PIPE DREAMS

By

Peter Hennessy
INT. SACRED HEART CHURCH – EVENING - 1

A Young Woman kneels silently at the front of quiet

church nave, light casting beams through the windows,
illuminating simple wooden pews.

She reacts almost undetectably as a figure enters from

the back of the church.

A Young Man walks half way up the church before pausing

briefly to lower his hood, and then continues on at a
slower and more thoughtful pace.

Kneeling down in the same pew as her, they share a moment

of silence.

YANA
Do you miss it?

He pauses, then decides to ignore the question.

NEVYN
You wanted to see me?

She turns to look at him for the first time, and her
answer is tinged with sadness.

YANA
I’m leaving…

He starts somewhat, then controls himself and calmly

inquires:

NEVYN
Leaving for where?

YANA
One of the Church Missions off world.

NEVYN
I suppose there’s no point trying to change your mind…
Despite the rhetorical nature of his question she
nevertheless shakes her head.

NEVYN
When?

YANA
Soon. Figured I should tell you that I can’t help
out anymore. I’m sorry to do this, but I just feel
like I can do some real good out there.

NEVYN bites his tongue and nods his head, looking down
and clasping his hands tightly together.

NEVYN
Yeah, of course, I understand, Good luck to you.

She reaches over and squeezes his shoulder, attempting a

smile.

YANA
Maybe one of the others can help you now…?

NEVYN
(looking over at her) You’re the only one who still talks
to me. I know it’s for his sake, not mine.

He gets up as if to go, but she quickly rises also and

asks with concern in her voice:

YANA
How is he?

NEVYN

(smiling) Surviving.

She watches him walk out of the church, before kneeling

back down, and joining her hands in prayer.
NEVYN steps outside, into a vast and urban area. He takes
one last look into the church before closing the door and
walking off. As he leaves the camera pulls back revealing
the extent of the megastructures overshadowing the
seemingly tiny church building.

TITLE CARD

INT/EXT. VARIOUS LOACTIONS – MONTAGE

- NEVYN gives out suspicious packets of an unknow

substance to mysterious individuals, receiving cash
in return.
- He sits in a dark place, illuminated by a screen’s
light, hacking something or other.
- With a pair of futuristic binoculars he watches
someone, taking snapshots often.
- Walking through a crowded area he bumps into
someone, discreetly pocketing their wallet.
- He meets with his criminal boss in an underground
location, giving him wallets, USB drives and photos.
He is paid, but as he goes to leave the boss calls
him back.

INT. NEVYN’S FLAT – NIGHT

NEVYN opens the door to his flat quietly, closing it

slowly behind him. He stops to take a gun out of his
jacket, hiding it away in a cupboard. He steps further
inside.

The flat is tiny, there is barely room for the furniture

contained: A desk, some kitchen appliances, a desk and
chair, and finally a bed, in which sits a boy.

NEVYN
Hey, what are you doing awake?

KELLEN
(shrugging) Couldn’t sleep.

NEVYN’s brow furrow with worry as he walks over to his

brother’s bedside.

NEVYN
Are you feeling alright? Is it hurting again?
KELLEN smiles and attempts to shrug off his brother’s
concern, quickly laying down on his side.

KELLEN
I’m fine! I’ll sleep now, don’t worry!

NEVYN relaxes and ruffles his brother’s messy hair, and

goes to sit down at the desk. He bows his head with
fatigue, beginning to take of his shoes/boots.

KELLEN
(yawning) Oh, I’ve run out of the pills.

NEVYN pauses and sits up, not looking at his brother, not
wanting to show his worry.

NEVYN
Oh, I’ll get you some more tomorrow, after work.
Will you be ok until then?

KELLEN
(Tiredly Murmuring) Mhhm

Deep in thought, and utterly exhausted, NEVYN stares

intently forward.

CUT TO:

INT. TRAIN – DAY

Those same eyes look emotionlessly out of the train

window as it hurtles through the city’s urban expanse.

He sits in an empty carriage, now dressed in a well-used

boiler suit, an industrial mask clipped to his belt.

He is jolted to life by a robotic female voice, blasting

over the Tanoy, first in English then various other
languages.

TRAIN SYSTEM

WARNING: Approaching Industrial zone, Toxicity

level high. Please Ensure you have a breathing mask
fitted before exiting the train.
On cue, NEVYN pulls on his mask effortlessly, something
he has done many a time. He leaves the train and steps
into a large, nearly empty station.

INT/EXT. VARIOUS LOCATIONS – DAY - MONTAGE

- NEVYN leaves the station and walks through empty

streets. The air is dense with a misty quality.
Cloaked and masked individuals pass him hurriedly as
he goes to his workplace.
- He greets the distant figure of a fellow worker,
also masked and in overalls.
- We see the dark, quiet apartment, KELLEN in bed
still.
- NEVYN gets to work on some industrial machinery.
- KELLEN begins to stir in his sleep.
- NEVYN still working hard, wiping his brow.
- His brother suddenly jerks awake, squirming in pain
and falling out of bed. He crawls over the floor to
a bag.
- NEVYN working hard still.
- KELLEN, still grimacing with pain, rummages in the
bag and draws out a small electronic device and
activates it, causing its green light to turn red.
- NEVYN suddenly stops working, pulling a matching
device from his overalls. Throwing down his work he
rushed from the building, ignoring the cries of his
boss to come back.
- He rushes back through the streets.
- KELLEN’s condition worsens as he begins to convulse
violently.
- NEVYN stands in the train, rushing out and tearing
off his mask when the doors open.
- A shadow falls over KELLEN’s prone body.
- NEVYN rushes through streets, finally arriving at
his run-down apartment building.

INT. THE APARTMENT – DAY

NEVYN sprints into the lift, watching the floor number

rise agitatedly. The door opens and he runs down the
corridor to his apartment. The door to his apartment is
ajar, causing him to slow down for a moment, a look of
confusion on his face. He quickly continues inside.
He bursts into the room and stops suddenly, his crazed,
anxious expression replaced by one of weary relief.

KELLEN sleeps in bed, while by his side is sat YANA, one

hand on KELLEN’s, the other holding a small prayer book.

She looks up at NEVYN as he enters, raising a finger to

her lips.

NEVYN stands for a moment as if paralysed, before

slumping to his knees on the floor, his head in his
hands.

INT. OUTSIDE THE APARTMENT – EVENING

YANA stands alone on a balcony overlooking the city.

Leaning on the concrete wall she turns as NEVYN steps out
to join her. They both look out in silence.

YANA
You know how important that medication is.

NEVYN
It was one day, Yana. I was gonna get more on
the way home tonight.

YANA
Thought we’d agreed that you’d keep it stocked
so this wouldn’t happen again.

NEVYN
They put the price up again. I had to start
rationing it. (frustrated) Heck, I don’t know
why I don’t just steal the stuff.

She turns to him in some frustration.

YANA
Because you’re a good person, Nevyn!
You don’t need to sell your soul to that
life any more than you already have. Here.

She pulls a bottle of pills out of her coat, forcing it

into his hand. He takes it gratefully.
 NEVYN
Thank you.

YANA
This was the last time, ok? I’m going to be
gone in a few weeks, and I need you to promise
me that you will look after him.

NEVYN
You know I will.

YANA
(shakes her head) He can’t live here for
ever though. (Gestures to the building behind her)

NEVYN
I know, I know. I’m working on it, ok.
Just a few more months work, and I can
buy us a way out of here.

YANA
You still work at the foundry?

NEVYN takes a moment, then grunts confirmation of this.

She nods her approval in reply.

CUT TO:

A few moments prior to this, before stepping onto the

balcony, NEVYN looks at a flashing message on his phone’s
screen:

“JOB TERMINATED”

CUT BACK:

YANA straightens up and turns back to him, indicating she

intends to leave.

YANA
Your mum and dad would be proud of the effort
you make for him.

NEVYN forces a smile, before leading her back inside.

He waves goodbye to her, watching her walk away for a
moment.
Returning inside he goes over to the bed, climbing up and
sitting alongside his sleeping brother. He tilts his head
back and releases a long, drawn-out sigh.

Pulling the blanket to cover KELLEN better, NEVYN leans

down to him and says under his breath:

NEVYN

I’m gonna get you outta here, big man, whatever it

takes.

FADE TO BLACK:

EXT. UNDERGROUND MEETING PLACE – EVENING

Nevyn stands talking to the crime boss, his two hooded

henchmen standing menacingly behind him, one holding a
briefcase.

NEVYN

I’m here about that job you offered me.

BOSS

Ah yes, glad you’ve finally come to your senses.

There's a troublesome kid who needs to be made an
example of; you know who I mean?

Nevin nods solemnly in understanding.

BOSS

It will be ten times the usual payment, just

don’t screw it up, and remember...we know where
you live, both of you.

Nevyn nods once more, before turning and leaving.

EXT. A BACK ALLEY – NIGHT

A dark, dimly lit alley’s stillness is broken by the

pacing of Nevyn, as he readies his gun and anxiously
peaks around the corner of a building, raising his mask
to cover his face.

A man wearing a mask and headphones walks nonchalantly

down the alley. As he reaches the corner Nevyn leaps out
and strikes him to the ground with the butt of his
pistol, before standing menacingly over him as he cowers
in pain. Just before he finishes the job, a voice breaks
the silence.

KELLEN

Nevyn...!

Hearing his name being called he quickly looks up, and

for a moment thinks he sees his brother, standing alone
in the dark, but he rubs his eyes, and the image is gone.

After a moment he looks slowly back down to his still

cowering prey, now with a new look in his eyes.

Putting his gun back away he gestures for the man to

leave, carelessly kicking out at him. The man flees in
haste, leaving a slightly dazed Nevyn staring up at the
sky.

After a moment's thought, a look of resolve and

determination comes over him, and he redraws his weapon,
walking off with speed and purpose.

INT. UNDERGOUND MEETING PLACE – NIGHT

The boss and his henchmen are deep in conversation in

their underground meeting place, the walls grim and
concrete, the light dim and forbidding. when a noise
causes them to turn in surprise, they look over to the
entrance to see Nevin burst in, weapon drawn.

The boss moves as if to leave, a look of panic on his

face. One henchman goes to draw his gun. Quick as a flash
Nevin shoots all three, their bodies falling to the floor
one after the other like morbid dominoes.
Nevyn lowers his gun, satisfied with his work, and walks
over to the bodies, picking up the now ownerless
briefcase and once more leaving the building.

INT. THE APARTMENT – NIGHT

Kellen sleeps in his bed in the dark apartment. The

figure of his brothers looms over him, stooping to lift
him.

NEVYN

Kellen, we need to go

Nevyn slings his brother over his shoulder and leaves the
apartment quickly, the briefcase in one hand, the gun in
the other.

He rushes into the lift, the sounds of dangerous men

pursuing them.

The lift doors slowly close on an agitated figure,

wondering what lies ahead for him and his brother.

FIN