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Darkness. Sound of retreating footsteps. A child-like wail. This continues through the next scene. Lights up on a huge projection on the back wall. This screen shows moving terrain. In front of the screen, a man, back to the audience is running. (If in the round, the man should never make eye contact with the audience unless he is making a speech) He struggles with the hills, leaps over stiles. Crawls into mud. The man comes to a stop, breathing heavily. Sound of cheering though the sound of crying is still audible. |
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Voice-over: |
And the winner on this novice course is sixteen-year-old Peter Doyle. |
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The man/boy shyly turns to audience, receives a medal and,
kissing it, he holds it close before raising it in the air
and displaying it to the audience. More cheers. Black. The same as before. Back to the audience Peter is running. This time though, the course consists of steep mountains, which gradually turn cold and dark. In the background there is the faint sound of an argument. The argument grows in volume throughout the scene but remains inaudible. Peter runs harder. He comes to a stop. Cheering. |
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Voice-over: |
A man who knows where he is every step of the way – the new
Irish Champion – PEEEETER DOYLE! |
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Cheers. Turning to the audience Peter takes a large trophy and kisses it. A moment of private triumph before raising it in the air as before. Calls of speech. Peter shrugs modestly. |
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Peter: |
Eh. . . thanks. I’ve always liked maps. I guess I find them
easy to read. Pause. You always know where you are
with a good map. |
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Cheers. Black. Lights up on flat, sandy, desert terrain. Peter is studying his map fiercely. This time, there are no markings. |
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Voice-over: |
Welcome to the World Orienteering Championships. |
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The sound of cheering. Peter begins to run. There are really loud voices underneath the cheering now. As the cheering dies away, the argument takes over. Peter begins to struggle under the strain. The arguing voices grow louder. |
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A woman shouts: |
You can’t turn your back on me Peter. |
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Peter stops running. Projection stops, there is a faint mirage
of a fountain at the top of the screen. Peter shakes his head to clear it. |
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Woman: |
Look at me. |
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Peter: |
(distracted and agitated) I have to see where I’m going. |
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He studies his map. |
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Woman: |
Put down the bloody map and listen. Put it down and listen.
I care about you, Peter. Don’t run away from this. You care too. |
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Peter stands still again. He looks terrified. |
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Woman: |
I swear, if you go out orienteering today, I’ll leave you.
Pause. Do you care enough about me for that? I’ll fuck off
the way your mother fucked off. |
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Very long silence. |
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Peter: |
slowly begins to lift up his map. (dejected? Resigned? Desperate?)
I have to see where I’m going. |
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Sound of footsteps walking away. Peter, back to the audience, begins to run again. The mirage crumbles. Silence. Black. |
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