcible remove Brian, he gets greener by the second.

BAVMORDA

(pushing Alt off Brian, protecting him) Brian, the thing is; its illegal in our coven to call a witch a witch.

BRIAN

What? But you just said it

BAVMORDA

Only witches can say it! Stupid rule I know but you can't just call a witch a witch

BRIAN

Wait, you can or you can't? Which is it?

Alt lunges for Brian - Alt very green at this point. Bav slaps forehead, shaking her head in hands.

BRIAN

What? I said which!

ALATAR

Which witch?

BRIAN

Which! I said which!

They all stand sheepishly.

EXT - HOUSE - EVENING

ALATAR

Hello, hi, it's me Alatar, we've got a mass situation over here. A witch hunter in the flesh in my house, on the night of the Walpurgis, I mean talk about audacity.(peers through window)

INT - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

ALATAR(V.O)

He's even doing their native hypnotic dance as we speak!

The music has now changed; Brian starts to perform some modern dance moves. Bav; tries to copy.

EXT - HOUSE - EVENING

Alt watches on. He tucks into the jelly worms - enjoying them.

INT - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Brian continues to dance, becoming more confident by the second. Bav can't seem to get the hang of it.

EXT - HOUSE - evening

Alt's foot begins to tap to the beat. Then his fingertips. Soon his limbs follow. His head nods. It seems uncontrollable. His body is flailing, awkward and stiff.

INT - LIVING ROOM - evening

Brian has now lost all inhibitions, turning the music up louder. Bav sits down, clapping him on.

EXT - HOUSE - evening

Alt attempts to copy Brian's movements, they are unfamiliar to his body.

INT - LIVING ROOM - EVENING

Alt slips into the back of the room. His face lighting up. He is free, his body and limbs move all over the place.

BAVMORDA

Dad... you're dancing!

ALATAR

Ha ha, fantastic isn't it Bav

Bav looks on shocked that her dad is dancing. Brian is confused but goes along with it.

ALATAR

(talking to camera)

You know, I've always liked Brian, I think he's brought something new to the party this year, the dancing, the conversation, the food (he holds up the worms) its fabulous. He can come again (nervously laughs) Him and Bav suit I reckon.

Bav shakes her head at this blatant lie

O.S The sound of the doorbell rings

ALATAR

Ah brilliant, guests are here, come on Brian I'll introduce you (the two exit)

Bav sits in the corner alone

BAVMORDA

Wait what?

O.S The sound of guests arriving and being greeted

END