A Monster Calls Page #3

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(laughs)

She’s going to bring me a box full

of wigs she got somewhere, if you

can believe it. Be lucky if I don’t

end up looking like a zombie Lady

Gaga.

Conor is relaxing, the atmosphere improving. Mum regards him

for a moment, then ruffles his hair.

MUM (CONT’D)

(fake serious)

Now, tell me you haven’t shrunk my

favourite wool jumpers?

Conor laughs shyly.

Mum (CONT’D)

Go on, go.

(as he crosses to his bag)

Stop dragging your feet!

He picks them up comically, like a clown. As Conor puts his

rucksack on, Mum leans against the counter, looking out the

window.

19.

16-16A

EXT. CONOR’S HOUSE DRIVEWAY/ STREETS - later 16-16A

Conor walks to school, rucksack on his back. It’s a bit of a

journey, and he pulls his coat tight against the cold.

20.

16B Ext. SHOP ROAD - moRNING 16B

He’s deep in thought, but he’s distracted by one SHOP WINDOW

(the ART SHOP where his paper bag was from). Inside the

window are a set of art pencils that he obviously craves.

He’s about to walk on but he sees someone down the street. He

steps into the doorway to hide while he watches:

A girl, LILY, 12, thick glasses, the friend from the photo in

his bedroom. She’s harmless, goofy, charming, but Conor holds

back so she won’t see him.

21.

17

Ext. SCHOOL OUTSIDE - momENTS LATER 17

Establish. Conor & Lily are in the first year of secondary,

so they’re the tiniest students among giants.

22.

18 ExT. ALLEY/ SPORTS FIELD - later 18

C/U on Conor falling, as if pushed, hitting the concrete

path. Still down, he puts his hand to his lip. It comes away

bloody.

Behind him, we see HARRY, 13, blond wonder boy, calmly

vicious bully, flanked by ANTON and SULLY, both 13. Harry is

straightening his leg, clearly having tripped Conor.

Harry

Careful there, O’Malley. You might

fall.

The minions laugh. Conor is resigned. This isn’t new. He

reaches for his bag and starts to get up, but a perfectly

timed trip from Harry sends him falling again.

HARRY (CONT’D)

Always off in your own little

dreamworld. What’s there that’s so

interesting, O’Malley?

The minions keep laughing. Conor starts to rise again.

There’s blood on his lip.

sully

(joyous)

He’s bleeding!

anton

He’ll have to get his slaphead

mother to kiss it for him!

Silence, as the group absorbs this crossing of the line.

Conor’s face hardens, but before he can respond, Lily bounces

back into the scene.

Lily

You leave him alone! [Cowards!

There’s three of you and one of

him! I’m not scared of you! You’re

pathetic!]

Conor winces, and Harry’s minions are already laughing. Not

Harry, though, who never stops looking at Conor.

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