Jude and Jeremy
A short play excerpt
CUT TO: (EXT.)DAY - OUTSIDE JEREMY'S HOTEL
JEREMY stands facing his hotel, he is a resident there, it's a pink and yellow building with a large clock in the centre. The clock reads 7.34am.
JEREMY turns quickly and begins walking up the street, hands in pockets of his bright blue coat. JEREMY's hair a bright orange, turns a head or two. He stumbles and catches himself. He laughs out loud. He hums to a song.
JEREMY jumps up the steps, presses play on his walkman, the headphones blend with his hair.
MUSIC PLAYS: (TRACK 1: Walking on a dream by Empire of the sun)
The camera pans out to reveal a grand building that stands out amongst the grey of the city. A green roof and covered in windows.
BRIGHT RED TITLE CARD: 'JUDE AND JEREMY'
JEREMY disappears over the steps.
CUT TO: (INT.) DAY - INSIDE THE STATE LIBRARY/MUSEUM
JEREMY walks through the entrance hall, he manoeuvres around skeletons of dinosaurs and glass creatures and then further through a revolving door, completely unfazed by the extraordinary objects around him. He works there. Finally the camera stops outside a door that says 'staff,' JEREMY enters.
CUT TO: (INT.) DAY - INSIDE THE STATE LIBRARY/MUSEUM
JUDE sits behind the administration window, she is glowing and beautiful and wearing something green, reading intently; the book is revealed 'The Metropolitan woman' By Jude G. (herself) The clock behind her reveals 7.46am. JEREMY almost bounces in front of her to clock on.
JEREMY
(grinning wildly) Good read?
JUDE
(without moving) You're late.
JEREMY
(He is smiling now) I brought you an orange.
He quickly reaches into his pocket and reveals a vibrant orange.
JEREMY (CONT.)
I bought it off Giuessepi. We should go there for a coffee.
JUDE
(agitated) Mm.
JEREMY, realising JUDE is really not in the mood, awkwardly adjusts himself and places the orange in front of her by the window.
JEREMY
(sliding away) You know where to find me.
HARD CUT TO: (EXT.) NIGHT - JUDE'S APARTMENT WINDOW
A large square window is in frame, warm lighting and people dressed in eccentric clothing walk around the room. Muffled music is playing. There is a small party. People are drinking and smoking. JUDE crosses into frame and is talking to people. JEREMY enters through the front door.
CUT TO: (INT.) NIGHT - JUDE'S APARTMENT
The music is apparent now as JEREMY struggles to close the large door behind him with flowers and a bottle in his hands. He slowly walks through the hallway, its dark and the walls are lined with paintings. A couple crosses in front of him obstructing his pathway. He awkwardly shuffles around the pair. Visibly taken aback by the intensity of the party and its patrons.
MUSIC PLAYS: (TRACK 2: People by The 1975)
JEREMY ventures further into the apartment, eventually making it into the kitchen where people are cooking and sitting on the bench-top. He scans the room for JUDE, unsuccessful.
HARD CUT TO: Someone snapping their fingers in his face, slicing his attention. Its COUNTY, he has a buzzcut and offers JEREMY a very full glass of wine.
COUNTY raises the glass, suggesting a cheers.
COUNTY
Here my friend, skull.
JEREMY reluctantly takes the glass and drinks, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
JEREMY
(wincing) That's not wine.
COUNTY
(laughing, mockingly) you're so clever.
JEREMY
Jude?
COUNTY
(shouting) Huh?
JEREMY
(shouting) Jude? Where is she?
COUNTY shuffles and swings his legs around the other side of the counter-top, knocking off the fruit bowl. JEREMY instinctively goes to clean up the mess. COUNTY struggling, tries to roll a cigarette.
COUNTY
(shouting with a filter in his mouth) JUUUDEEEEY!
JUDE, located in the corner of her apartment building taking photographs of a person against a window watches the entire scene unfold. COUNTY still cannot locate her and begins hoisting himself up on top of the countertop. kneeling he shouts again.
JUDE steps over the person on the couch, her foot tangles in their scarf as she pulls out a seat at the kitchen counter. COUNTY leans over and kisses her.
JUDE
Hello Jeremy.
JEREMY
(flustered) Hello.
JEREMY swiftly offers JUDE the flowers.
JEREMY
Here.
JUDE
Oh. Ta.
JUDE hands the flowers to COUNTY who jumps off the counter-top and runs down the hallway. Both watch as he bounces away. JEREMY'S eyes dart between JUDE and his surroundings rapidly, trying to make sense of the people around him.
JUDE
(smiling) Thanks for all the gifts today. May I take your picture?
JEREMY
(nervous) My what? Oh god no. Why?
JUDE
Because.
JEREMY
But why?
JUDE
Because you have an interesting face.
JEREMY leans against the counter and fiddles with a lighter feeling self-conscious.
JEREMY
Jude, it makes me uncomfortable.
JUDE
(giggling drunk) You shouldn't be uncomfortable around me. Get rid of your insecurities. (laughing) Just get rid of them.
JEREMY
(chuckling) Oh yeah? Then tell me about your book.
JEREMY struck a nerve, JUDE'S persona changes she rises from her seat.
JUDE
(offended) Enjoy the party.
JUDE turns to JEREMY smiling menacingly, takes the bottle he walked in with and struts down the corridor out of sight. JEREMY looks displeased. The lights suddenly go out, all music stops and all party goers make noise, the only light is from the window and the lit cigarettes.
There is a pause of silence, someone inhales and exhales smoke, illuminated by the outside lights. JEREMY follows JUDE quietly down the hallway and peers around the corner. She is being gently pushed into the hallway chest of drawers by a figure, they're suddenly kissing. JEREMY backs away returning to a seat in the kitchen.
The lights suddenly come back on, music plays. Everyone is in motion except JEREMY who is sitting where JUDE was, stunned, a cheeky grin arrives on his face.
CUT TO: (INT.) MORNING - JUDE'S MESSY APARTMENT
JUDE, fully dressed, sits at her breakfast table, the smoke from her coffee is casting shadows on the wall beside her. She is winding up an unwound and broken tape, a Panasonic tape recorder sits beside her as do a pile of books. The camera pans out to reveal her trashed apartment, people sleeping on the floor, bottles and candle-wax is all over the crates used as a coffee table.
JEREMY walks into the kitchen and rearranges things on the counter top.
JUDE
(focused) Morning.
JEREMY takes a seat at JUDE'S table facing her, his hair is an absolute tragedy, spikes and curls are everywhere. He looks VERY tired, holding a coffee he is half awake. He smiles at JUDE. She laughs to herself.
The two sit in the morning sun.
JEREMY
You can take my picture now.
He lights a cigarette, offers her the packet and throws it on the table. JUDE turns to him, taking in his features, she cocks her head to the side.
JUDE
Okay. Don't move.
JUDE jumps up and retrieves her camera, (a gorgeous Argus film camera) JEREMY watches her. She kneels in front of him, they stare at each other intently.
JUDE
Talk to me, tell me a story.
JEREMY
Okay. (Thinking) I remember watching something the other night in Saul's.
JUDE
(She laughs) The sandwich shop?
JEREMY
Yes. The sandwich shop. There were two people talking at a party I think, on a balcony, it was difficult to read the subtitles on the telly but I think I got the gist of the scene.
JUDE takes a photograph, clicking as she winds up the camera film.
JUDE
Mmhmm.
JEREMY
Aaand, basically these two people are talking about life and consequences and then suddenly, the guy who is wrapped in a blanket jumps off the balcony.
JUDE
Oh.
JEREMY
Yeah. But he fell onto the balcony below. Its pretty tragic but also a little funny? Not funny, it wasn't comedic AT ALL but there is an element of humour to the situation. Or I guess a spiritual moment? Trying to essentially get rid of himself in this world but it not working. If you want to believe he wasn't meant to die that evening.
JUDE takes another photograph. Nodding.
JUDE
Quite a calamity.
JEREMY grunts in agreement, inhales his cigarette.
JUDE
Jeremy. Tell me you hate me.
He looks at her quickly, hesitantly. His lips part, he licks them moist. She snaps a photo.
JEREMY
I can't.
CUT TO: (EXT.) MORNING - PELLEGRINI'S ESPRESSO BAR
JEREMY crosses into frame, stands outside the window, waves and enters, a bell chimes the door slams.
JUDE crosses into frame from other direction and walks past the shop.
JEREMY exits with two coffees in his hand and a takeaway bag.
JEREMY
(shouting) Ciao!
He struts in the direction of JUDE.
HARD CUT TO: The paperback book shop and the alley way next to it.
HARD CUT TO: A woman on a small vintage typewriter sitting outside another cafe, writing.
HARD CUT TO: Outside of the Subway steps, JUDE in her orange coat can be seen descending the stairs. JEREMY hastily follows after her.
CUT TO: (INT.) MORNING - THE BUSTLING SUBWAY PLATFORM
JUDE is standing in the crowd of people, her coat picks her out from the crowd, JEREMY spots her instantly as he enters. He pauses momentarily holding the two coffees, appreciating her. Smiling he approaches her from behind.
JEREMY
(semi-shouting) JUDE!
JUDE turns her head to the side. Searching for the voice. JEREMY brushes against her shoulder, hands her the coffee. She takes it slowly and smiles shyly. Surprised and flattered by the gesture.
JUDE
Good morning to you.
The train screeches to a halt, the crowd swarms onto the train erratically. The two move with them.
JEREMY
Hold this.
He hands her his coffee, he is looking for something in his bag, keys can be heard falling, he bends to pick them up and is lost in the moving people. JUDE boards the train. The train doors close in front of her face as she watches JEREMY touch the glass from the other side, trying to pry the door open. JUDE stands holding the two coffees inside the train.
JUDE mouths a 'goodbye.'
About the Creator
Madison Dell'aquila
Writing about spiders at the bottom of your glasses and why your hands are green.
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