(A Symptom of the Claustrophobic Mind)
A Screenplay
by
Liam Whetstone
(Draft-8A)
Registered
A Symptom of the Claustrophobic Mind
© 2010 Liam Whetstone
07870885807
“A Symptom of the Claustrophobic Mind”
FADE IN: (Poem, A Symptom of the Claustrophobic Mind
First half before opening titles)
(I cant, I should, I am no good bad pointless selfish me I am to blame A glistening shining silver peace A promise of release from claustrophobic numbness, The sympathetic loving blade kisses the surface of the skin Crimson weeps from the surface of the skin, Releasing the pain of guilt, despair and self disgust, Then the blade gains confidenceAnd arrogance)
Music- Disorder by Joy Division
EXT:
Ian walks home from university through the park. He looks miserable, his thoughts are elsewhere. He is disappointed with a mark he has received for a university essay. (He looks at a feedback sheet with the word FAIL on it)
CUT TO:
Ian enters his room takes his mobile phone out of his pocket.
IAN
What time do you want me in at work today?
He puts the phone down sighs then silently drops his head down. Then picks up a book and attempts to read it but throws it down, then sits on his bed and folds his arms.
IAN
(V/0)
Well that’s another failure, fuck sake, I have wasted my life. I have fucked up my future. shit I have probably failed all my work as well
Shit, shit, shit,
Pauses and looks up at the ceiling
(OS)
Fucking Hell (Almost a whisper)
Takes a photo of his dog out of his pocket and looks at it, sighs bows his head in despair and exasperation.
He then picks up a razor blade from his bedside table roles up his sleeve and cuts his arm.
FADE OUT:
FADE IN:
INT: Care Therapists consultation room
The Care Therapist sits on a chair in front of a bookcase , Ian sits opposite on a sofa.
CARE THERAPIST
(Looks at a letter), you’re doctor referred you to me because he was concerned about you cutting yourself.
(Sympathetically)
OK Ian this is just an initial assessment to enable me to
Find out the best way of helping you to help yourself.
Would you like to tell me about it?
IAN
(Silent puts head down and sighs)
CARE THERAPIST
Take your time, just relax
IAN
(Slow response)
Well I have not being doing that well recently
I mean it’s probably a number of things I don’t really. I am ashamed of what I did to myself.
CARE THERAPIST
If you would like to tell me about it I could help you
IAN
(Silently looks up at the Therapist then speaks)
Well I just feel as though I am a failure everything I try turns out wrong. It was sort of a build up several things really
CARE THERAPIST
I see, go on
IAN
My dog has had to be put down recently and I have just been sacked from my job and I’ve been getting bad university grades
CARE THERAPIST
Yes go on (showing concern)
IAN
My dog has been my closest companion for a long time. I was really upset when I had to have him put down.
It just felt right when I cut myself, but it just made me feel worse.
CARE THERAPIST
Ok (showing concern)
Yes it can be very upsetting for you when a dog or someone you have been attached to for many years is isn’t around anymore. It’s very understandable for you to be upset.
IAN
(Nods in silent thought as he thinks of his dog)
CARE THERAPIST
You said you have lost your job would you like to talk about it. Its ok if you don’t want to.
IAN
(Nods pauses in thought as he considers his response)
(Puts his head down)
CARE THERAPIST
I see would you like to talk about how it made you feel?
IAN
(Silent looks down at the floor)
CARE THERAPIST
Ok,you mentioned you’re university grades would you like to talk about that.
IAN
(Nods)
Well for the past two years I have been getting good grades, I am in my third year now studying politics and History, my last grade was not as high as I hoped it would be.
(CARE THERAPIST) Dr.
I see how did that made you feel
IAN
(Silent before response)
Well it was an essay I should have really done well on
So it made me feel useless
CARE THERAPIST
Yes I see Hmm hmmm (showing sympathetic concern)
I see, but you didn’t fail did you, have you received all your grades or just that one?
IAN
(Hesitates before responding)
No I didn’t fail I have past every assignment
(He lies to the Therapist)
But my last one was very low I am waiting for the rest of my 3rd year results to come through the post.
CARE THERAPIST
You might get some good news in the post.
That low grade might just be a blip.
IAN
(Nods)
CARE THERAPIST
Are you sure you don’t want to talk about loosing you’re
Job, you don’t have to I am just giving you the opportunity.
IAN
(Nods)
CARE THERAPIST
Ok we could talk about that next week if you want.
Has discussing you’re dog and you’re grades made you feel better
IAN
(Nods)
CARE THERAPIST
I understand that you are very upset at the moment. After loosing you’re dog and you’re job. It can be very distressing trying to cope with things like this.
IAN
(Nods)
CARE THERAPIST
In his referral letter (looks at letter)
You’re doctor informed me that you
Have ambitions to be a writer having received praise from your tutors, that sounds good doesn’t it
IAN
(Nods and smiles)
CARE THERAPIST
I don’t think there will be many other student authors at you’re university
CARE THERAPIST
I have people referred to me on a regular basis for the same reason you were.
IAN
(Looks at the Therapist in acknowledgement)
CARE THERAPIST
I will see you next week to see how you are
Let me know if you get some good news in the post.
IAN
(Nods in acknowledgement)
See you next week
Ian then leaves the office slightly reassured and shuts the door leans against the wall and sighs. Unrolls his sleeve and looks at his wounds Sighs and roles his sleeve back up.
INT:
Ian’s bedroom: picks up his razors looks at them
Unrolls his sleeve again and looks at the scars. Puts the razors back down. Then roles his sleeve back down,
then sits on his bed.
Takes photo of his dog out of his pocket, looks at it then puts it back in his pocket. Looks at his feedback sheet again, puts it down then sits in deep conflicted silent thought
He hears the postman leave some post then goes down stairs to open the envelope reads the letter (his complete university results) shoves it in his pocket then, He then leaves the house and walks down the street in a relaxed and contented frame of mind.
MUSIC- Atmosphere/Shadowplay by Joy Division
THE END
END CREDITS
(Poem, A Symptom of the Claustrophobic Mind
Second half After Credits have finished)
(The second time it visits the skin the surgery is more successful More skilful For a brief moment the mind is freed of its hurts evils and torments for a moment only because when it recognises the work of the blade the self disgust increases until the mind shuts down And despises the work of the blade)
Liam Whetstone 