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Terminal Script Draft 5. Group 6 – 04.05.10

Act one: Scene 1

HOSPITAL’S TREATMENT ROOM. TWO O’CLOCK PM. THERE ARE TWO BEDS SET
WITH A CHAIR BY THE SIDE OF EACH BED. POSTERS ARE PLACED AROUND THE
ROOM AND A TABLE OF READING MATERIAL IS ON ONE SIDE OF THE ROOM.
THERE IS A STAND NEXT TO EACH BED. ONE HAS A DRIP HANGING FROM IT
AND THE OTHER HAS NOTHING. THERE IS HOSPITAL BACKGROUND NOISES THAT
CAN BE HEARD OUTSIDE THE ROOM. INPATIENT HOLLY, 18, A YOUNG GIRL IN
EYECATCHING CLOTHING IS LYING ON ONE BED WITH HER DIARY. BETWEEN THE
TWO BEDS ON THE WALL IS A SHADOWY FIGURE (ANOMALY) LURKING WHICH
RESEMBLES A SYMBOL OF DEATH. HOLLY HAS KNOWN OF ITS PRESENTS FOR
SOMETIME AND BEGINS TO WRITE IN HER DIARY. THE LIGHTS WILL JUST BE
ON HER.

HOLLY V/O: (Writing in diary) 8th May 2010. Dear Diary, This is
probably the twenty-eighth time I’ve lied on this bed having
treatment. I’m so used to it that my body doesn’t know any
different. I stay positive through it all because it helps me
believe that I’ll get through this all someday, but the reality is
that I’m stuck here. I do sometimes feel like giving up and think
maybe to stop having the treatment; it might make things easier. But
I keep smiling and staying positive. Even though I feel positive, I
still can’t stop thinking that maybe I might not be around for much
longer. It’s stupid isn’t it, thinking about dying. I kind of feel
like something has been waiting for me; coming for me.

VOICE OVER FADES OUT; INPATIENT CHARLIE, 16, INNOCENT LOOKING BOY
ENTERS INTO THE ROOM CARRYING A BAG. A NURSE FOLLOWS IN BEHIND HIM.
CHARLIE IS BICKERING WITH THE NURSE OVER TREATMENT. THE WHOLE ROOM
IS LIT.

CHARLIE: I’ve told you before I’m not doing it.

NURSE: I know Charlie. But understand it will only be a short

session today.

CHARLIE: I don’t care; I just really don’t want to have it.

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NURSE: Charlie, we’ve been through this before. I know it’s not
pleasant, but you know it will help you. I’m here to help you every
step of the way.

CHARLIE: I know but –

Holly interrupts into the conversation between Charlie and the

Nurse.

HOLLY: is everything ok?

NURSE: Yes Holly, everything fine.

CHARLIE: Well I’m not fine. I told her that I didn’t want to have
any treatment today.

HOLLY: (misunderstood) what’s going on?

NURSE: (Motherly) Listen Charlie, if you just give it some thought

for a while, and then I’ll come back and we’ll decide from there.
Would that be better if you had some time to think about it?

CHARLIE: I guess so.

NURSE: Ok, well I’ll be back soon and we’ll talk then. (To Holly)
How are you getting on holly? Is there anything I can get you?

HOLLY: I’m fine thank you. I think I’ll be ok.

The nurse gives holly a signal asking for help.

Exit Nurse.

Charlie and Holly are both in the room together. Charlie is not at
ease with what he’s been told to do.

HOLLY: Charlie. What... What’s up?

CHARLIE: Nothing.

HOLLY: Well, that kind of didn’t seem like nothing. You look
terrible at the moment.

CHARLIE: I’m sorry. I just can’t deal with this.

HOLLY: Charlie, please don’t be sorry. Look I know it’s hard -

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CHARLIE: Exactly! I just feel like I’m being forced into having the
treatment.

HOLLY: Charlie no-one is forcing you at all. They are just looking
out for you, just like I’m trying to do.

CHARLIE: I know, but sometimes I feel like I’m being trapped in

here. Like no-one wants to listen to me.

HOLLY: Well ok, I’ll listen to you. Tell me what’s up?

CHARLIE: Why do you care?

HOLLY: Because I’m your friend Charlie and I’m here to help you out.
You can talk to me you know.

CHARLIE: Yeah. Sorry Holly, I’m feeling a bit down at the moment.

HOLLY: come on Charlie its best if you try and stay positive.

CHARLIE: I don’t know how you do it. How you can get through it all
so easily?

HOLLY: It’s not easy Charlie. There are times where I do feel down
because of the pain or because I’m too tired to do things and.....

CHARLIE: So then why do you keep going with the treatment?

HOLLY: Because I have to; and because I know it will help.

CHARLIE: Recently I’ve just felt so sick and tired of it all that I
don’t see the point anymore.

(Pause)

Holly takes a moment to think about what to say.

HOLLY: You know Charlie; I’ve wanted to just walk out the door and
go live a normal life like I’m suppose too. Just yesterday I thought
about it. But in the end it’s not going to resolve anything... I
wish I could help you Charlie.

CHARLIE: Thanks... It’s just not fair is it?

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HOLLY: No, it’s not.... Is that the reason why you won’t have your
treatment?

CHARLIE: kind of.

(Pause)

(Nervously) I’m scared Holly.... I’m afraid of the pain...I’m scared

of what might happen.

HOLLY: (Comforting) Charlie it’s ok to be afraid. It’s fine.......

CHARLIE: I just don’t want to feel this way though.

HOLLY: Well like the nurse said, she wants to help you and I’m here
to help you too.

Charlie cautiously asks Holly a question sitting on the end of her

bed.

CHARLIE: Holly, are you.....are you scared of dying?

Holly starts to cry

Charlie: Holly? whats up?

Holly: its just.....6 months,

Charlie: 6 months what?

Holly: i had a meeting with the doctors yesterday; they told me i

have only got 6 months left for sure. The treatment isn’t working
anymore.

Long pause

Charlie: holly I’m, I’m sorry.

Holly: but you know what? I am going to live these 6 months like I
only have a day. There is so much I want to do and I’m gonna do it.

Charlie: how though?

Holly: Two years ago my mum died of cancer; she refused to give up
and fought every day to get better. But her treatment didn’t work.
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When she died she left me some money.... I’m going to use that. I’m
going to leave tomorrow Charlie.

Charlie: oh.

Holly: it’s ok though, I will write to you.

Charlie: Yeah, that would be good.

The anomaly at this point has moved closer towards Charlie’s bed.
This signifies that death is approaching Charlie.

HOLLY: Have you spoke to anyone else about how you feel?

CHARLIE: No.

HOLLY: maybe you should?

CHARLIE: I’ll sound stupid won’t I?

HOLLY: No you won’t. It’s just something that been on your mind. I
get it.

CHARLIE: exactly.

HOLLY: It’s not like every day you wake up in a hospital. It’s worth
it though, just that chance it could get better?

CHARLIE: yeah, maybe?

Charlie is on his bed. The anomaly is now where Charlie’s bed is.
Charlie begins to feel different.

CHARLIE: Do you feel cold at all?

HOLLY: Not really, no. What’s up?

CHARLIE: Just started to feel really cold all of a sudden.

HOLLY: I think the windows are closed. Do you want me to get the
nurse for you?

CHARLIE: No that’s ok. I’ll be fine.

HOLLY: Are you sure you’re ok?

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CHARLIE: I think so.

HOLLY: Try to keep yourself warm.

Charlie gets into the sheets and Holly indicates his blanket.

HOLLY: How’s that? Any better.

CHARLIE: Sort of. Strange, I’ve never felt like this before.

HOLLY: How do you feel?

CHARLIE: knackered.

HOLLY: maybe you should get a little bit of sleep.

CHARLIE: Yeah. I guess that will make me feel better.

HOLLY: I’ll wake you if anything happens ok.

CHARLIE: ok.

Charlie is lying in bed, closing his eyes to go to sleep. The lights

fade down over Charlie. The anomaly is still around Charlie’s bed.
Holly leaves Charlie to sleep but also notices the anomaly around
Charlie’s bed. The lights change to have Holly and the anomaly in
the setting. Holly stands up out of bed and begins to speak to
Anomaly. The Anomaly does not ever speak.

HOLLY: (to anomaly) are you here, for me? Why do you lurk around
him? Surely you are here for me aren’t you.... that’s what I
thought..... Why are you here? i still have six months.

Holly comes to realise that the anomaly isn’t here for her, it’s
here for Charlie.

I’m the one you need, not him..... What has he done....? I’m the one
you need..... You don’t understand –

Holly’s words are stopped when she understands the reason of the
anomaly’s present.

Wait, take me, I’m ready now, I’m the one who has 6 months, but I’m
ready now? Take him later; give him my 6 months...please?
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The anomaly fades into the background between the two beds. The
lights fade up to show Charlie on his bed. He awakes from a short
sleep. He notices Holly sat quietly on her bed, thinking.

CHARLIE: Hey, are you ok?

Holly doesn’t respond.

CHARLIE: Holly?

HOLLY: What? Yeah, sorry, I’m fine. How do you feel now?

CHARLIE: Ok, I guess; less cold then before.

HOLLY: That’s good to know.

The nurse enters to check up on Charlie and Holly.

NURSE: How are you both? Are you feeling ok?

HOLLY: (Feeling Cold) Fine. Yeah.

NURSE: How about you Charlie. Have you given any thought about the
treatment session?

CHARLIE: I don’t think I’m ready to start again.

NURSE: Are you sure Charlie? We want to do what’s best for you;
what’s going to help you get better.

CHARLIE: I said I didn’t what too. Why are you trying to make me?

NURSE: Charlie, I’m not making you. I’m just trying to help, the
same way I would do for any patient here.

CHARLIE: Well I don’t.... I don’t want too, I don’t know, I need

more time.

NURSE: Ok. Well maybe we’ll begin your treatment again tomorrow if
you feel up to it. (To Holly) If you need anything Holly, just ask
or ring for assistants ok. I won’t be long.

Exit Nurse.
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Holly looks over to Charlie who is sat with his back to Holly. Holly
thinks about what to say to Charlie in remembrance of her encounter
with the anomaly.

HOLLY: Charlie, look at me. Why won’t you let them help you? That’s
all they’re trying to do.

CHARLIE: I don’t what them to help.

HOLLY: But why?

CHARLIE: I don’t know.... I shouldn’t be here.

HOLLY: What do you mean?

CHARLIE: I mean I should be out of here doing stuff I want to do.

HOLLY: And that’s what?

CHARLIE: Well get job, go see the world. I don’t know something.

HOLLY: You can still do that Charlie. It’s still possible.

CHARLIE: How? If I have to stay in here wishing to get better; when

am I going to have the time to do those things.

HOLLY: You will Charlie; if you take the treatment. It’s just going
to take some time that’s all.

CHARLIE: I don’t have time. Just sitting here I’m wasting my time.

Charlie is frustrated, goes to get up and picks up his bag. He gets

ready to leave. Holly stops him just before leaving. The anomaly
moves from charlie’s bed to holly’s

Holly: It’s worth taking the chance Charlie.

Charlie: what do you mean?

HOLLY: (Determined) What do you think is right for you?

Charlie: I don’t know.... I just don’t know.

Holly: well I know that you are scared to take your treatment? Well
let me tell you, if you don’t take it you are going to die; it’s as
simple as that. I have been given six months Charlie, even though I
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have been taking my treatment, it just didn’t work the way it

should. But you have to give it a chance; you have a chance for
something different. You have a chance to carry on living. And you
are throwing it away. Don’t you want to live, do all that stuff you
said? Just snap out of it Charlie and stop being selfish.

Charlie pauses for a moment to realise what has been said to him.

CHARLIE: I know that I’ve been acting selfish.

HOLLY: ok, so what about the treatment?

CHARLIE: (decided) maybe tomorrow I could start again... You’re

right. I’ve been such an idiot; I need to do this for myself.

HOLLY: Good. I’m glad Charlie.

CHARLIE: I’m sorry for putting you through so much. You are a really
good friend.

HOLLY: You didn’t mean it; I’m just happy for you.

CHARLIE: You really have helped me Holly.

Holly and Charlie hug.

CHARLIE: Right, I’m going to go and tell them that I will start my
treatment again. I’ll go find the nurse and tell her.

Exit Charlie. Holly is now left alone. She gets out her diary and
begins to write again. Suddenly the Anomaly appears again, its
present is noticed by Holly. Holly realises that she has done what
she had to do to help Charlie. This time the Anomaly has come to
help her.

HOLLY: He’s doing it....I helped him....I hope he’ll be ok....

you’re here for me now, aren’t you..... I thought so.... let me just
do one thing before we go.

Holly picks up her diary and takes out a letter which she had
written before. She writes the date on it and places it on Charlie’s
bed. She takes a glance back around the room to the life she had and
knew. Taking one last look at Charlie’s bed, she walks slowly and
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content through the centre of the audience. The anomaly has

disappeared for good and Holly has gone. Exit Holly.

Charlie happily walks in to the room to find Holly isn’t there. He

sees her letter on his bed. He looks over to her bed.

CHARLIE: Holly.....?

Charlie picks up the note.

Holly.....

The lights fade to signify that the end of the scene and the death
of Holly.

Act Two: Scene One

THREE DAYS HAVE PASSED AND CHARLIE IS ABOUT TO START HIS TREATMENT
AGAIN. IT’S BEEN THREE DAYS THAT CHARLIE HASN’T SEEN HOLLY. CHARLIE
OPENS THE LETTER AND BEGINS TO READ IT.

HOLLY V/O: 11th May 2010. Dear Charlie, I’ve written this letter to
you as a sign of my leaving. As sudden as our time together may have
been, it also happened to be my time to pass. But don’t let this
weaken your spirits. You are an incredible person and you have made
me so happy having known someone like you. You are brave, hopeful
and unbelievably strong hearted. So please don’t be afraid of what’s
yet to come because I know you’ll make the right decisions. You can
overcome anything Charlie, as long as you believe in yourself; you
can do the things you’ve always wanted. You deserve to be happy, and
so while I’m not around, know that you are making a big change to
your life. I had my time Charlie and I’m so happy I got to spend it
with you. Keep hold of this letter Charlie, to remind you of our
time together; And to remind you of yourself.

All my love Holly x

Charlie smiles with emotion as he puts the letter to the side of the
table. The nurse enters into the room.

NURSE: Are we ready to start?

CHARLIE: Definitely!
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The nurse pulls the curtain along closing the room and ending the
scene. Lights down.