BALL AND CHAIN

Written by
Clive Makong'o

FOR KELLY

EXT. PARK - DAY

We watch from a distance as BEN COLLINS (14) sits at a bench.
He looks around, takes out his phone, dialling. It rings for
a moment before going to voice mail.
BEN
Hey Sarah. Im just calling to find
out where you are. Im at the park,
waiting.
He sighs, hanging up.
LATER
Ben still sits at the park. Its gotten slightly darker.
Almost no-one is still here.
SARAH (14) walks up to Ben, quiet with a sombre air about
her. She reaches him, standing silently in front of him. Ben
looks up at her, hiding his annoyance.
BEN
Hey.
SARAH
Hi.
BEN
Where were you?
SARAH
Im sorry.
BEN
I called you.
SARAH
I know. I just...
BEN
Ive been here for a long time.
SARAH
I think we should break up.
Silence. Ben stares at her, saying nothing.
SARAH (CONTD)
Im sorry.
She turns and leaves the park. Ben sits there, staring out at
the distance.

2.

INT. BENS HOUSE - EVENING

Ben walks down the stairs, a camping bag over his shoulder.
He reaches the bottom and stops.
BEN
(calling out)
Dad.
A moment.
The the door at the end of the hall swings open. Its dark in
there. We can just about make out the silhouette of a WOMAN.
She stands motionless, shrouded in darkness.
Ben is slightly startled as he looks on. Behind her we can
see the faint flicker of a screen, barely illuminating a MAN
sitting on a chair.
BEN (CONTD)
Oh mom. Erm... Im going now.
She says nothing, standing completely still.
BEN (CONTD)
Ill see you tomorrow.
He heads for the door, stopping to look back for a moment.
The door slowly closes as Ben watches.
INT. FORT - NIGHT
Ben, MALCOLM ANDREWS (13), JAMES NELSON (14), ALEX STEVENS
(14) and HARRY LEWIS (13) sit together around a table,
playing poker. A big pile of snacks sits in the middle of the
table.
Ben looks down at his cards. Hes got nothing. He looks
around at the others, checking for any signs. Everyones got
their cards close.
A tension hangs in the air.
Beat.
JAMES
Are you gonna bet or what?
BEN
Im thinking.

3.

HARRY
(grinning)
We all know youve got nothing.
Just fold.
BEN
Folding is for losers.
ALEX
Jesus. Just go dude.
BEN
Alright then. Ill go.
He dramatically pushes in all his food into the centre.
Groans around the table.
MALCOLM
Are you serious.
BEN
Damn right. You got the balls?
Harry, Malcolm and Alex all throw their cards down, folding.
BEN (CONTD)
Thought so.
He turns to James.
BEN (CONTD)
Well?
James looks up at him, eyes narrowed. Ben looks back, putting
on his best look of confidence.
JAMES
You sure talk a big game.
Uh oh. A bead of sweat slowly makes its way down his neck.
James notices it, his grin widening. Ben discreetly wipes it
away.
Its too late.
JAMES (CONTD)
Alright. If you insist.
James goes all in. The rest of the table looks on in awe.
JAMES (CONTD)
What you got Ben?

4.

Ben looks down at his cards. Sighing in defeat, he puts the

cards down on the table.
Absolutely nothing.
The table CRACKS UP. Ben looks on at them, annoyed.
BEN
Yeah whatever.
HARRY
Why didnt you just fold.
BEN
Shut up man.
ALEX
That was so dumb.
James rakes in all the food.
JAMES
All the better for me.
Ben sits sulking as Alex deals out cards for the next round.
ALEX
(to Ben)
None for you.
Off Ben, sulking.

INT. FORT - LATER

The boys lie in sleeping bags looking up at the roof.
ALEX
(to Malcolm)
So hows it going with Samantha?
MALCOLM
Ugh. Shes so annoying. I dumped
her.
HARRY
What? When?
MALCOLM
Yesterday.

5.

HARRY
Why?
MALCOLM
She was just so needy. Always
telling me to do stuff for her.
HARRY
Well did you guys ever... Do
anything?
MALCOLM
(sighing)
No. All she wanted to do was hold
hands.
ALEX
Lame.
BEN
Thats girls for you. Always want
something and they give nothing in
return. You cant trust them.
JAMES
It was the same with Megan.
BEN
Screw women.
MALCOLM
Yeah.
BEN
I say we make a pact. No more
women.
HARRY
Woah, hold on...
BEN
Im serious. Theyre just trouble.
HARRY
But still...
BEN
No buts. Theyre no good.
ALEX
Im down.
JAMES
Me too.

6.

BEN
Lets do it.
Ben gets up from his sleeping bag. The rest follow suit,
facing each other in a circle.
He places his hand in the centre. They look at each other for
a moment and put their hands in the centre.
BEN (CONTD)
From now on, we will not bother
with girls. We shall treat them as
the deceitful, manipulative
creatures they truly are.
NO MORE BALL AND CHAIN.
They break the circle with a celebratory WHOOP.
CUT TO:
INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT
LEGEND: 10 years later.
BEN (24) sits at a table, staring sternly across at JANE
(26). Hes lean and sharp, on his guard. She looks back at
him uncomfortably, shaken by his intensity.
BEN
So, what do you do?
JANE
Erm... Im write articles for a
magazine.
BEN
Really? What kind?
JANE
A fashion magazine.
BEN
Huh. That must be nice.
JANE
I enjoy it. What about you?
BEN
Me? I own a few restaurants.
Janes eyes widen in surprise.

7.

JANE
Wow. Really?
BEN
Yeah.
JANE
How? Thats insane. Youre so
young.
BEN
Well they were my dads. But he
died so I got them.
JANE
Oh Im sorry.
BEN
Its alright, it was a while ago.
JANE
How did he...
BEN
He... had an accident.
An awkward beat. Jane sips her wine.
JANE
Erm, so how many do you own?
Ben eyes her, calculating.
BEN
Twenty-seven.
JANE
Wow. Thats so many. You must be
doing well.
He scoffs loudly, stunning Jane.
BEN
I knew it.
JANE
What?
BEN
All you care about is money.
JANE
Wha --

8.

BEN
Youre all the same.
He gets up, throwing his napkin on the table.
JANE
Wait...
BEN
Goodbye.
He walks out, leaving Jane sitting at the table alone. She
groans in frustration. Eyeing him in rage as he leaves. A
hint of something vicious in her eyes.
She SLAMS THE TABLE, startling the people around her.
JANE
Goddammit.
EXT. BENS HOUSE - NIGHT
Bens car pulls into a large house, parking. He gets out,
heading for the door.
INT. BENS HOUSE - NIGHT
Ben walks into the house. Heading into the living room. He
sits on the couch, turning on the TV. RYAN (25) walks up
behind him, holding a beer bottle.
RYAN
You want one?
BEN
Sure.
He heads to the kitchen.
RYAN (O.S.)
How did your date go?
BEN
Same as usual.
RYAN (O.S.)
Goddammit Ben.
Ryan walks in, holding another beer. He hands it to Ben,
taking a seat next to him.

9.

RYAN (CONTD)
Did you even try?
BEN
Yes I tried. It just didnt work
out.
Ryan shakes his head.
RYAN
Oh you got a message by the way.
BEN
What was it?
RYAN
Some guy called Malcolm. Apparently
you went to school together.
BEN
Oh, yeah. I remember him.
RYAN
Oh good. That wouldve been
awkward. Anyway, hes getting
married.
Ben double takes.
BEN
What? Malcolm?
RYAN
Yup. He wanted the address so he
could send you an invite.
Ben sits silently, shaken.
RYAN (CONTD)
And your mom called again. You
should call her back.
Ben shoots him a look. He gets up, heading upstairs.
INT. BAR - NIGHT
Its a quiet bar. A few people sitting around by themselves.
Ben, HARRY (23) JAMES(24) and MALCOLM (23) sit somberly at a
booth sipping drinks.
They each wear extravagant hats that really dont work with
the mood. Its a lame way to spend a stag night. Awkward
looks around the table.

10.

HARRY
So wheres Alex?
MALCOLM
Erm, he wasnt able to make it.
Hes on holiday with his
girlfriends family.
BEN
Sheesh.
JAMES
Who else is coming?
MALCOLM
-- Its just you guys.
JAMES
Oh.
MALCOLM
Sh -- We didnt want to do anything
crazy.
Awkward silence.
JAMES
So whos the lucky lady?
MALCOLM
You remember Samantha?
A moment as they try to recall.
BEN
From school?
MALCOLM
Yeah.
HARRY
No way.
JAMES
How did that happen?
An odd look on Malcolms face as he tries to remember.
MALCOLM
I dont know. It just sort of
happened.

11.

HARRY
Hmm. It feels the same with Ellen.
One day youre friends and the
next, youre just head over heels.
A skeptical look on Ben and James face.
BEN
(sarcastic)
Sure.
HARRY
What?
BEN
Nothing.
MALCOLM
(intrigued)
No really. What did you mean by
that?
Ben sighs.
BEN
I just dont believe in that.
JAMES
Yeah. That seems a little
ridiculous.
Harry and Malcolm are visually offended.
HARRY
Ridiculous? How can you say that?
JAMES
That just doesnt seem reasonable.
BEN
Ive never met a woman that I can
say that about.
MALCOLM
You just havent met the right one.
James and Ben scoff loudly.
JAMES
Oh come on. Thats what everyone
says. I mean, what are the odds
that theres a person out there
thats exactly right for you?

12.

MALCOLM
Well -As Harry and Malcolm move to respond but something -happens. They struggle for a moment, their faces straining.
James and Ben are stunned. Speechless, as they watch.
Then they glaze over. James and Ben look to each other,
flabbergasted.
For a moment they just sit there, unblinking and completely
still. Ben and James cant even move.
Then they start muttering something, quietly to themselves,
in unison. We cant hear it but it is creepy.
Slowly, they start to come back. They blink slowly,
recovering.
And theyre back to normal. Sipping their drinks like nothing
happened. Ben and James look at each other, still just
dumbstruck.
HARRY
Hey who are you guys gonna come
with?
...
JAMES
What?
HARRY
To the wedding. Who are you going
to bring?
Ben stares at him.
BEN
Are you... Do you not...
HARRY
What?
He blinks for a moment, thinking.
BEN
(suddenly)
I need the bathroom.
He shoots up to his feet, gesturing to James. He takes a
moment to get it.

13.

JAMES
Oh right. Yeah me too.
He stands up and they head for the bathroom, looking back at
the table constantly as they walk away.
INT. BATHROOM - SAME TIME
Ben and James walk into the bathroom, closing the door behind
them.
JAMES
What the hell was that?
BEN
I dont know.
JAMES
That was the strangest -BEN
This whole thing is really weird.
Why are we the only ones here? I
didnt even hear he was engaged.
JAMES
And where the hell is everyone
else? It cant just be us.
BEN
Somethings going on.
EXT. BAR - LATER
The four guys stand outside the bar, ready to go home.
Theyre all pretty sober. It was a lame stag night.
HARRY
Well, Im off. Ellens going to be
waiting for me.
BEN
Well see you tomorrow.
JAMES
Yeah, have a good night.
MALCOLM
Im actually going to head back
too. Need to be well rested. Big
day tomorrow.

14.

Ben and James glance at each other.

BEN
That sounds like a good idea. Guess
thats it for the night.
JAMES
And Malcolm, congratulations.
MALCOLM
Thanks.
The two go their separate ways.
Ben and James stand together, watching them go.
BEN
Which one should we follow?
JAMES
Lets split up. Ill take Malcolm
and you go with Harry.
BEN
Alright. Ill call you as soon as I
see anything.
JAMES
Good.
EXT. HOTEL - NIGHT
Malcolm gets out of a taxi, heading into the hotel. A few
moments later, another taxi pulls up and James steps out,
collar high above his ears, trying to be discreet.
He follows inside.
In front of us, a FIGURE steps forward. Clearly a woman,
judging by the high heels, but we cant tell much else.. The
woman stands for a moment, watching James.
Then she heads inside.
EXT. HARRYS HOUSE - NIGHT
Harry walks up to his door, taking out his keys. Ben watches
intently from a taxi across the street. Harry enters the
house.

15.

Ben quickly pays the man, getting out and slinking across the
road and around the house. He crouches low as he makes his
way around, passing under windows.
He reaches the back, stopping at the living room window. He
peeks into the house carefully. A deathly silence as he
observes.
Inside, Harry walks into the sitting room. ELLEN (25) sits on
the sofa, sulking. She notices him walk in, giving him the
cold shoulder.
He says something we cant hear, and she doesnt respond. He
looks at her, noticing her mood. His head drops and he moves
to the sofa, trying to comfort her.
It doesnt work. Shes cold as ice. Frustrated, he gets up,
anger building on his face. He starts yelling. His muffled
anger makes it to the window.
She turns to him, shocked at the outburst. Hes still going,
yelling louder and louder. She starts to look more and more
worried.
Its so fast. She shoots up, SMASHING A VASE ON HIS HEAD.
Harry collapses instantly, slumped over the sofa. She sighs
heavily, leaving the room. Bens eyes almost pop out as he
watches.
BEN
(whispered)
Holy shit.
She comes back inside, carrying a large handbag. She sets it
on the floor, struggling to move Harry onto the couch,
sitting upright.
She goes for her bag, taking out -- something.
Its mechanical but crude, a mess of wires, lights and metal.
She starts working, untangling the wires, sticking them on
Harrys head, chest and neck.
She places a metal bowl on his head. Ben stares on,
perplexed.
She plugs in the machine and it slowly starts lighting up.
She grabs a remote from the handbag, a hefty thing, and
proceeds to adjust the dials.
Then she presses a button and the machine begins to WHIR. The
lights go nuts, flashing wildly.

16.

Harry shoots up in his seat, eyes wide open. Ellen walks in

front of him.
She starts saying something. And he repeats it. Then she says
something else. And he repeats it.
Ben looks on in horror. He slowly backs away from the window,
reaching frantically for his phone.
He sprints to the road, dialling. He continues running down
the sidewalk with his phone to his ear. James picks up.
JAMES
Hey. Whats up.
BEN
(panicked)
James! Something fucked up is going
on! Harrys girlfriend just knocked
him out and then she put this shit
on his head and it was glowing and
he started repeating what she said
it was so fucked.
JAMES
Woah. Slow down.
BEN
Did anything happen with Malcolm.
JAMES
What are you talking about?
BEN
With Malcolm. Did anything weird
happen?
JAMES
Im not with Malcolm.
BEN
What? You were following him.
JAMES
No I wasnt.
BEN
Huh?
JAMES
I went straight home.
Ben stops, trying to understand.

17.

Then it dawn on him.

BEN
No.
He drops his phone turning around.
In front of him stands a WOMAN, wearing a hood. She holds a
bat in her hand.
Then it comes at him, way to fast to dodge.
And hes out.
CUT TO:
BLACK.
FADE IN:
INT. SOMEWHERE DARK Slowly, Bens eyes blink open. Hes groggy, his head hangs
low. Hes drained.
REVEAL
He sits tied to a chair, with several shadowy WOMEN attaching
nodes to his chest. We see the same bowl on his head. In
front of him the dim glow of a screen.
He realises whats going on desperately trying to shake free
from his ties. Hes too weak. He can barely move.
BEN
(slurred)
Stop!
They dont.
BEN (CONTD)
What are you doing?
They tighten his ropes, raising his head towards the screen
and locking it in a brace.
BEN (CONTD)
Who are you?!
A woman steps in front of him, hidden in the darkness.

18.

WOMAN
We are women.
BEN
What are you doing to me?
WOMAN
Were just going to... fix you.
She heads for the TV, turning it on. A weird TONE plays,
followed by several blinking dots.
BEN
What is this? Whats happening.
WOMAN
Dont worry. Itll be over soon.
She grabs a remote on the table, adjusting the dials.
BEN
Please. Dont do this.
She stops adjusting the dials, turning to Ben.
WOMAN
Believe me. This is for your own
good.
She presses a button and immediately Ben shoots up in his
seat. The lights start up, the TONE gets louder and they TV
starts flashing images very quickly.
She steps out, closing the door behind her.
Ben sits there SCREAMING for help. Tears start streaming down
his face as he slowly gives up.
CUT TO:
BLACK.

FADE IN:
INT. COFFEE SHOP - DAY
Its bright. Ben sits at a table, sipping a coffee whilst
working on his laptop.

19.

A few moments later, Jane (from the date) walks in, chipper
and walks up behind Ben.
She reaches him, dropping down and kissing him on the cheek.
Ben smiles turning around.
BEN
Hey baby. What happened?
JANE
Oh I got stuck in traffic.
He stands up, hugging her tightly. He pulls out a chair for
her.
BEN
You want any coffee?
JANE
No thanks. Im good.
Ben smiles sitting down. He goes back to typing. Jane looks
at him, eyes narrowed. He notices the look, turning to her.
BEN
What?
JANE
You said no work.
BEN
Im sorry. Its just an emergency
came up so I have to get this done.
He goes back to typing again. Jane isnt pleased.
JANE
You promised.
BEN
I know I did, but this is really
important.
JANE
So, more important than me?
BEN
I didnt say that. This is just
more urgent.
JANE
Well you promised.

20.

BEN
What dont you get? I have to
finish this, its an emergency. I
mean seriously JANE
(stern)
Benjamin Collins.
Ben stops short, stiffening in his seat. His eyes glaze over.
JANE (CONTD)
You will stop working and you will
spend quality time with me.
BEN
I will stop working and I will
spend quality time with you.
JANE
Good. You can come back now.
Ben blinks, looking around in slight confusion. The confusion
fades and he looks down at his computer, then up at Jane.
BEN
You know what. This can wait.
He closes the laptop, turning to her with a smile.
BEN (CONTD)
So, howve you been?
As she starts to talk, smiling broadly, we slowly PULL BACK
from them, getting a view of all the other couples in the
shop.
We pull back further, leaving the shop and PANNING ACROSS the
couples walking together on the street. Each of them
laughing, smiling and just having a great time.
We flash across several different men, each arm in arm with a
woman, in different areas, across shopping malls,
restaurants, having picnics or
And deep in their eyes, each and every one of them, lies a
deep deep sadness.
CUT TO:
BLACK.
TITLE:

BALL AND CHAIN