Ghosts
A screenplay commissioned by the BBC R&D Department in Salford Quays for 360 degree Virtual Reality filming experimentation. Ghosts is populated both with modern displaced workers and the spectres of the Industrial Revolution.
Olivia, unemployed and living in a dilapidated caravan outside Halifax, get a visit from her brother.
CW: Mental health, suicide
OLIVIA stands silently by the caravan and watches. She and the grey man are still for a few seconds, until eventually he turns slowly and walks away, dragging his feet. He disappears back around the right side of the caravan.
MARK
Livvy, you seeing stuff?
OLIVIA
(Quietly. Shaken.)
Yeah.
MARK
You’ve got to sleep.
A shape passes across the caravan windows, inside. It casts a shadow on the ground in front of the siblings. MARK doesn’t react to it, but OLIVIA stares up at the window.
MARK (CT’D)
What is it?
OLIVIA
Not your problem. Really.
MARK
You can’t keep on like this. I can help.
Beat.
Dad would be Ok with it.
OLIVIA
I’m trying to sort things out.
MARK
I know.
OLIVIA
Just a bit stuck.
MARK
I know what it’s like, Ok? But I dealt with it. If every down-and-out just kept clinging on like you, the world would be overrun with sad old caravans and boiled potatoes. People do what they have to do.
OLIVIA
I can’t.
MARK
Listen to me. Do what you have to do.
We hear the sound of soft footsteps pressing the grass nearby, from an indiscernible direction. OLIVIA hears, but doesn’t look round.
MARK
Ok, it’s late. Sure you won’t come with me?
OLIVIA
I can’t do it.
MARK stands.
OLIVIA (CT’D)
Hey – I want to.
MARK
Still on them pills?
OLIVIA
Not this week.
MARK
Then that’s the problem. Take them.
The footsteps are getting closer. OLIVIA reaches for her bag, which is down beside the caravan steps, and pulls out a pack of tablets. She takes one.
MARK
(Turning to leave)
Last chance. Come with.
OLIVIA studies the strip of olanzapine pills in her hand for a while. The footsteps continue to approach until they are right behind her. More ghostly figures slowly round both sides of the caravan towards her.
OLIVIA
Can’t today.
OLIVIA takes a pill.
© Caroline Lamb 2016
Caroline Lamb 