Consequence

EXT – COUNTRY ROAD - DAY

A car drives along a country road, music playing. It turns off the main road to a large house, with driveway and woods surrounding. Dan, 40, Julia, 35, and Kyle, 8 get out of the car with groceries and go into the house.

INT – THE HOUSE – NIGHT

The family are sitting down to dinner. Dan looks stressed, and Julia puts her arms around him. Kyle is playing with his food, quietly.

Julia
Nothing today then?

Dan
No.

Julia
You’ll get something soon, I’m sure of it.

Dan
(Sighs).

Julia
(Brightly) How was school today, Kyle?

Kyle says nothing and plays with his food. Julia and Dan exchange a look. Atmosphere at the table is tense.

INT – KYLE’S ROOM – NIGHT

Kyle is sitting on a bean-bag in his attic room, colouring in. We don’t see what he is drawing.

INT – DAN’S OFFICE – NIGHT

There are unpacked boxes lying around. Dan is half-heartedly unpacking. He picks up the phone.

Dan
Giles?

Cut to Giles, 50, who is in an office.

Giles
Dan, good to hear from you. How’s it going up there?

Dan
Ah, you know. Quiet. Full of Scottish people.

Giles
(Laughs). Seriously, you okay?

Dan
Yeah. Julia’s been keeping her part of the bargain so far. Kyle’s still giving us the silent treatment, but that’s to be expected. Listen, Giles - there’s nothing happening on the job front. Do you know anyone?

Giles
I know a few guys in Edinburgh… I’ll give them a ring and see. And Dan? Remember what I said, okay? Just take things one day at a time. You’re doing great.

Dan
(Quietly) Yeah.

Giles
Listen, I know you want a new start and everything… but keep in touch.

Dan
I will. Thanks, Giles.

Dan hangs up the phone and picks up a newspaper from one of the boxes, which has the headline ‘TOP LAWYER ESCAPES JAIL SENTENCE.’ He throws it in the bin and puts his head in his hands.