Shine Page #2

INT. Sylvia'S CAR - NIGHT

TONY is driving. Sylvia is in front, both laughing along

with David in the back.

David

(a braying laugh)

'Helfott' - 'with the help of God' - that's what it means

Sylvia. How's that? You see, Daddy's daddy was religious,

vee-eery religious, very strict; and a bit of a meanie. But

he got eterminated, didn't he, so God didn't help him.

Whooahhh. Not very funny is it, Sylvia? Very sad, really

sad - I'm callous aren't I, such a meanie because I haven't

got a soul, is that right - that's right isn't it?

Sylvia - (O.S.)

What do you mean?

David

Daddy, daddy said so. No such thing as a soul.

A train whiste sounds in the distance.

Sylvia

That's ridiculous

David

Ridiculous; you're right. I'm ridiculous Sylvia-Tony, and

callous Daddy said because it was a tragedy, a tragedy '

The car drives into a tunnel. Blackness in the tunnel.

David - (V.0.)

' a ridiculous tragedy.

The sound of the train wheels rattling, blasting a signal

sweeps us into bright light.

INT. OLD HALL - DAY

As if in a dream, children's faces turn to look at camera in

soundless slow-motion. Some are made up, prissy, perfectly

dressed for a performance, accompanies by 'stage mothers',

fanning themselves in the stifling heat, all eyes focused on

the next contestant as he makes his way up the centre aisle.

His POV. Over this we fade up.

ANNOUNCER:

Let's hear it for our next young contestant, David Helfgott.

David, nine, makes his way down the aisle clutching a score.

His hair is meticulously parted and he wears spectacles. A

little uncertain, he stops and looks back to his father.

Peter HELFGOTT is a thickset Polish man in his fifties. He

motions for David to keep going, then sits, anxious and

excited. David walks up some steps onto the stage.

Announcer

David's going to play the piano for us, aren't you David?

David

Yes.

He's stage-struck by all those faces looking at him,

including three judges - two elderly females and a man in

his thirties. His name is BEN Rosen.

Announcer

What are you going to play?

David's attention is taken by a fan nearby, blades whirring.

Announcer

David, what are you going to play?

David snaps out of it, when from the audience '

Peter

(stands)

Chopin! The Polonaise!

Peter smiles full of charm, and a little embarrassed at all

eyes on him; he applauds encouragingly then sits.

David's hells click on the bare boards as he crosses to the

old upright piano centre-stage. HE adjusts his music. His

bony legs barely reac the pedals. HE difgets, looks into

the spotlight. He takes a deep breath, then launches into

Chopin's Polonaise in A Flat, the first few bars ring out

with unusual power, surprising everyone - BEN Rosen in

particular.

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