purge - poems and short stories

Hellbending - Film Script

1. EXT. HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS GROUNDS - DAY

The empty footy oval of a West Footscray public school. A final-warning bell stops ringing. It's the start of Period 4 and the second-last day of school. Three young girls are wearing Year 12 letterman jackets - they are tying one end of a sagging banner to a goal post.

The banner reads in lopsided VisComm paintwork, 'Good Luck Year 12's! We Did It?' The last exclamation point is squiggly like it's excited. Or confused.

One girl (18) is perched on a ladder, straining to loop the cord around the pole. She wears a 'School President' badge on her lapel. The back of her jacket reads 'Class of 2014', and underneath it, 'SHAYBEAR'. Her two friends (18) hold the ladder steady while giving instructions, each wearing 'Student Rep' badges. The backs of their jackets read 'KEKE' and 'MEGHATRON'.

KEKE 

Still crooked.

Shaybear leans back to inspect her work.

MEGHATRON 

Go higher.

OLLY (19), a boy with shaggy hair and a slouch, cuts through the oval and makes his way back to campus. Hands in his pockets and whistling. He passes the three student reps fussing with their banner and seems not to notice them. Then, mimicking the girls' conspiratorial tone-

OLLY 

Bit more to the left.

He is wearing a letterman jacket, shirt and tie, jocks, and shoes. No pants. No socks. His knobbly knees are out for the world to see.

The three girls stop to watch him pass, unfazed.

SHAYBEAR 

Hey, Olly.

CUT TO:

2. INT. PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE - DAY

Olly sits in an office with yellowing walls, fluorescent tube lighting, and dusty shelves. His letterman jacket is draped over his legs. He watches his old pal and nemesis, PRINCIPAL ASAD (early 50's), pace back and forth from the other side of a cluttered desk.

PRINCIPAL ASAD 

I wonder what you take more for granted. My time? My patience? State government resources?

OLLY 

My gym shorts. They're in my locker. I'll go get them.

Olly stands up. His jacket falls off and his pale legs are free. Principal Asad, using what's left of his ageing authority, points a stern finger at Olly.

PRINCIPAL ASAD 

Sit down or I'll expel you.

Slowly, Olly sits.

PRINCIPAL ASAD 

[quietly, trying to control his voice] Where are your trousers, Olly?

OLLY