THE SHOPPING CENTRE THAT ATE LARA
Short Film
Email: [email protected]
In this era of rampant consumerism, many of us love to shop. Perhaps for the thrill of acquisition, the joy of a genuine bargain, or the energetic buzz of the people that surround us. But what happens when you have a more intimate relationship with your local shopping centre, than you do with any person?
THE SHOPPING CENTRE THAT ATE LARA
by
CAROLINE STILLS
FIRST DRAFT
© CAROLINE STILLS
Phone: (03) 9754 1999
Email: [email protected]
1. EXT. FRONT OF BLOCK OF FLATS. AFTERNOON
LARA, a young woman, collects her mail from the box in front of the block of flats where she lives. She gathers a large collection of catalogues into her arms before walking to her flat.
2. INT. LARA’S FLAT. AFTERNOON
Lara enters her flat. A cat rubs itself against her leg.
Lara throws her handbag on a couch and bends over to scratch her cat behind its ears with one hand, while she clasps the bundle of catalogues to her body with her other hand.
LARA
Hello, Fluffy. Did you have a
good day?
Lara moves to her small kitchen where she drops the catalogues on the table then opens a cat of cat food and spoons it into a pet-bowl on the floor.
LARA (CONT’D)
My day was as boring as usual.
Filing, filing and more filing.
Lara sits on a chair at the table, pen in hand, and starts perusing the catalogues.
LARA (CONT’D)
Now let’s see what bargains I can
find today.
She flicks over a few pages, using her pen to circle a photo of a black dress she likes. (camera pans so viewer can see the photo of the dress)
The phone rings.
Lara continues to look at her catalogues, as she reaches behind her to lift the phone from its mount on the wall.
LARA (CONT’D)
Hi Mum.
(brief pause as mother responds –
though viewer cannot hear her)
Not much. Just reading, um, a novel.
(pause)
This weekend? Maybe some shopping.
She looks up from her catalogues.
LARA (CONT’D)
No I don’t go shopping every day.
She raises her eyebrows as she looks at her cat.
LARA (CONT’D)
Stop worrying about me Mum.
I’m okay.
Lara uses her hand to knocks 3 times on
the table.
LARA (CONT’D)
Gotta go. That’ll be my friend
who’s coming over for dinner.
Yep. Bye Mum.
Lara hangs up the phone then looks at her cat.
LARA (CONT’D)
Why does she care how much I
shop? It’s better than sitting
around here by myself.
Lara bends down and strokes the cat’s back.
LARA (CONT’D)
Though you’re very good
company, Fluffy.
Speaking of shopping. I’d better
go. Only two hours ‘til they shut.
Lara stands, picks up the pile of catalogues and stuffs them into her handbag. She opens the door of her flat and leaves.
3. EXT. FRONT OF BLOCK OF FLATS. AFTERNOON
Lara walks from her flats to the front footpath.
4. EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. AFTERNOON
Lara walks along the footpath. She glances down at a catalogue she is holding as she walks.
5. EXT. FRONT OF LARGE SUBURBAN SHOPPNG COMPLEX (such as Chadstone or Knox City in Vic). AFTERNOON
(Show a shot of the shopping centre to show viewers where Lara is heading.)
6. EXT/INT. ENTRANCE OF SHOPPING CENTRE. AFTERNOON
Lara walks past the large automated sliding doors of
the shopping centre. As she enters the centre she stops for a moment, looking around her, her shoulders relax and a small smile appears on her face.
7. INT. CLOTHING BOUTIQUE CHANGE ROOM. AFTERNOON
Lara is standing in front of a mirror, looking at her own reflection, as she tries on the black dress she had circled in the catalogue earlier. An ATTENDANT from the boutique is standing behind her, smiling.
BOUTIQUE ATTENDANT
It looks great on you.
Is it for a special occasion?
LARA
I’m going out tomorrow night.
(she hesitates)
With, um, my new boyfriend
BOUTIQUE ATTENDANT
Lucky you. Good men are so hard
to find.
Lara smiles shyly. The attendant leaves to deal with another customer. Lara continues to look at herself in the mirror.
LARA
(whispers to herself)
If I buy it then I’ll have to
go out.
8. INT. FOOD COURT IN SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE AFTERNOON
Lara is sitting at a table in the food court, sipping a latte, as she looks through a jewellery catalogue that lies on the table in front of her. A bag (with the newly purchased dress) sits on one side of the table.
She stares longingly at the photo of a pair of diamond drop earrings.
(The camera pans in so the viewer can see the photo)
Suddenly the words “These would look great with your new black dress” appear below the photo.
Lara gasps, then blinks her eyes hard. When she opens her eyes the message is gone.
LARA
(yawning)
I’m obviously tired. Time to go home.
9. INT. LARA’S FLAT. MORNING
Lara wakes up, sits up with a yawn, and pets her cat, who is snuggled on the end of her bed.
Lara stands up, retrieves the black dress she bought the day before which is on a hanger nearby, and holds the dress up against her body. She looks at her reflection in the bedroom mirror.
LARA
(talking to her cat)
I’m wearing this tonight, Fluffy.
Carol at work told me about this
new bar in town. Not too sleazy.
Maybe I’ll meet someone nice.
She puts the dress away.
LARA (CONT’D)
Gotta get moving. K-mart has
20% off Manchester today. Maybe
I’ll get some new towels.
10. INT/EXT. SHOPPING CENTRE ENTRANCE. MORNING
Lara (dressed in comfortable clothes for shopping) walks past the automated sliding doors of the shopping centre.
A deep melodious voice (think James Earl Jones) jolts Lara from her thoughts of Manchester.
THE VOICE
Hello Lara
Lara looks around her, trying to locate the source of the voice.
THE VOICE
Welcome
Lara looks up to the ceiling where the voice seems to be coming from. She looks around again but can’t see anyone who appears to be addressing her. She shakes her head then keeps walking into the centre.
11. INT. FOOD COURT IN SHOPPING CENTRE. MIDDAY
Lara stands at the counter of the MacDonald’s food outlet in the shopping centre food court. She is holding her handbag and a plastic shopping bag.
A TEENAGE FEMALE ATTENDANT behind the counter fetches Lara’s burger, fries and soft drink.
Lara startles as she notices a photo of herself hanging on the wall near the shake machine.
(camera pans to photo of Lara).
Underneath the photo are the words “Shopper of the Month”
Lara leans over the counter to get a better look, her
mouth open.
LARA
What is that?
Lara points to the photo of herself. The teenage attendant turns around and they both look at the photo.
It is now a photo of a smiling, pimply faced young man. The plaque underneath now says “Employee of the Month.”
Lara’s face flushes. She grabs her tray of food and hurries away from the counter.
12. INT. SHOPPPING CENTRE. AFTERNOON
Lara spends some time shopping, despite what happened at the food court.
13. INT/EXT SHOPPING CENTRE ENTRANCE. AFTERNOON
As Lara leaves the shopping centre, later that day, she hears the same mysterious deep voice that she heard when she had arrived that morning.
THE VOICE
Good night, Lara. See you
tomorrow.
Lara looks around her but cannot see anyone addressing her. She clutches her bags tightly to her body and hurries from the shopping centre.
14. INT. LARA’S FLAT. LATE AFTERNOON
Lara is sitting on her couch, her cat on her lap. She is rubbing the back of her own neck.
LARA
I think I must be overtired.
She strokes her cat’s back.
LARA (CONT’D)
How ‘bout you and me watch a
video tonight. I can always wear
the dress next Saturday night.
Or I could return it tomorrow.
What do you think Fluffy – a
comedy or a romance?
15. EXT. SUBURBAN STREET. MORNING
Lara is walking along the footpath – heading to the shopping centre.
She is carrying the bag with the black dress. She glances down at a catalogue as she walks.
Camera pans in on catalogue - to see that ‘Angus and Robertson’ have a ‘buy one book get the second for $10’ sale.
16. EXT/INT SHOPPING CENTRE ENTRANCE. MORNING
Lara walks slowly past the sliding doors and into the centre. She is looking nervously up and around her.
THE VOICE
Good morning, Lara.
Lara stops walking.
LARA
Who said that?
She looks around, desperately trying to locate the source of the James Earl Jones voice.
THE VOICE
Lovely day isn’t it?
LARA
Is this some kind of joke?
THE VOICE
We love you Lara.
LARA
(yelling)
Who the hell is saying that?
Lara notices that the other shoppers that surround her are staring at her.
LARA (CON”D)
Do you hear it? Can you hear
that voice?
Everyone avoids eye contact with Lara. A mother picks up her toddler, clutches him to her chest, and puts her hand over his ears. Other people hurry away.
Lara blushes and walks quickly into the shopping centre.
17. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE ISLE. MORNING
Lara ducks around a corner, hidden from the people who had looked at her strangely. She leans against a wall and takes a few deep breaths.
THE VOICE
Try ‘Collins’ Lara. They are better
value today.
Lara looks around again, a worried expression on her face.
She suddenly stares off into the distance, her eyes widen and she smiles.
18. INT. ENTRANCE TO ‘COLLINS BOOKSTORE’. MORNING
The viewer sees a shot of the front entrance of ‘Collins Bookshop’ (where Lara was looking). It is plastered with SALE signs. ‘Closing Down Sale’ ‘ALL Books Half Price.’
Lara walks, happily, into the store.
19. INT. ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE AFTERNOON
Lara is loaded up with shopping bags – most of them with “Collins’ and ‘Sale’ printed on them. She walks towards the Entrance/Exit doors of the shopping centre.
THE VOICE
Good night, Lara. We hope you had
a pleasant day.
Lara raises her eyes to the ceiling and nods a little as she walks out of the centre.
20. EXT. ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTRE. MORNING
Lara (in different clothes and just with her handbag to show viewer it is a new day) approaches the centre for another day of shopping.
As she heads towards her normal entrance she hesitates then turns and walks in a different direction.
21. EXT/INT. A DIFFERENT ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTRE.
MORNING
Lara enters the shopping centre via an alternative entrance to the one she normally uses.
THE VOICE
Hello, Lara
Lara stops walking and pretends to look in her bag.
THE VOICE
We missed you yesterday.
We are glad you are back.
Lara keeps her head low, as though she is looking in her bag, but raises her eyes.
LARA
(whispering)
Who are you? Why are you
doing this?
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara
Lara can’t help herself. She looks around. There are several people within talking range but they are all occupied, either walking in and out of shops, or looking in shop windows.
LARA
Why are you talking to me?
THE VOICE
Because you love us, Lara.
It is rare to find someone
like you.
LARA
What do you mean?
THE VOICE
We see you here everyday.
You are part of our family.
Lara shudders.
THE VOICE (CONT’D)
‘Target’ are having a 15% off
everything sale, today only.
LARA
What! I haven’t heard about that.
Lara dashes off.
22. INT. ENTRANCE TO ‘TARGET’. MORNING
Lara arrives out the front of ‘Target’ to find that the voice is correct. There are ‘15% off everything -
today only.’ signs on the windows of the store.
LARA
Wow. Thanks.
THE VOICE
You’re welcome.
23. INT. LARA’s FLAT. MORNING.
Lara is sitting in her kitchen, talking on the telephone.
LARA
Well yes I am going shopping
today. I’m meeting a friend
there.
Lara raises her eyes
LARA (CONT’D)
Actually, a male friend.
Mum!!! It’s early days yet.
LARA (CONT’D)
No Mum, he’s not flying up
with me at Christmas. I’ve
only just met him.
24. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE ENTRANCE. MORNING
Lara walks into the shopping centre – looking relaxed and happy.
THE VOICE
Good morning, Lara.
LARA
Good morning.
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara
LARA
Um, thanks. I need some
new jeans.
THE VOICE
‘Just Jeans’ have a clearance
rack.
LARA
Thanks
25. INT. JUST JEANS CLOTHING STORE. MORNING
Lara browses through a rack of jeans. She pulls out a pair of size 10 jeans.
THE VOICE
Size Ten? Really Lara?
LARA
Okay, okay.
Lara puts back the size 10 jeans and pulls out a pair of size 12 jeans instead.
26. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE CORRIDOR. AFTERNOON.
Lara is walking along, window shopping. A man, wearing a leather jacket, can be seen behind her. He is sitting on a chair in the middle of the isle, drinking a can of coke, but his eyes are darting around.
THE VOICE
Lara, watch out for that man in
the leather jacket. He’s a bag
snatcher.
Lara clutches her handbag and ‘Just Jeans’ bag tightly and hurries off.
LARA
(whispers)
Thanks.
27. INT. SHOPPING CENTRE ENTRANCE. AFTERNOON
Lara walks towards the sliding doors that lead from the shopping centre.
THE VOICE
Goodbye, Lara. See you tomorrow.
Don’t forget it will be late
night shopping.
LARA
Yeah I know. Thanks.
Um..Bye.
28. INT. HOMEWARES STORE IN SHOPPING CENTRE. EVENING
Lara is in a home wares store buying a new colander.
As the HOMEWARES STORE SALESPERSON wraps her new purchase, Lara glances at her watch.
LARA
Oh my God. It’s nearly nine
o’clock already. I was hoping to
grab something to eat.
SALESPERSON
(handing Lara her purchase)
If you’re quick you might be
able to grab something at the
food court before they close.
LARA
Thanks.
Lara hurries from the store. The Salesperson closes the door behind Lara and turns around a red sign on the door from ‘open’ to ‘closed’.
29. INT. FOOD COURT OF SHOPPING CENTRE. 9pm
Lara races to the counter of one of the nearest food outlets.
LARA
Am I too late to order?
FOOD SERVER
You’re okay, love. You can be my
last customer.
LARA
(smiling, relieved)
Great. I’m starving. Can I
have a lamb kebab and a
diet coke thanks.
Lara sits at a table at the food court and eats her kebab.
The last few diners leave as she eats.
Cleaners wipe down tables and put chairs on tables around her.
Shutters are pulled down as all the food outlets pack up for the day and leave.
Cleaners glare at her, the last person eating, as they
sweep floors.
After Lara finishes her meal and stands up, a cleaner races over and wipes her table, then scurries off.
Lara is the only person left as she leaves the food court.
30. INT. ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE EVENING
Lara walks down the corridor that leads to her usual entrance/exit door.
All the shops are shut, obviously closed for the night, with shutters down, doors shut, signs up.
Lara approaches the automated sliding doors but they do not open.
Looking puzzled, she steps back then forward again.
The doors still do not open.
Lara waves her arms around, hoping to set off the movement sensor, but the doors remain shut.
She walks over and tries to push open one of the side doors but cannot.
Lara sighs with frustration and turns around to find another way out of the shopping centre.
31. INT. ANOTHER ENTRANCE TO SHOPPING CENTRE.
LATE EVENING
In the distance, Lara can see someone leave through another set of automated doors. She hurries in that direction.
However, as she approaches them, these doors, too, remain shut.
Lara walks back and forth in front of them, waving her arms above her head. The doors do not move.
LARA
What is going on?
THE VOICE
Stay with us, Lara
Lara looks up, confused.
LARA
What are you talking about?
It’s way past closing time.
I’ve got to go home.
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara.
LARA
Open the doors. I’ll be back
tomorrow.
THE VOICE
Don’t go. We get lonely at
night.
LARA
Don’t be ridiculous. I can’t
stay here over night.
THE VOICE
You are the best shopper ever.
Stay with us.
LARA
(angry)
Open this door. NOW!!
THE VOICE
No Lara. We want you to stay.
Lara turns and runs.
32. INT. CORRIDORS OF SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE EVENING
Lara runs past the clothing boutiques, past the food court, past the supermarket, all the way to the other side of the shopping complex.
33. INT. A THIRD ENTRANCE/EXIT SHOPPING CENTRE.
Lara runs to another entrance/exit set of doors. This set won’t open either. Lara drops her bags, raises her fists and pounds them on the glass doors.
LARA
(shouting)
LET ME OUT!
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara
LARA
LET ME OUT GOD-DAMN-IT.
THE VOICE
No one loves us like you do.
Lara screams and runs back into the bowels of the complex.
34. INT. CORRIDORS OF SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE EVENING
Lara runs from shopfront to shopfront, desperately searching for another person.
35. INT. OUTSIDE ‘BEST’N LESS’ STORE.
Lara notices two men, inside ‘Best’n Less’, packing shelves. She slaps her hands on the Perspex security shutters to attract their attention.
One of the men looks up and points to the ‘closed’ sign on the door.
LARA
(screaming at the men)
Open the doors. Please.
Open the doors.
The two men exchange looks with each other then turn their backs on Lara.
Lara is crying now.
LARA
I’m not nuts. Please, please.
Open the doors.
The men continue to ignore her.
36. INT. CORRIDORS OF SHOPPING CENTRE. LATE EVENING
Lara runs down more corridors, searching for a way out of the shopping centre.
Tears are streaming down her face.
Despite her frantic efforts she can’t find a door that will open.
Exhausted, she collapses to her knees.
LARA
(pleading)
Please let me out.
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara
LARA
You have to let me out.
Oh please. I don’t want
to stay here. I want to
go home.
THE VOICE
We will give you 20% off
everything, excluding sales
items and already discounted
prices.
LARA
I don’t care.
Lara thumps her fists on the floor
LARA (CONT’D)
Leave me alone.
THE VOICE
Okay, okay. 20% off the marked
price of all goods.
Lara’s body slowly tilts and she collapses onto her side. She rolls onto her back and stares up at the ceiling.
THE VOICE
We love you, Lara
Lara wipes her nose with the back of her sleeve.
THE VOICE
Nobody understands us the
way you do.
Lara whimpers quietly as she stares at the ceiling, resigned to her fate.
THE VOICE
You will love it here with us,
Lara. We will give you 50% off
everything
....for eternity.
THE END
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© CAROLINE STILLS