EDNA

Written by

Isabella Baldwin

Campus AccommodationUniversity DriveBond University QLD4229Phone Number: 0437930028

EXT. COUNTRY FIELD - SUNSET1 1

Its 1961 and the type of lazy afternoon romance novels thrive on. A beautiful little spring sits tranquil in a small bushland clearing. Introducing RICHARD, 25, in a typical graziers outfit - blue jeans with suspenders and his hair combed over in the fashion of the time. He pulls aside a low hanging tree branch to let through EDNA, 20, who is a dark haired beauty wearing a pretty cotton dress and an oval locket. Edna looks at the spring in wonder.

EDNABut they said theres no water on this farm!

Richard laughs and kisses Edna on the cheek.

RICHARDYou just have to know where to look.

They both look at the water for a moment.

RICHARD (CONTD)I spoke to your father yesterday.

Edna looks at him, barely masking her excitement.

RICHARD (CONTD)For a minute I thought he was going to shoot me.

Edna laughs.

RICHARD (CONTD)But he came round. So I bought a bottle of your favourite whiskey to celebrate.

He suddenly looks shy.

RICHARD (CONTD)That is, if youll still have me?

Edna looks at him fondly and kisses him. They pull apart and Edna touches his forehead with hers.

EDNAIts only ever been you. (Pause)But where is this whiskey?

Richard pulls away and walks over to a line of fishing tackle stretching from a nearby tree into the pond. He tugs on it and winks enigmatically.

RICHARDYou just have to know where to look...

He pulls on the line and a bottle of whiskey emerges from the water. Edna claps her hands in delight and takes it from him. As she goes to open it, Richard puts his hand on hers.

RICHARD (CONTD)Wait, I have a better idea. Lets not open it just yet.

Edna pouts and makes Richard laugh. He pats her face.

RICHARD (CONTD)On our 50th anniversary. At sunset. Well be old and grey. But well be together, and just as happy as we are today. Lets drink it then.

The kiss again and Richard pulls her down on to the grass. They lie next to each other and look up at the clouds.

FADE OUT.

FADE IN.2 2

EXT. YANDILLA RETIREMENT HOME - DAY3 3

Yandilla Retirement Home is a typical retirement home for any middle sized, semi rural town. There is nothing particularly noteworthy about this building. The outer walls are plain white and the grass is patchy and a depressing brown/green. Limp flowers grow half-heartedly in the garden beds next to the disabled ramp and the faint noise of magpies and cars can be heard. On the footpath, a youngish, female NURSE, wheels an OLD MAN past in a wheelchair.

Welcome to Gods waiting room.

INT. YANDILLA RETIREMENT HOME/VISITING ROOM - DAY4 4

OLD PEOPLE in various states of decay are dotted around the room.

We start to hear a quick, angry voice over the din of bleeping machines and the television. The voice begins soft, but gets louder and louder as we move closer,

EDNA (V.O.)...And they tell me when to sleep, when to eat AND when to take a piss! The bed is tiny, there isnt nearly enough room on the mantel for all my things.

2.

One DEAD OLD MAN sits in a wheelchair with tubes coming out of his nose - he is quite obviously dead, and no one really seems to have noticed. Next to him sits a man who is clearly his MIDDLE AGED SON and his WIFE. Both are extremely bored. The Middle Aged Son is idly watching the TV show and checking his watch, whilst his wife flicks through an old gossip magazine.

EDNAAnd the pills! So many bloody pills! One for digestion, one for cholesterol, one for my osteo and two - yes, two! - pills for my heart!

Two children, a BOY and a GIRL around 10 are hell bent on flicking peas into the Dead old Mans mouth.

EDNA (CONTD)But you want to know the worst bloody thing of all?

Edna, 75, is lively looking, with hair a darker grey than the other oldies and with colour still in her cheeks. She is wearing the oval locket around her neck. Her usually sparkling eyes are on fire as she glares across the doily cloth covered table at her son, JOHN. Hes 45 years old and completely unremarkable with balding hair and the paunch of a sedentary job.

ENDAThey took away my whiskey!

She explodes in fury. Her hands gesticulate wildly, causing her to knock the toupee off a nearby OLD GENT.

NURSE CANDACE, a bitchy nurse, across the room, glares at her crossly.

NURSE CANDACEShhshh!

Edna continues, uncaring.

ENDAThat bottle was special! Weve been saving it for fifty years. Fifty! Since the day your father, rest his soul, proposed.

Edna goes quiet.

JOHNIm sorry, Mum.

3.

EDNAAbout what? The fact that hes dead? Or the fact that you dumped me here?

John finally loses his temper.

JOHNAnd what were we supposed to do? After dad died it was clear you couldnt stay on the farm!

Nearby, the BOY has succeeded in throwing a pea into the Dead Old Mans mouth (he remains dead). Edna, with total nonchalance, swipes the peas off a nearby plate and discreetly pours them into the kids hands.

JOHN (CONTD)Mum!

John is about to say more but Edna ignores him and grabs his hand. Her eyes are suddenly wide and pleading.

EDNAI'm getting older and older every day, John. I fight like hell to keep my mind - and my limbs - working. But my time is running out. This is why I asked you here today. I want to visit Richard one more time - and I want you to take me.

Johns face softens as she talks and he looks a little sympathetic.

EDNA (CONTD)Tomorrow would have been our 50th anniversary.

JOHN(quietly)

Mum, its hours away to Boolkuruna, I just cant afford the time...

EDNA(yells)

Oh, bugger off then!

The nurses and other visiting family members look at her in shock. John laughs nervously and smiles at them before rounding on his mother.

JOHNMum, Im sorry, but I just cant help you get out right now.

Edna stands up. John sighs and stands too.

4.

EDNAFine! If you wont help, go! Just go!

John looks at her for a long moment before turning and walking away.

She watches him go for a moment before she walks away, past the Dead Old Man. She stops and thumps him in the chest.

EDNA (CONTD)Oh, wake up Frank!

Frank, the Dead Old Man (who is apparently alive), gives a start and coughs out several flying peas.

INT. EDNAS ROOM - NIGHT5 5

Ednas room is small and sparsely decorated. Her narrow bed lies beside a simple wooden bedside table. Edna is tucked up to her chin in bed and is staring at an old photograph of Richard that is inside her locket. CANDACE, the patronizing nurse, bustles in. Although relatively young and attractive, whatever natural prettiness she might possess is covered under a thick layer of make up. She smiles at Edna, her smile sweet, yet ridiculously condescending. Edna pokes her tongue out when she turns her back.

NURSE CANDACETime to take your pills!

Her voice has a sing-song quality that makes Edna cringe.

EDNAJust leave them on the night stand

She braces herself and says (not without disgust),

EDNA (CONTD)...deary

NURSE CANDACEJust be a good girl and drink up, okay?

Candace speaks very slowly at Edna, as though she were deaf or retarded. Regardless, Edna reluctantly peels back the covers revealing her dressing gown.

NURSE CANDACE (CONTD)Why are you wearing that gown for?

EDNAEr... Just a chill, dear.

Nurse Candace rolls her eyes and clucks disapprovingly.

5.

NURSE CANDACEIts always the same. Every time one of you oldies gets a chill its just a short walk to the funeral home and a lot of forms for me to fill out.

She looks at Edna and smiles falsely.

NURSE CANDACE (CONTD)Oh! Not that you have anything to worry about. But Ill get the thermometer just in case!

She says the next under her breath,

NURSE CANDACE (CONTD)No sense in getting whacked with a negligence claim...

She leaves the room. When she is out the door Edna bursts out of bed and rips the gown off. Underneath she is wearing faded blue jeans, work boots and a leather jacket. She reaches under the bed and grabs a brown leather duffel bag. Edna straightens quickly and winces as her bones crackle.

INT. NURSES OFFICE - NIGHT6 6

Nurse Candace rustles through a first aid kit for a thermometer. Finding it, she leaves.

INT. EDNAS ROOM - NIGHT7 7

Edna hears Nurse Candaces footsteps returning.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT8 8

Nurse Candace enters the room, but Edna is no where to be seen.

NURSE CANDACE Edna?

With a loud ding she is whacked on the back of the head and slumps to the ground. As she falls, Edna is revealed behind her, holding a bedpan.

CUT TO:

Edna steps back and admires her handiwork. Nurse Candace is bound and gagged on the floor with ropes made out of knitting. Edna crouches down and yanks out her keys. Nurse Candace glares up at her, angry and a little scared. She struggles to say something.

6.

EDNAWhat was that, dear? Oh, yes, musnt forget to take my pills.

Edna pours the pills on the night stand down her throat and guzzles the water. She wipes her mouth and grins at Candace. Grabbing her bag she walks out, closing the door behind her.

INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT9 9

Edna is creeping down the hallway, a GROUP OF LAUGHING NURSES wander out of the staff room. Edna presses herself up against a doorway as they wander past. Once theyre gone she creeps quickly into the staff room. Rummaging through the cupboards she finds a bottle of Scotch Whiskey. Its clearly very old. The date says 1961. Edna kisses the bottle and clutches it close.

EDNA(whispers)

Im on my way, Richard.

EXT. YANDILLA RETIREMENT HOME - NIGHT10 10

Edna skulks around the corner and nearly has to dive into some bushes. A FAT SECURITY GUARD wanders past, whistling tunelessly. Edna creeps up behind him and takes him out with the bedpan. She checks his pockets and finds his wallet. Taking out the cash she looks down disdainfully - he is groaning in pain.

EDNAHarden up, buttercup!

EXT. SERVO - NIGHT11 11

A young HOODLUM pulls up outside the servo in a shiny green V8. Hes a scrawny looking little bastard, with a goatee and gelled hair. Hes wearing skinny leg jeans and a v-neck shirt. A real wanker. Before he locks the door he notices an old woman hunched over, groaning in pain. He looks at her and then looks at the servo. Unfortunately he has to get past her to get inside As he walks past, Edna grabs him.

HOODLUMGet orf!

Edna moans in pain.

EDNA(gasping)

Im...going...to steal...your...car

He shoves past her. Then he stops.

7.

HOODLUMWhat did you just say?

But he realises too late. Edna is already in the drivers seat. With wicked glee she grins at him and waves - the keys are in her hand. He automatically checks his pockets and, sure enough, the keys are gone. The car roars to life. Edna drives off with a squeal of tyres.

INT. V8 CAR - NIGHT12 12

Edna is chuckling to herself. As she glances in the rearview, an extremely drunk (and likely drugged) BLONDE BIMBO wakes up in the back seat and rises. The Bimbo and Edna lock eyes in the mirror.

EDNA AND BLONDE BIMBOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!

EXT. SERVO - NIGHT13 13

The Hoodlum is on the phone to the police.

HOODLUMThats what I said! Some old biddy took my fu -

He watches, astounded as the V8 car comes back. It squeals to a halt in front of him and the Bimbo is ejected from the backseat. Staggering over to the Hoodlum, they both gape as the car drives away again.

INT. JOHNS HOUSE - MORNING14 14

Johns two kids are playing with action figures at the table. John is eating breakfast. Hes in a smart business suit. Watching the morning news on a TV in the kitchen he splutters out his coffee, reaches for the remote and turns it up.

NEWS REPORTER (V.O.)...assaulted a security guard and committed grand theft auto.

On the news is CCTV footage of Edna robbing the Security Guard and stealing the Hoodlums car.

EXT. BARREN COUNTRY ROAD - DAY15 15

The V8 roars past, leaving a trail of dust behind.

8.

INT. V8 CAR - DAY16 16

Edna has clearly been driving all night. She presses a button on the radio and is thrown back into the seat. Loud, screechy club music explodes from the sub woofer. The car swerves as Edna tries to change the music. She presses another button and sweet, classical music starts playing. Edna wrinkles her nose and presses the button again. This time an old school rock n roll tune blares out.

RICHARDRemember when we saw them in concert?

Edna looks at the young Richard who is sitting in the seat next to her.

RICHARD (CONTD)They came to the local show grounds. We couldnt afford the tickets and your father still didnt approve of me and didnt want you to go.

Edna smiles.

RICHARD (CONTD)But you were so determined. You snuck out and stole your fathers ute, drove to my place and whisked me away.

Edna gives a little laugh.

RICHARD (CONTD)We climbed the old gum tree and watched them play. You looked so beautiful. But by God, there was trouble when we got home!

Edna groans, remembering. Richard turns serious.

RICHARD (CONTD)Theres more trouble to come, my love.

Edna glances at him, questioning. But he is no longer there. Suddenly the sound of a police siren causes her to look into the rearview. A police car is following her. She purses her lips and looks at the spedometer. She is 20 kilometres over the speed limit. She decides to pull over. Edna watches in the rear view as the highway cop, SERGEANT RYAN walks over to her car. Edna reluctantly winds down the window.

SERGEANT RYANDo you know how fast you were going?

9.

He peers closer at her. Recognition dawns.

SERGEANT RYAN (CONTD)Is that you, Edna?

Edna laughs nervously.

EDNAGday Sarge.

The Sergeant grins.

SERGEANT RYANEdna Fettell. I didnt expect to see you back in these parts.

EDNAHow wrong you were.

SERGEANT RYANYou know, I thought I heard something about you on the news...

He stops. He and Edna stare at each other for a very long moment. Sergeant Ryan opens his mouth to speak, but Edna slams the car into reverse and hits the front of the police car. Sergeant Ryan and Edna are both yelling - him in anger, her in fright. Edna then zooms off as Sergeant Ryan runs to the car.

INT. V8 CAR - AFTERNOON17 17

Edna is driving fast, between darting glances back into the rearview. She can hear police sirens. Suddenly the car gives a lurch and a bang.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - AFTERNOON18 18

The car grinds to a halt and Edna staggers out. Suddenly she doubles over in pain. Her heart is playing up. Gasping for breath she makes her way to the passenger side and grabs the whiskey bottle. She glances at a sign saying Boolkuruna - 4.5km. She glances back, the police sirens are getting louder. She has to make the choice: either stay and get arrested or continue on foot on her now suicidal mission to get to Richard.

Edna walks down the country road.

EXT. BOOLKURUNA - DAY19 19

Edna leans against a sign that says Boolkuruna and closes her eyes. Her hand massages her chest - she is clearly having some heart pain. Her breath comes in gasps. When she opens her eyes she sees a young boy, RICHIE, 8, with his DOG.

10.

EDNAWhats your name, son?

RICHIERichie.

EDNAShort for Richard by any chance?

Richie nods once, Edna smiles at the irony.

EDNA (CONTD)I used to live here.

RICHIEReally? Are you Edna?

EDNA(smiling)

Thats right

Her breath becomes more raspy and she leans against the fence.

RICHIEWhat are you doing back here? Dad says the place got sold coz theres no water. Hes real mad about that.

EDNAYou tell your dad that theres plenty of water, you just gotta know where to look.

Edna looks up at him and smiles.

EDNA (CONTD)You know, you remind me of another Richie. One that I knew not too long ago. See, I came back here to visit someone, but my bodys not what it used to be. So, Ill cut you a deal: Ill tell you where your Dad can find the water if youll help me get someplace?

Richie considers her gravely.

RICHIEDeal.

EXT. OLD GRAVEYARD - TWILIGHT20 20

Richie supporting Edna, walks her to the rickety gate on the old family graveyard and then rushes off.

11.

RICHIEDad! Dad! I know where to find the water!

Edna fondly watches him go and then turns. She sees Richards grave and her face becomes solemn. The graveyard is tiny. There are only twelve or so graves in total ranging from the 1800s to a new one. It says; RICHARD FETTELL - HUSBAND, FATHER. GOOD BLOKE. Edna walks slowly towards it, staggering every couple of steps or so. She gives a strangled sob and kneels next to it.

EDNAGod, I could do with a drink, Richard.

She unstoppers the old bottle of Scotch and pours it on the grave before swigging it herself.

EDNA (CONTD)(whispers) Happy 50th anniversary, Richard, my love.

She leans against the grave and closes her eyes.

EDNA (CONTD)Best Scotch I ever had. You always did know what I loved.

She sighs and takes another swig. Her breath be coming even shorter now.

Edna opens her eyes and looks up. She sees a young Richard standing at the gate. He is smiling at her and beckoning her to come to him.

But Edna is finally still, her breath has slowed completely. As the sun sets.

FADE OUT.

12.