Fatal (Pt 1.)

INT. ELIZABETH'S FRONT ROOM. Evening. 2012.

The night is dark. The streetlight is only dim. There is a knock at the front door of ELIZABETH's house, a narrow terrace property in the outskirts of London. ELIZABETH, 32, answers the door, slowly. She tries to smile for HARRY, 36, an old friend. The lights inside the house are brighter, but not any more welcoming.

HARRY
(Hugging)
Liz. It's good to see you again.

ELIZABETH
Yes.

HARRY
You've grown your hair.

ELIZABETH
Oh. Yes.

HARRY
(Lingering pause)
So, is he coming?

ELIZABETH
Yes. He'll be right out.

HARRY
It's quite cold tonight. Something in the air. Must be snow.

ELIZABETH
So I hear.

MARTIN, 35, appears along the hallway. He grabs his coat from inside the closet under the stairs, smiling faintly at Harry.

HARRY
Martin! How have you been?

MARTIN
(Glances at Elizabeth)
Excellent.

HARRY
Good. Good. Well, best be going. They're already waiting for us at the restaurant.

HARRY leads ELIZABETH and MARTIN down the path. MARTIN leaves the front door open.

HARRY
(Looking back)
Forgotten something?

MARTIN
I thought you were paying?

ELIZABETH
Martin. The door.

MARTIN
Oh. Right, right yes. I should...

He tries to find his keys, but after a moment of panic ELIZABETH walks back to him briskly.

ELIZABETH
(Smiling)
Go with Harry and wait in the car. Okay? I'll do it.

MARTIN
(Hesitantly)
But Elizabeth I should...

HARRY
Elizabeth?

ELIZABETH
Yes?

HARRY
Liz.

ELIZABETH stares at HARRY for a moment.

ELIZABETH
(Sudden smile and a laugh)
Oh, ignore him. He's had a glass already.

MARTIN
Okay.

ELIZABETH watches HARRY guide MARTIN to his large, black car on the far side of the road. She turns to lock the door. She pauses for a second, takes a deep breath, locks the door and turns back - smiling again as HARRY watches her climb into the car.

INT. davinchi's. Evening.

A crowded family restaurant. Ambient, welcoming light bathes the restaurant. Various Italian words are hanging on the walls. A couple, LEWIS, 31, and POPPY GARDER, 30, are sitting at a table set for five, chatting quietly. They are old school-friends of ELIZABETH.

LEWIS spots HARRY on the far side of the restaurant, talking to the host. LEWIS stands and beckons them over. MARTIN and ELIZABETH are following behind, timidly.

LEWIS
You finally made it.
(To HARRY)
She's already on her second glass.

POPPY
Lewis, darling, sit down.

LEWIS
See what I mean.

POPPY
Oh, Liz. It's wonderful to see you.

ELIZABETH
(Smiles faintly)
You too.

LEWIS
And you too, Martin.

MARTIN looks at them, a little confused.

HARRY
Martin?

ELIZABETH
You remember Lewis? Don't you. And Poppy. You've known them for years.
(To LEWIS and POPPY)
I'm sorry. He struggles remembering things sometimes. But we're dealing with it. Aren't we Martin?

MARTIN
Of course I remember you. It's just been a while, sorry.

POPPY
Oh, that's not a problem.

LEWIS
No worries Martin. It's good to see you about again.

HARRY
Well... Let's get some drinks in. I'm starved.

POPPY
Yes, splendid idea. I could use another.

ELIZABETH laughs gently.

LEWIS
Three. Before starters?

POPPY
I have a high tolerance.

LEWIS
For what?

POPPY
Wine.
(Quick glance at LEWIS)
And stupidity.

While LEWIS glares at POPPY over the top of the menu, ELIZABETH gently puts her hand on Harry's arm.

ELIZABETH
Thank you, Harry.

HARRY smiles and gives her a quick wink.

INT. DAVINCHI'S. Later that EVENING.

They continue the meal. MARTIN begins to loosen up a little. He begins chatting, and even starts laughing and smiling with the others. ELIZABETH still looks a little distant. The meals come. LEWIS and POPPY dominate the conversation. HARRY glances between ELIZABETH and MARTIN. They talk very little.

A child begins to cry on the far side of the restaurant. ELIZABETH looks over, longingly.

HARRY
Liz?

She turns back, takes a quick glance between both HARRY and MARTIN, then continues eating.

PIPPY
Oh for the love of England. He can't be much older than six, still a bloody nuisance. Who would ever want children?

LEWIS
(Taking her wine)
That's enough for you, honey.

PIPPY
Seriously. Liz. You've made the right choice.

ELIZABETH looks up, trying to smile, laughs gently and then nibbles at her food again.

At the end of the meal, their plates are cleared away. The waiter, JAMES, 19, brings over their bill.

HARRY
I'll get this.

He stands up to pay over by the till, on the far side of the restaurant. While MARTIN is talking to LEWIS, and POPPY is finishing off her seventh glass of wine, ELIZABETH moves over to HARRY. He has nearly finished paying.

ELIZABETH
Let me give you something.

HARRY
No. I said this was my treat. I knew you wouldn't be able to resist a good tagliatelle.

ELIZABETH
No. Thank you, again.

She moves away and back to the table.

JAMES
Thank you, sir. Have a good evening.

HARRY
(Stopping her)
Liz. Wait.

ELIZABETH
Yes?

HARRY
You stopped returning my calls.

Elizabeth
Please. I don't want to...

Harry
Liz. It's still night right, is it? You should have said something to me. Have you said something to anyone? Your sister?

ELIZABETH
I'm coping.

HARRY
Are you?

ELIZABETH
(Pause)
Thank you. For a lovely evening.

Ext. Elizabeth's House. Later.

The meal is over, and HARRY has driven ELIZABETH and MARTIN home.

MARTIN
Thank you, Harry. For coming.

HARRY
No problem.
(Glancing to ELIZABETH)
You know I'll always be here if you need me.

ELIZABETH
Do you want to come in?

MARTIN goes inside.

HARRY
No. I better get to the hotel. Early start tomorrow. I've got a few things to do here, before I head back home.

ELIZABETH
Oh.

HARRY
Be well. Liz. (Pause) Just stay strong. Things will get better. I know they will.

Slowly, ELIZABETH closes the door as Harry waves beside his car.

Int. Elizabeth's front room. Later that Night.

ELIZABETH is sitting in her front room, in the dark, on a musty sofa, re-watching her wedding video. It is worn and judders occasionally.

INT. WEDDING CHAPEL. DAY. 2005.

ELIZABETH is walking down the aisle with LEWIS, in place of her father. Her cheeks are red and she is gracefully smiling. She is quietly beautiful.

Int. Elizabeth's front room.

ELIZABETH fumbles with the remote to the VCR player and the video fast forwards for a few seconds.

Int. Wedding Chapel.

ELIZABETH and MARTIN are standing at the altar. She glances down to her sister, EMILY, 22, gently crying. The GARDERS are nearby. POPPY is crying on LEWIS' shoulder. The PRIEST begins talking.

Priest

We are gathered here today to bear witness to the marital union between Martin Baker and Elizabeth Reynolds...

ELIZABETH fast-forwards again.

PRIEST
...kiss the bride.

MARTIN moves forwards and brushes the hair from ELIZABETH's face and behind her ear. He smiles tenderly and whispers.

MARTIN
I'll always love you.

They kiss.

She fast-forwards again.

Int. Wedding Reception.

The room is filled with people. They are all staring at HARRY, standing beside Martin behind the table at the head of the room.

HARRY
...often that you see it. There was a time when Martin ran around to her flat just because she was lonely. She didn't know he had plans with another woman that night. What does it matter about her though? This is about you two...

Int. Elizabeth's front room.

ELIZABETH laughs through her sobs.

Int. Wedding Reception.

HARRY
You know, I've often wondered how long it will be before I find someone like Liz. And the more often I see you two together, the more I'm sure I never will.

The reception 'awws' and sighs.

No, no. Don't feel sorry for me. I'm not. But if I find anyone half as special, amazing, or beautiful as her, I'll count myself lucky. Martin. If she wants you to cook for her every night, do it. If she wants you sell your car to buy a bigger house, do it.

The reception crowd laughs.

If she wants you to kill everyone you know, do it. Do whatever it takes to keep her happy. And she'll do the same for you.

She fast-forwards again.

LEWIS
(Passing MARTIN a bottle of champagne)
Here you are then. First one of many.

POPPY
Oh darling, I'm so happy for you. He's a good one really.

MARTIN pops the bottle. The room cheers. HARRY chases after the cork, and gives it back to MARTIN. ELIZABETH is about to pour her own drink, when MARTIN swipes the bottle away from her.

MARTIN
That's my job, Liz.

POPPY
Told you so. A good one.

ELIZABETH smiles as he pours the drink. They clink their glasses. The room cheers.

She fast-forwards again.

Gentle jazz music plays. ELIZABETH and MARTIN are dancing amongst a group of other wedding guests. She is so happy.

Int. Elizabeth's front room. Night. 2012.

Unblinking, she stares at the TV and stops crying, but her eyes are still filled with tears. There is a long pause. She jumps at a noise from upstairs. She tries to dry her tears and hide the tissues. She quickly turns off the TV. The room is left in darkness. Footsteps echo down the stairs and a light is switched on.

MARTIN is standing in the doorway. He stares at her for a moment.

MARTIN
Why are you sitting in the dark?
(Long pause)
I'm thirsty.

ELIZABETH tries to smile. He says nothing else and goes through into the kitchen. She briefly goes to stand at the door and watches him, but soon turns away and heads upstairs.

Int. Elizabeth's bedroom.

Checking to see if he's coming, she quickly undresses and gets into bed. She listens to him coming up the stairs. She turns away to face outwards and away from the door. He sits on the edge of the bed, drinks and then gets under the covers. He faces outwards too, so they are back to back. A clock ticks quietly until ELIZABETH turns to face MARTIN. She tries to speak several times. Long pause. Their conversation is awkward and infrequent.

ELIZABETH
Martin?

MARTIN
Yes?

ELIZABETH
How long have we been married?
(Pause)
Martin.

MARTIN
I'm sorry I disturbed you before.
(Pause)
What were you doing?

ELIZABETH
Watching something on TV.

MARTIN
I was thirsty.

ELIZABETH
You should have said.

MARTIN
No.

ELIZABETH
Do you remember our wedding?
(Pause)
Do you remember the first time we danced?

MARTIN
I never asked if you were thirsty.
(Pause)
Do you want me to get you a drink?

ELIZABETH
No. I'm fine.
(Long pause)
Do you remember what you said to me?

MARTIN turns around on his back and faces her too.

MARTIN
When?

ELIZABETH
I'll always love you.

Long pause.

MARTIN
I'm tired.

MARTIN stares at her for a while, and then shuffles back around. ELIZABETH is close to tears again. He falls asleep. In the light, she can see a scar running along the back of his head. She goes to run her finger along it. MARTIN flinches but doesn't wake.

ELIZABETH
I'm sorry.