Artisque episode three
A drama about creative and talented students
in an art university in London.
First scene
Gregory goes on
the underground by train and enters Artisque. He enters the classroom and Mrs
Duff takes him a side.
Mrs Duff
Gregory I’m glad
you came back. Are you sure you don’t need any more time off?
Gregory
No Mrs Duff. I’m
alright. I’m going to be alright. I’ve mourned as best I can and I can’t stay
at home all day doing naught.
Mrs Duff
Alright. Greg if
you need us we are here for you. Okay.
Gregory
Yes.
Next scene
It is the
lunchtime break. Daphne sees Gregory reading a newspaper.
Daphne
Hey Gregory. You
came back.
Gregory
I’ve got to get
back sometime.
Daphne
What are you
reading?
Gregory
Some crap about
this girl called Judy selling her story about that footballer Xavier Esmerelda.
Daphne
How can you live
on knowing what you did? How can you live with yourself? Sarah had a long life
ahead of her. So much to live for. You are a disgrace to all men. You got her
into those drugs.
Gregory
I didn’t kill
her. She took them willingly.
Daphne
No remorse. You
make my skin crawl. You really do.
Nilesh
interrupts.
Nilesh
Hey mate. Good to
see you back. Saying goodbye to Sarah at the funeral must have been so hard for
you.
Daphne
interrupts.
Daphne
Oh please. You
might not have known of her allergies the drug is still illegal. I don’t care
what they say. You drove her to her death.
Nilesh
Leave it alone Daphne.
It is not his fault.
Daphne
You haven’t heard
the last of me Gregory. You don’t deserve to live. To be here carrying on.
Daphne walks
away.
Nilesh
Greg. Ignore her
and the rest. You didn’t force her to take the drugs. That’s the real truth.
Gregory
But I took them
too and survived.
Nilesh
Now that you are
getting back into everything why don’t you, me, Donnie, Pablo and Shepard go to
the club this Friday. Have a bit of fun.
Gregory
Sure.
Next scene
It is night time
and Gregory is working as a packer. He finishes at seven in the morning and
goes straight to Artisque.
Next scene
Mr Rafferty is
running a drama class. Gregory and Nia react a scene in front of the class.
Next scene
Mr Rafferty talks
to the class.
Mr Rafferty
You were all
great. Here are your grades and feedback.
Nia and Gregory
speak.
Nia
We got a D.
Gregory
What!
Nia
A D.
Gregory
I don’t get D’s.
You must have done something wrong.
Nia
Maybe you have
lost your skill. Not a great act to fool us all.
Mr Rafferty talks
to the class.
Mr Rafferty
Everyone it is
the lunch break.
Gregory’s phone
rings.
Gregory
Hey Mum.
Meredith
Hey son. You
haven’t forgot that we will be going to you Dad’s grave.
Gregory
Of course not.
See you tonight.
Next scene
Gregory is eating
lunch at the canteen. Nia and her boyfriend Tommy interrupt.
Nia
Gregory what are
you wearing?
Gregory
Sarah designed
it.
Nia
How dare you wear
what she created? Take it off.
Gregory
No. She made it
for me.
Nia
You murderer.
Take it off.
Nia grabs the
clothing. Gregory walks away keeping the clothing and Tommy attacks Gregory by
punching him. Gregory fights him back. Nilesh restrains them both and classmate
Chanel interrupts.
Chanel
Tommy. Nia. Have
you lost your motherfucking minds? Leave Gregory alone. Can’t you see he is
grieving?
Nia
Grieving. He
don’t care about her.
Tommy interrupts.
Tommy
It’s not over
Gregory.
Next scene
Gregory and his
Mother are at Gregory’s Father’s grave.
Meredith
I can’t believe
it’s been ten years. You were so young when we lost him.
Gregory
I was.
Meredith
There are so many
things I miss about him. So much he could have done.
Gregory
There is no need
to worry. I turned out fine. He will be forever in our hearts.
Meredith
He will. So you
went back to Artisque? Is it too soon after Sarah? Tomorrow would have been her
21st.
Gregory
I’ve been
thinking about that too. I need to be at Artisque to function. She would have
wanted me to be there with all our friends.
Meredith
You are sticking
to that promise you made at her funeral. No drugs.
Gregory
Promise. It’s
raining. We better go.
Gregory leaves
the flowers at his Father’s grave and they walk away.
Next scene
It is the morning
and Chanel stops by Mrs Duff’s classroom.
Chanel
Mrs Duff. I am worried
about Gregory. He was harassed and attacked by Nia and Tommy over Sarah. It is
unacceptable. We are in a university and not a ghetto school in the hood. They
crossed the line and I want to know what are you going to do about it?
Mrs Duff
Nothing. Gregory
has not reported them. We don’t know. I’m so sorry Chanel. I hate to say that
but that is how Artisque works on those kind of issues.
Next scene
Gregory goes out
to the club with Nilesh, Donnie, Pablo and Shepard. They drink, dance and flirt
with the girls. Gregory sits down to let them dance and a girl approaches
Gregory.
Laura
Hi, I’m Laura.
Gregory and Laura
talk, drink, dance and have fun. Laura pulls Gregory by the hand out of the
club. They go in a taxi to his flat and they make out. Gregory stops.
Laura
What’s wrong?
Gregory
I can’t do this.
Laura
Why not?
Gregory
It’s too soon.
Laura
Soon for what?
Gregory
Sarah.
Laura
Your ex.
Gregory
My late
girlfriend.
Laura
Pregnant.
Gregory
No. Deceased.
Laura
Oh.
Next scene
Gregory and Laura
talk about Sarah and Artisque.
Gregory
She was the love
of my life. An aspiring fashion designer. So talented. You would have loved the
clothing she designed. I got her into drugs. It’s my fault.
Laura
No. It’s not. She
took them herself. You didn’t force her or pressure her. Everyone knows the
dangers of drugs. She had a choice.
Gregory
Everyone at
Artisque hates me for it.
Laura
Maybe you should
quit.
Gregory
Ten years of hard
work. No and she would want me to carry on.
Laura
Well stand up to
those bullies there. You are not in the wrong. Gregory you are twenty three.
You have your whole life ahead of you. Choose life.
Next scene
Gregory enters Ms
Magnolia’s lesson.
Ms Napoleon
Gregory. Can you
go to Mr Mungo’s office? He is waiting for you.
Gregory
Okay. What is it
about?
Ms Napoleon
He will tell you.
Daphne smirks at
Gregory as he leaves.
Next scene
Gregory enters Mr
Mungo.
Gregory
Hi. Mr Mungo. You
wanted to see me.
Mr Mungo
Yes. I know you
lost your girlfriend Sarah in the worst way. I hate to tell you this but a
petition has been made with a hundred signatures wanting you out of Artisque.
Gregory
What! Really.
Gregory panicks.
Gregory
Does that mean I
am out of Artisque? Who was behind this?
Mr Mungo
I can’t say. But
you will not be out of Artisque anytime soon. This is due to your friend Chanel
reporting Tommy and Nia harassing you verbally and physically. If you have any
problems contact me.
Gregory
Thank you Mr
Mungo.
Next scene
Gregory walks out
of the office and sees Daphne staring at him.
Gregory
It was you wasn’t
it?
Daphne
Oh yes it was.
How does it feel knowing we all want you out of Artisque?
Gregory
Look Daphne I
don’t want any trouble. I can’t bring Sarah back and I am trying to live my
life without her as best as I can.
Daphne
I don’t just want
you out of Artisque. I want to ruin your life. Because of you my friend is
dead. I’m not falling for your trained acting right now. You are a ruthless
thug who cares about nobody but himself.
Daphne walks
away. Gregory sheds a tear.
Next scene
It is the dance
class taught by Ms Magnolia. Gregory is doing a joint dance number with three
other students and Foysul.
Foysul
Can’t get the
rhythm?
Gregory
I’ve been working
nights. I haven’t got the energy for this.
Foysul
And that’s the
only reason you are tired?
Gregory
Really Foysul?
Come on now. I thought you were better than that. You’ve been harassing me all
fucking day. You know absolutely nothing. Can’t ask me what is going on man to
man?
Gregory walks
away.
Ms Magnolia
Gregory. Where
are you going?
Gregory
I’m going to get
some water. Be back in 5.
Next scene
Gregory is at
Pablo’s flat with Nilesh, Donnie and Shepard.
Gregory
I never thought
Foysul was that stupid. And he harasses me all day. And Daphne launches a
petition anonymously then looks me in the eye later on to confirm it was her.
She is pure evil. Fucking moron. Needs to get her own fucking life.
Nilesh
On to a positive
note what happened with Laura?
Gregory
We nearly got it
on and then I ended up telling her about Sarah. It hurts so much but nobody
cares.
Pablo, Nilesh,
Donnie and Shepard
We care.
Pablo
We got you.
Gregory
I don’t even know
why I am there. I keep getting flashbacks of all the things we did together
there.
Gregory pauses
for a second.
Gregory
Should I stay at
Artisque?
Shepard
You should. All
those years of training as an actor. I don’t know anyone more passionate about
acting as you. Nobody loves it more than you.
Next scene
Mr Eachan and
Gregory talk.
Mr Eachan
Hey Greg. How are
things?
Gregory
Good. I’m slowly
getting back into my studies. It’s hard but I need to carry on.
Mr Eachan
She would want
you to live on.
Gregory cries.
Gregory
You know it hurts
so bad. She was my first love. My only true love. It’s also the tenth
anniversary of my Dad’s death. It would have also been Sarah’s 21st.
I’m alright. I’m okay. It’s just that it is a bit too much to handle all this
at once.
Mr Eachan
It will be okay.
Things will get better over time.
Gregory
I hope so because
how I am feeling is agonising.
Next scene
Gregory stops by
Mr Rafferty’s classroom.
Gregory
Mr Rafferty.
Mr Rafferty
Hey Greg. Come
in.
Gregory
Before Sarah’s
death we mentioned my letter of recommendation for my future acting career as I
am in year three. Can you still write it for me?
Mr Rafferty
Look Greg. The
thing is that you have lost your ability and talent recently as a trained
actor. Sarah’s death has affected you and that is the reason why.
Gregory
Sarah’s death.
Mr Rafferty
Yes. You got
loads of A’s and now D’s. I don’t think now you will make a great actor in my
professional opinion.
Gregory
Some teacher you
are. There is only four years between us.
Mr Rafferty
I am highly
skilled. I have been acting for twenty years. I am a former child actor. I know
this business inside out and you will not make it.
Gregory
You hate me for
Sarah don’t you? Admit it.
Mr Rafferty
No. I hate you
because we taught you how to cross the line and fool girls like Sarah leading
them to their deaths. Greg maybe you came back too soon after your break not
giving a care for her whatsoever. You aren’t fooling anyone. You are
responsible. You killed her.
Gregory punches
Mr Rafferty and attacks him. Other people grab Gregory off Mr Rafferty. Mr
Rafferty smirks at Gregory and speaks:
Mr Rafferty
This is it for
you Greg. You are finished at Artisque for good. Go on and say goodbye to your
acting career.
Next scene
Gregory is
arrested by the Police and charged with assault released on bail.
Next scene
Gregory is called
to the university by Mr Mungo for a meeting.
Gregory
I snapped. I
didn’t mean it and Mr Rafferty pushed me. He is evil.
Mr Mungo
Gregory. You know
I like you. The student with the most A’s in your year group. I shouldn’t have
told you that but I did. There is no proof of what you say Mr Rafferty did. He
has witnesses backing up his claims, the Police charging you and with that
petition I’m afraid I am going to expel you from Artisque.
Gregory cries.
Next scene
Gregory collects
all his things from his locker. He walks out of the university and gets
reminders of everything he did with Sarah at the university. The good times.
The bad times. He sees Mr Rafferty who smirks at him. Gregory walks out and
starts to cry. Chanel and Nilesh witness Gregory leave.
Chanel
Nilesh. They
drove him out with harassment. You need to report this to Mr Mungo. They can’t
do that to him. Nobody deserves that.
Nilesh
I will. Right
now.
Chanel
I tried and it
obviously hasn’t worked. I hate this. Full of evil, sad people.
Next scene
Gregory’s Mum and
her husband speak.
Meredith
I knew it was too
soon for him to go back there. He always pushes himself too hard. He doesn’t
need Artisque to make it as an actor. Should we go round to his place?
Earl
I’m sure he needs
some time to himself. He must be really angry and want to blow off some steam.
He is a grown twenty three year old man. See him at the weekend. He’ll be
working anyway.
Next scene
Nilesh has a
meeting with Mr Mungo.
Nilesh
Mr Mungo. I don’t
know what Mr Rafferty told you but he was being harassed left, centre and
right. The number of people on that petition proves that. That is a lie and is
the other way round. Yes he was violent. He snapped. He cracked under pressure.
He is not a murder or a violent thug. He has a great talent with a great future
ahead of him if this harassment stops. He gave drama years of his time and
devotion. Mr Mungo you have to lift off that expulsion. You and everyone at
Artisque didn’t see him grieve, the pain he went through. The tears he cried.
Mr Mungo
My hands are
tied. The Police charged him.
Nilesh
Come on now. I’m
sure he is not the only criminal at Artisque and definitely not the last.
Mr Mungo
Okay. I’ll take
it off. But I think he should have more grieving time off.
Next scene
Gregory cries
excessively looking at photographs and things of Sarah’s.
Next scene
Mr Mungo calls
Gregory leaving a message.
Mr Mungo
Gregory. I have
had time to think and I have took the expulsion off. But you need more time off
to grieve for Sarah. I promise this time I will let the bullies know that what
they have done to you is unacceptable. Please come into Artisque next Monday at
10 to discuss it all in detail. Take it easy.
Next scene
Gregory takes the
drugs in a crying rage, goes into the bathroom and drowns himself in the bath
full of water.
End of episode three.
Explanation of episode three
I
made the decision to explore suicide as it is very common in men from 18-40.
Some men think that it doesn’t happen to men but it can struck anyone (Man or
Woman). Men are three times more likely to commit suicide than women. The
ordinary person might think depression and suicide can’t struck you. That is
wrong and can get to the strongest person. If ever you feel things get
difficult in feeling there is no way out then call Samaritans on 116 123.
Speaking to a stranger can help rather than a loved one or a familiar face.
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