BURN

Screenplay By
Joe Parker

JOE PARKER 2014

[email protected]

EXT. MORNING - GARDEN

POV. OLIVER GRANT is performing to a crowd of children.
Their glum and unsatisfied faces look back at him. Some are
paying no attention at all, including one child playing on
his Nintendo DS. It is a sunny day with the children seated
on the grass while some parents stand at the back. Two
children play football behind. There are Happy Birthday
banners and balloons around the garden.
Oliver is holding a playing card. There is a small sound of
clapping in the background. Oliver is dressed in a classical
magicians outfit that looks worn. He is in his 60s,
slender and grey, although he is wearing a hat. Oliver
smiles meekly after the weak applause and waits for it to
end.
He starts putting an assortment of items into a trunk, all
magic themed. He is approached by PENNY, who gives him a
hug.
PENNY
Thanks Dad, you were brilliant. The
kids loved it.
(She is smiling and quite
convincing)
Oliver is pensive, pondering his performance.
OLIVER
Anytime sweetheart.
He slams shut the trunk with a thud.
The Title BURN appears, white on black, with the sound of
flickering flames in the background.
CUT TO
INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
JEAN GRANT is on the phone, standing in her kitchen. She
looks slightly younger than Oliver but is greying. There are
an assortment of boxes labeled KITCHEN in red. Jean is
adding some kitchen utensils to them.
JEAN
Well of course it wasnt going to
go well...
(Pause)
I know you were only trying to help
but you know what your fathers
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

2.

JEAN (contd)
like Penny. He gets his hopes up,
this was never a good idea.
There is a noise in the background of a door opening and
closing.
JEAN
...I have to go, Im really sorry
work needed me. Send my love to
everyone. Bye.
Oliver opens the door. We see the kitchen only has a few
bare essentials. Jean walks over to Oliver where they share
a hug and a kiss.
JEAN
Im sorry dear.
OLIVER
(Taking off his hat)
I should have tried something more
exciting. Kids that age...
JEAN
(Interrupting)
Oliver, you cant keep doing this
to yourself. It only ends in
disappointment.
(Jean says this
sympathetically but firmly)
CUT TO
INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Footsteps can be heard, there is only darkness. There is the
sound of a door opening and we see Oliver. He throws his
trunk into the unidentified room and closes the door again.
CUT TO
INT. EVENING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Oliver is sitting at the dinner table, frantically writing
in his notebook. Jean is serving up dinner. She places down
the food cautiously. She then places hers down and sits
opposite him. Oliver peers over his reading glasses at her.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

3.

OLIVER
Thank you dear.
Jean takes a mouthful of food and looks at her husband
hesitantly. She finally speaks.
JEAN
What are you doing?
Oliver doesnt hear her, busy scribbling away with his pen.
Jean speaks again, this time louder, more frantic.
JEAN
Oliver, I asked, what are you
doing?
Oliver replies without looking up.
OLIVER
I need to improve my performance. I
need to focus on a more traditional
audience, that was the problem.
Bring back the classic tricks.
Jean slams her fists onto the table. Oliver looks up and
stops writing, startled.
JEAN
For heavens sake, look around you.
The rest of the kitchen is in view, there are removal boxes
scattered around the room while a big white sheet covers a
snooker table.
JEAN
Open your eyes Oliver. Im sick
these delusions of grandeur, of
being a bloody magician. Those days
are long gone. You are selfish.
Oliver stands up, reacting angrily to Jeans outburst.
OLIVER
Dont you think that I want to fix
things? You dont understand. I
feel worthless but I wont just
give up. I want to be successful
again. For you. Us.
Jean gets visibly angrier, in disbelief of Olivers
stubbornness.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

JEAN
For us? Me? Rubbish. Youre
neglecting your family, you care
more about bloody magic than us.
Ive had to put up with a hell of a
lot and I dont know how much more
I can take. What do you care about
the most?
Jean is upset but fights back tears. Oliver is offended at
Jeans question, frustrated.
OLIVER
How dare you ask me that? How can
you question that? I love you more
than anything. You cant understand
because not everyone can give up on
their passions like you did.
Oliver storms off as Jean slumps back into her chair. She is
trying to keep herself together. She is breathing heavily.
Jean mutters to herself.
JEAN
Ill show you passion! Ill show
you passion.
Jean throws Olivers book across the room. She is slightly
trembling to herself, shaken. Jean shouts towards the door.
JEAN
Ill be gone by tomorrow, I swear
it!
Jean buries her head in her hands.
CUT TO
INT. MORNING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Oliver and Jean cuddled up together, on a sofa in the
lounge. They are wearing the same clothes as the previous
day, looking disheveled. There is a breakfast tray on the
side. It consists of a half uneaten slice of jam toast;
cereal bowl, honey pot, milk jug, cup and saucer. Jean
snuggles up against Oliver.
JEAN
You know how much I love you?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

5.

OLIVER
Of course I do, made me the
happiest man for years.
Jean stirs slightly but they are still embracing.
JEAN
I dont want to nag but, why cant
you let it go?
OLIVER
When we were kids, we would play
for hours with my Granddads magic
set...
(Jean smiles)
OLIVER
Remember how nervous I was on our
first date? My legs wouldnt stop
shaking. You came back to mine and
you watched me perform all night.
Trick after trick.
Jean nearly chokes with laughter.
JEAN
Good heavens Oliver.
Oliver composes himself.
You were encapsulated by it. I
loved that. Magic has always been
important in our relationship.
Oliver is playing with Jeans hand when he touches her ring
finger. He pauses to ponder slightly.
OLIVER
I dont want the magic to end.
Jean smiles again at her husband.
JEAN
You can be so silly. No matter how
many tricks you perform, the magic
to me is our love. Surely that is
all we truly need? We arent
getting any younger. It can scare
me Oliver, how obsessed you get.
Oliver is about to reply when the phone rings. Jean answers
it.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

JEAN
Jesus Christ, Im late for work.
Get up Oliver.
Jean and Oliver scramble off the sofa.
CUT TO
INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Oliver is now changed. He is sitting back in the kitchen,
making notes into his book. He calls out to the other room.
OLIVER
Any luck dear? Or is it all junk
like I suggested? Why your mother
insisted on keeping hold of all
that tat..
Pennys voice calls out.
PENNY
Come in here Dad.
Oliver gets up and walks into the lounge, his book under his
arm. Penny is kneeling down on the floor with a box on the
table. It is an old magic set which is still in a good
condition.
PENNY
This brings back so many memories.
OLIVER
I had no idea we still had this.
Your mother must have kept it.
Oliver sits on the sofa next to Penny. The magic set is
still in its original box. Penny responds in a slightly
offended tone.
PENNY
What were you saying about old tat?
Oliver opens it and takes out certain pieces delicately,
studying them.
PENNY
My friends would be so jealous that
my father was a magician growing
up. They would pester me about
coming round and watching your
tricks.
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

Penny and Oliver are looking at each other.

PENNY
I loved that time we spent
together. Ill never forget those
moments.
OLIVER
Some great memories right here
darling.
Penny gives Oliver an embracing hug.
PENNY
I was so lucky to have such a great
Dad. Even if you would never reveal
the magicians secrets.
They both laugh. Oliver puts the lid back on the box.
PENNY
Have you told Mum about the show
yet? With all the arguing
recently...
OLIVER
Not yet, but I will, I promise. I
hope she will understand but Im
not sure. I still hope she will be
there.
PENNY
But are you sure it is a good idea?
OLIVER
Probably not...I cant back out
now. Im excited, I havent been
this excited for years. Its a
wonderful opportunity.
Penny holds Olivers hand.
PENNY
I know Dad. Im excited too. Please
tell her soon.
CUT TO

8.

INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Jean gets home and heads for the kitchen. She is holding two
shopping bags in her hands, looking tired. She calls out to
Oliver.
JEAN
Oliver? Oliver? Ive finished
early, are you home?
She puts the shopping on the table, knocking off Olivers
notebook. Jean bends down to pick it up, holding it in her
hand for a moment. Curiosity gets the better of her so she
sits down and flicks through. After a few pages, she pauses,
her face frozen.
JEAN
I dont believe it.
CUT TO
INT/EXT. LATER AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Oliver is approaching the front door, carrying two bags.
Jean confronts Oliver in the hallway, taking him by
surprise. She pushes his book into his chest, causing Oliver
to drop the bags. Jean is seething with anger.
OLIVER
Im really sorry. Look..
JEAN
Save it. After everything we spoke
about, you go behind my back like
this? How do you expect me to feel?
OLIVER
I was about to tell you, tonight.
If you knew how important this was
to me, youd understand. Ive been
preparing for weeks...
JEAN
(interrupting)
Oh, brilliant. That makes it even
better, but if youve been
preparing for weeks...
OLIVER
(Loudly)
Since we lost the house, since that
ordeal, Ive never felt so
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

9.

OLIVER (contd)
pathetic, so old. I miss being
respected, I miss making you proud.
I want to prove Im not just a has
been.
JEAN
Thats crap. Youre either selfish
or completely blind if you dont
see how much pain you are causing
me. You care more about magic than
about me.
OLIVER
No. No. No. It is not like that at
all.
Oliver picks up one of the bags he dropped, pulling out a
new suit. It is far smarter than the one seen in the opening
of the film.
OLIVER
I really need you to be there. Ive
got something for you.
Oliver goes to lift the second bag but Jean snatches it away
from him.
JEAN
How dare you. How dare you Oliver
Grant. Ive had enough. Ill have
no part in this. Choose. Right now.
Me, or the show.
OLIVER
I want you there more than anything
dear..
JEAN
Choose Oliver, for Christs sake
just choose.
OLIVER
If I have to do it without you
there, I will. This is my last
chance.
Jean pushes past Oliver with the bag and opens the door. We
hear the sound of the dustbin lid being lifted, bag thrown
in and then closed. Oliver looks defeated, crushed.
CUT TO

10.

INT. MORNING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD

Jean is seated in the lounge, reading a magazine. Oliver
approaches but before speaking, thinks better of it and lets
Jean be.
CUT TO
INT. AFTERNOON - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Oliver is facing the mirror. His suit looks smart and
classical, the one he showed Jean. He adds a magicians hat,
over his combed hair. Oliver adjusts his bow tie one last
time. He takes his trunk out of the room he previously threw
it in. Oliver goes to the lounge where Jean is no longer
there. Oliver takes an item out of his pocket, placing it on
the table next to where Jean normally sits.
CUT TO
INT/EXT. 8:50PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE
It is evening. There is a shot of the outside of the club
Oliver is performing at. It looks important, popular.
Inside, the place is yet to have opened its doors to people.
Oliver is there alone, walking down the aisle of the empty
row until he gets to the stage. He looks out onto the
room. Although it looks appealing, it also shows its age
and has perhaps seen better days. Oliver looks slightly
nervous.
CUT TO
INT. EVENING - GRANT HOUSEHOLD
Jean returns from work. She looks tired and miserable. She
takes her usual seat on the sofa, sighing. Jean removes her
work badge that hangs around her neck, placing it on the
table where Oliver left the object. Jean notices it and
picks it up, still hidden from the camera. She has a moment
to herself, staring at it. Jean smiles and mutters out loud.
JEAN
Oli you bloody fool. We both are.
She grabs her coat and exits through the door.
CUT TO

11.

INT. 9:45PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE

Oliver is backstage in a small dressing room. There are a
number of old details involving the room, including a hat
stand. The room is beginning to fill up, with an excitement
of anticipation from the audience. Oliver plays with the
ring on his finger. His trunk is by his side.
STAGE MANAGER
Ladies and Gentleman. Our first
performance of the night will begin
shortly.
CUT TO
EXT. 9:50PM - OUTSIDE CLUB
Jean steps out of a car. She is wearing a long coat and it
is dark. She tries to enter through the front door but it is
locked. She runs around the side.
CUT TO
INT. 9:50-M - BACKSTAGE CORRIDORS
Jean is running down the side of the building, unsure of
where to go.
CUT TO
INT. 10:00PM - MAGIC PERFORMANCE/BACKSTAGE
Oliver is still behind the curtain. He is still playing with
his wedding ring on his finger.
STAGE MANAGER
We are ready for you sir.
Oliver takes a final deep breath and bursts through the
curtains. He walks slowly to the centre of the stage. Oliver
takes off his hat.
CUT TO
Jean is still frantically searching backstage, looking lost.
She is in a green room.
JEAN
Where the hell is it?

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

12.
CUT TO

Oliver begins to speak on stage.

OLIVER
Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you for
your attendance. I hope you enjoy
the show. My first trick of the
night is a very important one to me
and to my wife. Sadly, she couldnt
make it.
Oliver looks at Penny who smiles, masking her shared
disappointment with her father. She is seated in the front
row.
CUT TO
Jean is still backstage, trying locked doors, when one
finally opens.
JEAN
Im sorry but I need to be there
for my husband
CUT TO
OLIVER
Regrettably, this show will be my
last. Im not sure what has been
sacrificed along the way, I just
wanted to do what I loved, with
those most dear to me...
There is a sound of a door opening at the back of the room.
Penny turns round and Oliver breaks eye contact with the
crowd, also looking. It isnt Jean, just a regular audience
member who looks sheepish for disturbing the act. Oliver
regains his composure.
OLIVER
And that ladies and gentleman, is
worth fighting for.
Oliver stretches out his hand backwards.
OLIVER
A hand for my the beautiful
assistant please.
Out steps Jean, in a beautiful assistants costume. She takes
Olivers hand. Oliver stares in bewilderment, they are still
for a moment.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

JEAN
Hurry up dear! You havent sawn me
in half for years.
The camera is behind the pair, with the audience looking on
in expectation.
CUT TO
CREDITS
The credits roll over a black and white photo showing 2
children, transfixed in the art of magic.