INT. THE MONGOL GALLERY - DAY
The place has been transformed, the paintings withdrawn from the space, and instead, tables and chairs designed in such a way that intimate conversations can form and all can discuss the Alaric they knew and loved.
PETER
Thanks for coming everybody. I have to say, I don't think Alaric
would have wanted long faces so let's drink, eat and celebrate his life. He died fighting for what he believed in so, in the words of Joe Hill,
'Don't mourn! Organise!"
BOUDICCA
Peter's right and of course, thanks to Alaric, Peter and I have a lot of
organising to do in order to make Alaric's shop work in the way he
would have wished.
PETER
So let's begin with a toast. To Alaric. Long may his light shine.
ALL
Alaric.
FADE TO:
INT - NUMBER 76 BUS - DAY
Anna sits on the upper deck of the bus, gazing out of the window while Fleet Street moves slowly past. We see an open topped tourist bus overtaking the bus Anna is in. Anna takes out her cellphone.
ANNA
Hello? Hello? Damn! Yes, sorry, you're speaking with Anna Kern.
I'm on my way. I hope you're there.
Anna closes her phone and sighs.
ANNA
Verdommte Ansaphone.
She gazes fiercely out at the empty offices moving past the window as the bus crawls through London.
CUT TO:
INT. MONGOL GALLERY - DAY
Liam taps a spoon on the side of his glass.
LIAM
A moment's attention please. Alaric was a bookseller. I've known
him maybe two weeks but in that time, he introduced me to a few
concepts in philosophy and particularly to this book.
Liam holds up a copy of Orson Scott Card's "Speaker for the Dead".
LIAM
It is fitting that a bookseller's legacy to me should be the knowledge
of a book, and of course, the knowledge that he would wish me to
return the favour. The book talks of a way of celebrating the dead,
not by lying about how good they were or cursing all the bad in their
life, but by speaking what people might have said themselves if they
were still alive, and painfully honest.
Daniel smiles and begins making a sketch of Liam.
LIAM
So. Who was Alaric Hanworth? A bookseller? Yes we know. A
supportive, loving big brother? Would you not agree Boudicca? A
wizard. How many of you knew that about him. He was a skilled
conjuror, but also he looked at the universe with eyes tinged with
magic. He lived in a cartoon world of absolutes and of shades of
grey. A modern gay man, although anyone who knew him would
CONTINUED
CONTINUED
LIAM
know Alaric hated the term and referred to himself as 'queer' or 'an old
poof'. But more than that. Alaric was our shield and defender. We
never knew it, but he held the line, there in his shop against dark
forces that sought to come into our world. I know what you're
thinking. Hard nosed journalist finally lost it? Or maybe not. Maybe you're nodding your head. Either way, it's true. There is evil in the
world, and every day and with every breath, Alaric stood against that
evil. Let us hope someone takes up his sword and shield.
BOUDICCA
I will take up his sword
`PETER
And I will take up his shield.
LIAM
All of us must, as a community.
The doors burst open. Nick de Musca is there.
de MUSCA
Never take a sword to a gunfight.
de Musca pulls a knife and lunges at Boudicca but pulls his stroke as Daniel moves quickly between them.
FATHER DEMETRIOS
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, begone from this place.
de Musca snarls and runs out into the street.
FADE TO:
INT. NUMBER 76 BUS - DAY
The bus is now at a standstill. Passengers are becoming more and more agitated. Cellphone conversations are growing louder and we hear frantic arguments in Polish and Portuguese.
ANNA
Where are we?
PASSENGER
Moorgate, just past London Wall.
DRIVER
Ladies and Gentleman, I'm sorry to have to say, this bus will
terminate at the next stop because of a fault. Your tickets will be
good on other modes of transport.
The bus pulls to a stop and we follow Anna as she steps out into.
EXT. MOORGATE - DAY
Anna speaks to a newspaper seller.
ANNA
What's the best way to get to Stoke Newington.
NEWSPAPER SELLER
That way, Finsbury Circus, Liverpool Street, British Rail to Stokey.
Be there in half an hour tops.
The Newspaper's words become voiceover as Anna begins running through Finsbury Circus and makes her way to Liverpool Street Station.
CUT TO:
EXT. CHURCH STREET DAY
Cook has pulled a knife and is moving menacingly toward Nick de Musca.
COOK
Makes the world go round, schmuck
de MUSCA (laughs)
Batty boy, don't you know who I am?
They fight. Of course, Cook does not stand a chance and yet, somehow, when de Musca cuts him, it is only an arm and then de Musca is gone in the confusion. Cook winces and holds his arm as his white sleeve goes red and drips blood.
CUT TO:
INT. NATIONAL EXPRESS TRAIN - DAY
Anna is looking nervously out of the window as the train moves North from Liverpool Street. Nick de Musca sits down beside her.
de MUSCA
Last chance to back down slut.
ANNA (glaring)
Get you gone.
de MUSCA
Your funeral. Or maybe it'll be your toy boy's.
ANNA
Stop your games, I'm not susceptible.
Anna gets up and leaves the carriage. We see that she's got off at Hackney Downs station. She dashes out of the station and flags down a black cab. We follow her to....
INT. BLACK CAB - DAY
ANNA
Church Street, Stoke Newington. The Mongol Gallery.
CABBIE
On the way Missus. You okay love?
ANNA
No idea. I hope so.
The Cabbie makes conversation as the cab moves through Hackney and we follow Anna to.
EXT. CHURCH STREET - DAY
The cab pulls up outside the Mongol Gallery. Liam is attempting to bandage Cook's wound while Daniel looks on and Peter and Boudicca try to restrain Father Demetrios from running after de Musca, who is nowhere to be seen in any case. Father Demetrios is readfaced and breathless.
ANNA
Keep the Change
Anna leaves the cab and immediately throws her arms around Daniel who returns the gesture.
ANNA
Daniel, you're okay. I thought...
PETER
He isn't Ms Kern, he really isn't.
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