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SCRIPT-DERANGE
INT. DARK ROOM
The shot is black and all that is perceptible is the sound of heavy,
panicked breathing.
GIRL
Wwhere am I?
WOMAN
(A soft, patronising voice coos, with undertones of maliciousness)
Dont worry child, soon youll feel no pain at all
GIRL
Wwhat?
There is a sharp intake of breath
WOMAN
Its time the world became a little lesswretched
GIRL
No, stop! I dont want this! Please, aha, please
dont haha, please hahaha, plea-haha
The words are choked and become barely audible as the sentences become
more and more incomprehensible. The laughter becomes louder, manic and
psychotic. Shot fades to white, the laughter fades out, echoing as it does
to instil fear in the audience.
EXT. THE COUNTRYSIDE
Ambient diegetic sound plays-wind, birds, trees moving etc. The first shot
we see is a weapon (a machete), which is shortly retrieved by Alicia.
ALICIA
(Voice-over)
Its been 37 days since the outbreak began. The
mentors introduced a new drug, to combat what they
called the vindictive nature of pain and anger,
what our society was built on. It worked well.
People were soon content; peace and prosperity were
the virtues of this world. Then it happened. The
process was no longer voluntary, it was mandatory.
Suddenly people had an adverse reaction to the
drug. Where once people had a right to feel what

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they wanted, say what they wanted, delirium took
place.
Throughout the voice-over we see quick cuts of Alicia walking in a country
environment, switched (quick cuts) with shots of psychotic people
screaming and running towards the screen. Alicia sits down, staring at a
crumpled photo with a grief-stricken expression. The photo shows Alicias
family happily staring out at her miserable form. A tear falls onto the
photo, followed by a close up shot of Alicia wiping away the tears
streaming down her face.
(Voice-over continues)
It consumed those lost to the Archenda. Their
humanity dissolved by the psychotic thoughts that
now penetrated their minds.
She looks up and bites down on her lip, fighting the urge to cry. The
sharp sound of feet on gravel causes Alicia to leap to her feet. She turns
quickly, holding the machete out, standing resolute and guarded. We are
introduced to Michael, holding his hands out defensively, knees bent
slightly. A smile plays on his lips. Alicia lets out a breath, deflating
with relief. Michael saunters over, now smiling broadly. His eyes flick to
the photo in her hand. His smile drops.
MICHAEL
Alicia
Sighs
look, there was nothing you could do
Alicia avoids making eye-contact with Michael. She tries to look anywhere
but at him. Alicia tries to hold back more tears.
ALICIA
II
Michael steps closer and brings up a hand to cup her face. Softly he rubs
his thumb across her cheek, masterfully wiping the tears rolling down her
face. The shot cuts to a close up of his face staring at her, concerned.
Alicias expression is one of surprise and puzzlement. Suddenly he blinks,
as if in a reverie. Michael quickly looks down, clearly embarrassed. His
hand drops to his side. It flexes for a moment before regaining a natural
position.
His other hand reaches out for the machete in her hand. Alicia flinches
from the soft graze of his hand on hers before handing him the weapon.
MICHAEL
(Michael secures the machete to his belt, avoiding Alicias gaze)
Were running out of supplies

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Alicia nods, eyes closed, and strangely wary of her friend. She walks over
to Michael and in turn, walks out of shot.
EXT. THE COUNTRYSIDE
Next scene, in a familiar urban/ country environment. The pair are in view
of the 2 Archans and a group of psycho-people.
ALICIA
Shit!
The pair stop to process the situation.
MICHAEL
Remember
ALICIA
I know Michael
He looks at her, head tilted down as if to mock her. Alicia huffs in
annoyance and rolls her eyes.
ALICIA
They do not feel emotion, nor do they sense it.
They are not harmful yet they are stupid. Nothing
is more dangerous. The Archans sense resistance,
they know, trickery is our only hope. To survive we
can only fool them, show indifference when we meet
them and most importantly we must never show
weakness.
Thats it, isnt it? (Sarcastic tone)
Michael gives an appraised nod. He continues walking, looking straight
forward before dropping his head to the floor, hiding the smile that
escapes him.
As the two near the group a man (extra 1) reaches for Alicias hair. He
inhales deeply, eyes fluttering as he does so. His head turns so it sits
canted on his right. Michael stiffens beside Alicia and his smile falters
an inch. They continue walking. Abruptly the man grabs her arm. Michael
lunges at extra 1. Extra 1 stares on at Michael whose hands are buried in
his collar, knuckles turning white. The Archans turn to the sound of the
commotion. Archan 2s neck clicks violently as he cocks it sideways. The
Archans approach the scene.
ALICIA
Michael!
Michael whips around, to see the two Archans approaching him. As he turns
Michael goes to throw a punch which is quickly rebuffed by an Archan. The
archans grab at his arms, intending to pull him away.

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MICHAEL
GO!
ALICIA
But Michael!
Alicia goes to run forward.
MICHAEL
Run Alicia!
Alicia looks around, troubled. Slowly she backs away but cant find it in
herself to leave him. Michael starts to break free.
MICHAEL
RUN!
Alicia sprints away. Unbeknown to her, just as Michael escapes from the
Archans extra 1 wraps his arms around Michael. He struggles to reach for
the weapon which is taken from him by Archan 1. Michael is pushed to his
knees. He tugs forwards from Archan 1s grip but his head is pulled
harshly back, making escape all the more difficult. Extra 1 drops in front
of him, placing his face directly in front of Michaels.
ARCHAN 1
Archenda was made to solve this
(Breathes heavily, breath rattling)
this violence and painto make people happy
(More heavy breathing)
why cant you see thatwhy dont you want that?
MICHAEL
What?!
Michaels head lurches forward. Archan 1 pulls it harshly back.
(Continues)
How can I be happy in a world where I cant feel
any other form of emotion, something that makes me
human?!
ARCHAN 2
The girl
(Heavy breathing)
you are fond of her
MICHAEL

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Dont you dare touch her!
Michael tries to worm his way free, to no avail.
ARCHAN 1
If only you accept the treatment, then your pain
will be a trouble no more
(Heavy breathing)
ARCHAN 2
join us
Michael chuckles
MICHAEL
You dont get it do you?
(More laughter- a mocking tone)
No matter what you say, and no matter what you do
to project this wholesome image, sanctifying your
actions, how can I believe in it? Never. It sickens
me! Dya hear that?!
He looks around wildly, smiling, with tears forming in his eyes.
Its just a load of fucking bullMichaels sentence is cut short as Archan 1 slits his throat. Blood
splatters onto extra 1s face. Slow motion editing shows Michaels body
drop to the floor with a resounding thud.
ALICIA
NOOOOOOOOO!
The shot cuts to Alicia. A high pitched sound effect is used. The Archans
heads dart in her direction. As they begin to walk towards her,
incidental music plays in the background, growing in intensity and volume.
Archan 1 wipes Michaels blood from the blade onto his trousers, as his
face contorts into a callous smile.
The shot cuts to black.
MICHAEL
Alicia? Alicia!
Shot fades in from black.
INT. SMALL ROOM
Through a point-of-view-shot taken from Alicias perspective, Michael
stares into the lens with a worried expression.
MICHAEL

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Oh thank god, youre awake!
Pause
You had that dream again didnt you. Its got
worsewhen you passed outII thought Id lost you
Michael huffs out a half-hearted laugh.
MICHAEL
Oh, you have a little something in your hair
Michael reaches out to the camera, obscuring most of what is seen.
At least it was just a dream
He retracts his hand. A sharp, quick, incidental diegetic sound is used as
we see that behind Michael is the malign face of extra 1, with blood still
plastered on his face. The shot cuts to black. The credits fade in and
eerie, non-diegetic music plays.

END