Say Suicide

by Anthony Cangiano

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

A man after grieving his wife's battle with breast cancer and the loss of his employment slips into a state of depression. When setting out on his suicide mission the plan is foiled by an unlikely source that changes the course of events.

 

 

 

 

Say Suicide By
Anthony Cangiano

 

 

 

 

copyright(2012)
The screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the written permission by the author.

[email protected]

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - DAY
A figure of a MAN appears to a backdrop of a breathtaking             OCEAN view, a stunning setting, a natural wonder. It is simply to die for.

We follow him to a CLIFF’S EDGE, he plants himself firmly down, a precarious position.

This Man is in his late 20’s, wears a crinkled dark suit, a standard attire for a soldier, battling some WAR IN AFGHANISTAN.

He breaths heavily in a irregular way, like a champion race horse.

STEVE (V.O.)
So is life.
He closes his eyes. Breaths in, exhaling heavily.
He regains his sight, the gusting wind blows on his face.
STEVE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
Just three months ago I lost my wife to breast cancer. She was battling breast cancer for a period of two years. Two years of constant torment she did not deserve. The tribulation she faced could never be known to me.
Close up on his blood shot eyes.

STEVE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
All that suffering she went through is now gone, left behind. The absence of her is to much of a deep void for me to fill. A dark hole filled with nothing but sorrow.
That nothing is what I’m left with.

 

 

 

CUT TO:

 

INT- CHURCH-DAY-FLASHBACK
We see Steve peering on a closed coffin, a WHITE BOUQUET of flowers rests on it.

CLOSE UP: WHITE FLOWERS. END FLASHBACK

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - SAME TIME
He looks straight out to the open sea.
STEVE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
Out there is a life giving force.
He bow’s his head to the intimidating rocks below.
STEVE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
Awaiting below is a one way ride. The final roller coaster thrill. The final chapter. The end.
He steps closer to the cliff’s edge.

STEVE (V.O.)(CONT’D)
They say time heals all pains, a cure for all ills. But obstacles are thrown and thrown constantly. To end my life is the only real answer, the only option left to me now.

 

 

 

CUT TO:

 

INT. OFFICE-DAY-FLASHBACK
Steve busily works in his office, in a methodical manner, typing away on his state of the art computer.

The companies Secretary knocks on his door.
STEVE

Come in!

SECRETARY

( affirmative)
Mr Porter would like to see you!
STEVE
Do you know what’s it regarding!?
SECRETARY
No. He didn’t say.
STEVE
Okay.
Steve leaves his office accompanied by the secretary.
They travel along a corridor, the secretary opens a door, Steve enters.

 

INT. MR PORTER’S OFFICE-SAME TIME
We see a distinguished GREY haired man, wearing a sophisticated set of glasses, calm in presents.

MR PORTER
(inviting)
Stephen? Why take a seat.
Steve takes his seat on the smaller office chair.
MR PORTER(CONT’D)
The reason I called you in is that..
MR PORTER’S eye’s show a shifty look.
MR PORTER(CONT’D)
..your probably well aware of our current economic situation.
Steve nods ever so slightly.

 

Sure.

STEVE

MR PORTER

The global financial crises has hit our industry over the past six months, heavily.
Mr porter’s takes off his prescription glasses.
MR PORTER(CONT’D)
Our revenues are diminishing, demand just isn’t there to meet our production needs.
Steve stares as if it was a competition.
MR PORTER(CONT’D)
(sternly)
I have no choice to cut back. Cutting back on staff is a start...so..well..I’ll get straight to the point-- I must inform your that your services is not longer required.
Steve is FROZEN in the moment, no reaction no reply. Mr Porter hands a sealed envelope.

(CONTINUED)

MR PORTER(CONT’D)
Your entitlements are all in the envelope here.

Mr Porter holds the envelope with "STEVE STONER" inscribed on it, he places the envelope on the top corner of his desk.

Steve is still motionless.
MR PORTER(CONT’D)
(caring) I’m so sorry.

In a instance, Mr Porter picks the envelope and offers it to Steve.

Without missing a beat, Steve springs out his chair, abruptly walks out Mr Porter’s office.

Steve travels along the same corridor, passing work colleagues without acknowledging anyone.

We see Steve walking down a flight of stairs, he reaches a glass pivotal door.

INT. CAR PARK-DAY-CONTINUOUS
Steve approaches his car and enters.
He now unbuttons his shirt, then loosens his necktie. BREATHING HEAVILY he bows his head on the steering wheel. FADE OUT:

INT.STEVE’S HOUSE-DAY
We see Steve enter his home to furnished living room. We see a picture of a WOMAN displayed on a wall unit.

Steve walks by the unit, he sits himself down by the table overlooking the picture.

He looks directly at his late WIFE’S picture, reflecting on it.

Then he picks up a pen, on a piece of paper he begins to write a SUICIDE NOTE. It begins with: "I HAVE CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION"...

END FLASHBACK

 

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - DAY
STEVE (V.O.)
And so. All is lost.
Steve slowly lifts up his arms, just like a bird about to take flight, he close’s his eyes and reopens them moving even closer to the edge.

With this SCREECHING HIGH PITCHED noise, A GLIDING EAGLE
swoops by him graciously, breaks his undivided attention.
We see the eagle in mid flight, clutching some shredded red meat.

Steve observes, as the grand eagle descends to a awaiting nest.

The nest is wedged between the cliff side, with branches brilliantly crafted by the maker, BABY CHICKS cry out to the approaching guardian.

The mother eagle feeds its starving chicks, piece by piece until it runs out.

CUT TO:

 

INT- STEVE’S CHILDHOOD HOME EARLY 90’S- FLASHBACK
In a kitchen we see a small child being feed by Steve’s MOTHER. His mother feeds him baby food with a small teaspoon.

MOTHER
(proudly)
That’s a good boy, eating up all your food, you must of been starving, my sweetie pie.
Young Steve savors every little bite offered to him.
MOTHER(CONT’D)
(cheerfully and lovingly) My little boy is always cheery after his little meal.. isn’t he now? Yes he is!
Mum strokes the baby on the cheek with a finger gently.
MOTHER(CONT’D)
Your gonna grow up to be a nice young fellow. A long healthy life
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)

 

MOTHER(CONT’D) (cont’d)
is only what you deserve, my bubby boy.

With all the pampering being given, she showers him with kisses.

END FLASHBACK

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - DAY
Steve’s fond memory of childhood triggers off a SPRIGHTLY   emotion, he cracks a slight smile.

We see him lower his arms down.
CUT TO:

INT-FAMILY HOME- EARLY 2000’S- FLASHBACK
In the FAMILY living room, Steve stands smartly groomed, his Parents are looking on.

DAD
My word son, your getting better looking than your old man every day.
MUM
(not seriously)
You are always comparing him to your self.
DAD
Sure! Soon he’ll be dressing sharply and keeping his personal appearance up on a daily basis.
MUM
Lady friends!
DAD
Right! Sure. They will swarm around him like bees to a hive.
With all the compliments given, young Steven smiles proudly. END FLASHBACK

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - DAY
A subtle smile sets in, it is etched into his face. His heart pounds harder.

STEVE (V.O.)
Is this the answer. Is this worth it. And throw it all away in a instance.
Steve SHAKES his head with confidence.
STEVE(CONT’D)
This isn’t the answer.
He has a religious moment, he closes his eyes to reflect, almost in pray.

Then when he opens his eyes, he moves a little closer to the edge of the cliff, he LOOSES his footing, and SLIPS over the ledge.

There is a light dust floating above where Steve once stood.
Gradually we get closer to the ledge, we look straight to the bottom towards the rocks, there is no sign of Steve.

The camera pans slowly left to discover Steve clinging on to a TREE ROOT, just meters from solid ground.

Steve frantically holds the tree Root, dangling down without a foot hold of any sort.

He holds this life line with all his might, like a winch handed to him from an helicopter above.

Out of desperation he SCREAMS out.
STEVE
Help Me!!!!....Someone!!
His cries echoes off the cliffs walls.
STEVE(CONT’D)
Help!!!...Please!!
Steve’s grasp on the root is beginning to slip, he cries out even louder to be heard.

We see a shot of Steve from below ground level, then slowly pans upward to reveal a another HAND grabbing his own.

The RESCUER pulls up Steve to solid ground, without breaking his stride.

(CONTINUED)

 

RESCUER
Are you alright?
Steve holds his knees crunched over, gasping for air.
STEVE
(out of breath) Yes...Thank you.

Steve slowly regains his breath, raises one arm to the Rescuer.

STEVE(CONT’D)
I can’t thank you enough.
RESCUER
Do not mention it.

Steve nods.

 

RESCUER(CONT’D)

I mean!.. lucky I caught sight of you falling from over there.
The Rescuer points the area out where he once stood.
RESCUER(CONT’D)
I saw you slip, then when you plunged over, I flew over here like a bat out of cave.
Steve now raised, he listens more intently.
RESCUER(CONT’D)
Firstly, when I looked over the edge, I could not spot you from anywhere, I just thought you’ve vanished. Then I heard you grunting, which then I turned to my left and found you clinging there, still alive and kicking.
STEVE
(praising him)
I owe you everything. I can’t thank you enough for my stupidity.
RESCUER
Accidents do happen, I suppose.
Steve agrees with with a sinister smirk.

 

(CONTINUED)

 

RESCUER(CONT’D)
(admiring)
The magnificent view here just draws you in.. you knock off a hard days work, your all stressed out and are looking for some release..it just melts away all your daily pressures.
The Rescuer and Steve look out to the open sea. The Rescuer points to Steve.
RESCUER(CONT’D)
(quizzing)
Why did you get so close to the edge for anyway?
STEVE
(evasive)
Are! To get a better view of the incoming waves.
RESCUER
Sure. You cannot be to careful, our wondering eyes guide us in the wrong directions sometimes, we misjudge our steps and mistakes do happen.
STEVE
Well, I carelessly tripped over my untied shoe lace, and dropped over.

Steve points to his shoe. The Rescuer looks at his untied shoe lace.

RESCUER
It’s a shame one year a go at this very spot. A young girl plunged to her death.

STEVE
(questioningly) Really?

 

Yes! How?

RESCUER STEVE

 

(CONTINUED)

 

RESCUER
She committed suicide.
Steve is stunned, but curious.
STEVE
How did you know?
RESCUER
The officer’s told me, she was a long time sufferer of depression, she was a "Manic Depressant".
STEVE
(not convinced)
So your are so certain the cause was ’Suicide’?
RESCUER
Defiantly! They found a suicide note.
Steve sweats bullets.

DISSOLVE TO:

 

INT. STEVEN’S HOUSE- FLASHBACK
We see a note on a side table near the front door. The note reads: "TO MUM AND DAD".

END FLASHBACK

EXT. CLIFFTOP OCEAN VIEW - SAME TIME
In a urgent manner, Steve shakes his hand with gratitude.
STEVE
(brash)
I can not thank you more.
RESCUER
Are you sure you are alright?

 

I’m sure.

STEVE

RESCUER

There’s a hospital two blocks away, I could take you there.

 

(CONTINUED)

 

STEVE
My car is just here, I’ll manage.. thank you.

Steve walks hurriedly to his car. He stands on the middle of the road.

Fumbling with his car keys outside his drivers side door, he is STRUCK by a incoming car.

Steve lies MOTIONLESSLY on the road, he becomes unconscious within a couple of seconds.

FADE OUT:

INT- HOSPITAL ROOM- AFTERNOON
We focus on a ELECTROCARDIOGRAM MONITOR beating away.
Then we see STEVE’S BANDAGED HEAD, unconscious, battered and bruised.

EXT- HOSPITAL ROOM-AFTERNOON- CONTINUOUS
Outside Steve’s hospital room a COUPLE is speaking to a REGISTERED NURSE.

The nurse is holding a folder, she consults to Steve’s PARENT’S about his situation.

Steve’s mum carries a handkerchief wiping her tears. Dad comforts her.

NURSE
(looking at chart)
The head injuries he sustained, is severe, and caused head trauma.
Steve’s Mum holds a handkerchief covering her mouth.
NURSE(CONT’D)
The ’Trauma’ is known as ’Cerebral Contusion’ or bruising of the brain tissue. That’s what caused him to slip into coma.
DAD
Could he gain permanent brain damage from this?

 

(CONTINUED)

 

NURSE
It is difficult to say..we can only tell when he regains consciousness at best..and then assess the extent of tissue damage it may of caused.
DAD
(sympathetically)
Is it likely he may not make it, nurse?
NURSE
It’s hard to say, some patients stay in a coma for several days, and come out making a full recovery. However the longer it lingers on, the overall chances of survival will decrease dramatically.
Steve’s dad comforts his crying mum. FADE OUT:

INT.STEVE’S HOUSE-DAY-FLASHBACK CLOSE UP: SUICIDE NOTE.
Steve’s parents enter his home to a suspiciously unlocked door.

The SUICIDE NOTE left by Steve is blown off the front table caused by the door action, it carries outside without his parents noticing.

MUM
Steve?.. Steve are you home?
DAD
Steve? Are you here son?
MUM
I don’t think his home?
DAD
It is not like him to leave the door unlocked.
MUM
Must of been running late for work this morning. It slipped by his mind.

(CONTINUED)

 

The note blows away to the nearby street, then falls through a STEEL GRATE into the sewerage pipe.

END FLASHBACK

INT- HOSPITAL ROOM- AFTERNOON
Before us we see a electrocardiogram monitor signaling Steve’s current heart rate, it beats steadily.

We cross over to Steve still in his induced state.
Back and forth we CLOSE UP on, between the Monitor and Steve, he is clearly alive.

Suddenly the Monitor flat lines, and from all directions Nurses and Doctors fly in.

FRANTICALLY the Doctors work on Steve to revive Him.
The monitor regains his heart beat, but only for a moment, then flat lines once again.

Every time it flat lines it blacks out, we fade out.
Finally we hear the monitor beating for it’s last time, it is dead, BLACK OUT.

FADE OUT:

INT- HOSPITAL ROOM- MORNING CLOSE UP:
A large Bouquet of white flowers we focus on, it remains on the floral arrangements for a good twenty seconds.

A hand emerges from the frame to pick the Floral arrangement. The Nurse brings it to Steve, alive and standing, he musters a smile.

NURSE
Here? Your parents left these for you. It is sad to let you go Steve.
The nurse hands over the flowers.
STEVE
Thank you.

 

(CONTINUED)

 

NURSE
We almost lost you there for a moment.

STEVE
It was.. a close one.
Steve wears a bandage to the side of his head, with a packed bag, he is all set.

STEVE
Nurse you have been so invaluable to me.

NURSE
It’s my duty of care.

 

Right now.

STEVE

NURSE

All set and ready to go?
STEVE
Good and ready.
NURSE
Don’t forget to take you medicine? It is imperative in reducing your swelling.

 

I won’t.

STEVE

NURSE

(caring)
If you get in any sort of trouble, here is my card...
Nurse hands over a business card to Steve.
NURSE(CONT’D)
...don’t hesitate to call me now. I do house calls.
Steve sees a little SPARK beaming from her warm eyes.
STEVE
I’m sure we will be in touch.

 

INT-HOSPITAL RECEPTION FRONT DOOR - MOMENTS LATER
Steve passes reception with a small bag in toe, he carries on to the front door and exits.

EXT- HOSPITAL CAR PARK- SAME TIME
Steve breaths the fresh air, then looks at the business card handed by the nurse.

CLOSE ON:
A business card reads; REGISTERED NURSE: STACEY HOLLOWS.
STEVE
It’s great to be alive.
After pondering over the business card he looks up, breaths once more the freshness of the air.

When a screeching high pitched familiar sound, catches his attention once more, he looks above.

The eagle,the SAVIOR, drifts away effortlessly into the distant skies.

CLOSE UP:
Eagle hovering above in a still position, flapping the tips of it’s wings.

THE END.

Download Script