The Double Crossing - Script Extract

EXT. BEHIND THE TREES / WITH MARK. DAY.

Mark wonders and waits for a while before growing bored. He
checks his watch, presses hard against his bloody finger and
then walks down the hill to check to see if Bill and Miles
have cycled back yet.

Out on the left Mark can make out his bike and the small
house. Bill and Miles are nowhere to be seen.

Mark turns to the other side of the road to observe a black
car in the distance. He watches it for a second but only
because the appearance of a vehicle is rare in these places.

As the black car comes closer a hint of familiarity passes and
leaves Mark's face. He yawns and then returns to his position
on the grass.

He watches as the car drives past the hill and makes a
curious left turning into the field below.

Mark scrambles down so that he is lying on the grass. Peers
through the gaps in the trees to see the car in the centre.
In the front he can see the stirring wheel, hands, a pair of
legs, everything is obscured. He looks to the back and
catches the face of a cowering figure who we should
recognise as Ben.

An image plays through Mark's mind of when he made eye
contact with Ben back at the double crossing.

Back in the present. Mark keeps his eye on the car whilst
helping himself to some crisps from his bag. He begins to
munch away.

As he eats Mark changes position to get a better look at the
front of the car. He manages to see through a gap to
identify James in the driver's seat. Mark sits up and then
holds up his shirt pretending to speak into a recorder.

MARK (MUFFLED)
This is Marco Ranger on the
Highsman Case. Identified a tall
male at the driver's seat. I would
say approximately 32 years of age
and in the weight region of 180,
30 185 pounds. Cheap, smart suit.
Short, brown hair. Description seems to
match the Warren Bown gentleman we've been after.

Mark pretends to light a cigar and blows into the air. He then
observes the back seat through the trees. Finds Ben's face
once more.

MARK:
Character in the back is a shorter
gentleman. And a lot lighter, about
150. But don't quote that as a
fact, baby. Same suit as the
driver.

Mark finds a gap further down the branches. He looks through
and gets a view of Ben's seat. Gazes down further to see his
shoes.

MARK:
This guy ain't rich or poor, he's
an inbetweener as I like to call
them. Now onto the
tro...user...s...

Mark's face stops moving. His mouth is shut.
We see what he is looking at through the gap in the trees.
Ben's right hand shaking violently behind his back. His other
hand trying to make it rest.

Mark changes his position to observe the front. Focuses again
on James in the driver's seat. Mark changes position to
try and observe the man from the waist down.

He sees his feet relaxed into the floor...

His right hand waving in the air...

His left hand feeling into his pocket by his side... some
material pops out from the pocket.

Mark can't figure out what it is. But remains curious.

He sits up slightly to try and get a look at the third man sat
opposite the driver. The sound of one of the car doors opening
however sends him flying back down.

Mark watches James walk round to the back of the car.

EXT. SMALL FIELD. DAY.

James moves round near towards the back of the car and then
rests beside the tyre on the left hand side. He starts to rub
it up and down and makes mental notes in his head.

The sound of another car door can be heard being opened.
Ben appears from out of the car. He clutches his hand as he
walks. He gazes at his surroundings frequently and moves with
his shoulders slouched. He looks a bag of nerves.

As he appears by his brother's side he kneels down with him
and then shoots straight back up. His head keeps rolling from
side to side.

BEN:
J.. James....

James rubs his hand across the wheel. Holds his ear against it
and pretends to listen out for certain sounds.

BEN:
J.. James. Would you like to tell
me what is going on here. Huh.
James. JAMES!

JAMES:
What's the matter, kid?

Ben gazes over towards the front seat to check that the window
isn't open. He then kneels down besides his brother and speaks
close to his ear.

BEN:
W... what's the mmm matter?

Ben gazes towards the window again.

BEN:
What are you up to?

James looks at him blankly.

JAMES:
What?

BEN:
First off you tell me, your just
going to pay him a visit. Then you
walk out of his house practically
holding his hand.

James presses against the tyre to feel it's pressure.

JAMES:
Maybe it hasn't gone down after
all.

BEN:
James. Are you even listening to
me?

JAMES:
Unfortunately I am. Yes.

BEN:
Well then, why don't you give me
some answers. Why don't you tell me
what you were playing at, going
down that hill and nearly killing
all of us. Why don't you tell me
why your acting best friends...

Ben moves closer towards his brother's ears.

BEN:
... with the man who slept with
your girlfriend under your own
sheets.

James looks up to Dan's seat and considers this point.

JAMES:
I just had to know for myself.

James hands start to shake slightly.

JAMES:
When I mentioned her name, I
watched his whole face change. His
eyes darken. His whole body
tighten. I just had to know for
myself.

Ben looks sadly at James and then begins to pace once more.
Pulls tight at his hair and then kneels down to look his
brother in the eye.

BEN:
So what now?

James is about to answer when the sound of a car door opens
and closes.

EXT. BOTTOM OF HILL / WITH MARK. DAY.

Mark watches with a confused expression and then starts to
yawn. He checks his watch and looks up at the sky. Starts to
pack his bag besides him.

EXT. DINGHY FIELD. DAY.

Dan steps out of the car and stands like a runner waiting
for the race whistle. He has lost all traces of his charm
and keeps brushing away sweat from his forehead.

Ben and James both watch him closely...

Dan and James make eye contact...

James raises his eyebrows....

Dan looks to Ben....

Ben turns away his gaze.

DAN:
How's the tyre?

BEN (EXTREMELY PANICKED)
S'okkaaayy.

James narrows his eyelids in Dan's direction. Blows out his
cheeks and stretches out his nose.

JAMES:
Actually it's not. It's on death's
door.

Dan's heart seems to skip a beat as he loses balance.

DAN:
Well.. wel.. well. Good job your
house is just down the road, huh?

James rubs against the rope in his left pocket.

JAMES:
I still don't think he'll make it.

BEN:
What?

JAMES:
I said I still don't think we'll
make it.

James winks at Dan. Dan can barely even force a smile.

Complete silence. The sounds of a nearby lake become apparent
for the first time. A bird whistles in the distance. The trees
blow into one another.

Dan leans back slightly and then catches the sinister look
in James eyes. Nods his head forward and taps on the car.
Ben's eyes widen with dread as he watches Dan.

James digs his hand deep into his left pocket.

Dan gulps in hard... and then CHARGES in the direction of
the road.

James reacts instantly. He throws Ben out of his way with
mighty force, sending him flying to the ground. Sprints
round to the side of the car to open up the boot.

EXT. BOTTOM OF CLIMB / WITH MARK. DAY.

Mark has his back turned to the action. He stands to his
feet and starts to make his way down the climb.
But then observes

Ben on the ground...

Dan running out of the field...

Mark's nose flares as he sits back down.

EXT. DINGHY FIELD. DAY.

James grabs a cheap model shotgun from under a rug in his
boot. Turns back round to aim it in Dan's direction.

Ben sees the gun and charges at his brother's feet.

James takes aim and FIRES....

The sound is deafening...

Disturbs the peaceful flowing of the trees...

The calm rotation of the clouds...

EXT. BOTTOM OF CLIMB / WITH MARK. DAY.

Mark's face comes alive. He holds his hand to his mouth.
When he releases it he feels like he is about to scream so
he clamps both hands over his lips.