SCENE 1:
THEME MUSIC FADES IN, LASTS 30 SECONDS, FADE OUT.
SFX: INTERIOR HOUSE, FADED TELEVISION, BOILING PANS, GENERAL HOME SOUNDS. LOWER DURING DIALOUGE.
MOTHER
(SHOUTS) Harry, Georgia, dinner will be ready soon, go wash your hands please.
SFX: PLATES CLASHING, WATER DRAINING, PLAYFUL CHATTER.
CHILDREN SEATED AT THE TABLE, CHAIR DRAG.
GEORGIA
Will you come to the play mummy? I’m playing Gretel, thats a big part with LOADS of words. Do you know the story of Hansel and Gretel mummy?….
LONG PAUSE
(AS TALKING GET FASTER) ….Well theres a girl called Gretel thats me, and a boy called Hansel that’s Thomas Brown, which I am not happy about because he has to play my brother and I want Harry to be Hansel because he is my brother. (DEEP BREATH) Well anyway I have to….
MOTHER
Georgia will you shut up an eat your dinner! (SIGH) I’m trying to sort all these bills.
SFX: PAPER RUSTLE, CLATTER AS CUTLRY SCRAPES THE PLATES.
SCENE 2:
SFX: PHONE RING.
MOTHER
Hello….
(PAUSE)
Work, when?
(PAUSE)
Well, I will have to see if someone can look after the kids.
SFX: RUSTLE PAPERS.
(SIGH)..Yes okay, ill be in soon.
SFX: PHONE BEEPING AS PRESSING BUTTONS.
MOTHER
Hi Sally, are you busy?…
Oh right, not to worry then. Just i’ve been called into work….
Yeah okay, well I hope your mum gets better soon..
SFX: PHONE BEEP AS CALL ENDED.
SFX: PHONE BEEPING AS PRESSING BUTTONS.
MOTHER
Hello David, is Chrissy their?….
Hi Chrissy it’s Katy, are you busy?…
I’ve been called into work….
I see, okay, well i’ll see you soon….
SFX: PHONE BEEP AS CALL ENDED.
(SIGH)
HARRY
Are you okay mummy?
MOTHER
Yes Harry. (PAUSE) Right kids I have to pop out for a while, i’ll be back for a story and bed. So you two just stay here watch a film or play with your toys, but do not leave this house. (EMPHISIS ON THE “DO NOT”)
HARRY
You mean we get to stay in the house on our own?
MOTHER
Yes, and your not to leave the house please promise me kids.
HARRY AND GEORGIA
I promise.
MOTHER
Good. I wont be long.
SFX: KISS THE CHILDREN, RATTLE OF KEYS, DOOR SHUT.
SCENE 3:
SFX: TELEVISION, CHATTER BETWEEN THE CHILDREN.
HARRY
I’m bored. (DRAG THE WORD ‘BORED’)
GEORGIA
Me too, we watched this film like a trillion times, its rubbish.
SFX: TURN TELEVISION OFF, TIEING SHOE LACES.
GEORGIA
What are you doing? Mummy said we have to stay here, we promised.
HARRY
Yeah but she isnt here and we’re bored, so we can just go to the park for five mins, she will never know.
GEORGIA
But Harry we will be in trouble.
HARRY
Well im going to the park, you can stay here on your own.
GEORGIA
Wait for me.
SFX: TIEING OF SHOE LACES, DOOR SHUT.
SCENE 4:
SFX: DISTANT CARS, RUSTY SWINGS, OUTDOOR AMBIENCE.
GEORGIA
Push me higher Harry!
HARRY
No its my go Georgia, stop hogging the swing.
SFX: OWL, CONTINUE DISTANT TRAFFIC.
HARRY
It’s getting dark, we should go.
SCENE 5:
SFX: WATER FROM A WATERING CAN.
OLD LADY (WITCH)
Thats all the jobs done, was easier when Arthur was here.
SFX: DISTANT CARS, RUSTY SWINGS, OUTDOOR AMBIENCE.
GEORGIA
Harry look at that house…looks like the cottage in my school play. See the shutters on the windows, they have gingerbread men cut out. Wow lets get a closer look.
SFX: FOOTSTEPS BEGIN TO FADE INTO DISTANT.
HARRY
Wait, dont go an closer, theres a woman. She might be like the witch.
GEORGIA
Dont be silly, thats just a story…
SFX:FOOTSTEPS
Hello im Georgia….
SCENE 6:
SFX: KEYS UNLOCKING A DOOR, OPEN AND SHUT.
MOTHER
I’m back! (shout)…
SFX: FOOTSTEPS IN AND OUT ROOM, UP AND DOWN STAIRS.
Harry….Georgia (shout)
Stop playing now!
Come out right now!!
SFX: FOOTSTEPS IN AND OUT ROOM, UP AND DOWN STAIRS.
Georgia…Harry! (panic).
(gasp) shoes (panic).
SFX: PHONE BEEPING AS PRESSING BUTTONS.
MOTHER
Hello police…
SCENE 7:
SFX: OUTDOOR NIGHT AMBIENCE.
OLD WOMAN (WITCH)
Hello Georgia, i’m Patricia but you can call me Pat. (softly)
And who is this young man?
HARRY
I’m Harry and we are going…
GEORGIA
Your house looks like the cottage in my school play, im playing Gretel from Hansel and Gretel. I’m the lead so I have lots of words to remember. Have you heard the story?
OLD WOMAN (WITCH)
Oh yes, I think I still have the storybook. Do you want to come in and see?
HARRY
No we should go.
GEORGIA
Shut up Harry, do you have children Pat?
OLD WOMAN (WITCH)
No I dont (sadly)
SCENE 8:
SFX: SOUNDSCAPE, RETRO 1930’S MUSIC BLURRED, BABY CRYING, WOMAN COOING AT CHILD.
OLD WOMAN (YOUNG)
Arthur she wont settle (panic)
shushhh Rose shhhhush…
She’s boiling up, I think there’s something wrong.
SFX: FUNERAL MARCH.
OLD WOMAN (YOUNG)
Oh we didn’t do enough Arthur. (sob)
SFX: HOSPITAL AMBIENCE.
DOCTER
I’m sorry Mrs Jenkings but you cant have children.
SCENE 9:
SFX: MUSIC TO BRING US TO PRESENT DAY.
OLD WOMAN (WITCH)
There you go Rose..i mean Georgia, the Hansel and Gretel book.
HARRY
Who’s Rose?
OLD WOMAN (WITCH)
Ah, just someone I use to know, Georgia reminds me of her.