Exit, pursued by a bear

XIT, PURSUED BY A BEAR

  A "reading" screenplay by

  Peter D. Wilson

  Copyright Peter D. Wilson 2011

  Peter D. Wilson asserts his right under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.

  Thank you for downloading this e-book. Although free to download, it remains the copyrighted property of the author, and in part or whole may not be reproduced, copied and distributed for any commercial or non-commercial purpose without his permission.

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  Disclaimer

  This script is a work of fiction, and any resemblance therein to persons in real life is coincidental.

  Cover photograph: Pruhonice Castle, Bohemia. Copyright Peter D. Wilson 2011.

  CONTENTS

  Characters

  Opening

  Anna

  Breakthrough

  Defiance

  Revelation

  Confrontation

  Plotting

  Kiev

  Fiasco

  Defection

  Author

  MAIN CHARACTERS

  TONY: A university don; middle-aged, affable, by inclination unworldly but forced by circumstance into intrigue.

  PLACEK: The most impressive character in the piece. East European, similar in age to Tony. He speaks in not quite perfect English. Scheming and devious in the course of duty, to which he is devoted, he is nevertheless personally honourable and by no means the traditional "heavy." Although utilised as a cover for other activities, his academic position is perfectly genuine and justly earned. He normally presents a coldly analytical and sardonic shell to the world, but occasionally reveals a strong quasi-paternal affection for Anna.

  CLARA: The Vicar's wife; a well-meaning if bossy organiser, of mature years. Her nervousness before introducing Anna is sufficiently out of character to warrant comment.

  ANNA: Another East European, with English initially less accomplished than Placek's. Pretty, early twenties; not exactly the ingénue she first appears.

  ERIC: Tony's cousin, a senior military type with connections in the security services. Laconic, frank to the point of rudeness.

  ELENA: Placek's assistant, mature, with more than a soft spot for him and little sense of subordination.

  Return to Contents

  INTERIOR, DAY. TONY'S SITTING ROOM, CHRISTMAS EVE 1985, AFTERNOON

  Tony, casually dressed, enters clumsily with a large box of Christmas decorations. Looking round for somewhere to put it, and finding nowhere more suitable, he dumps it on the floor and starts rummaging through the contents.

  Clara, in outdoor clothes, looks in from the hall.

  CLARA: Anything I can bring while I'm out?

  TONY: Nothing I can think of.

  CLARA: Right, I'm off.

  TONY: Thanks, Clara. It's extraordinarily good of you ...

  CLARA: Not at all. After all, I got you into all this in the first place.

  TONY: It was hardly your fault.

  CLARA: I did twist your arm pretty hard. I'm glad of a chance to make some amends.

  TONY: Even so, just at this time ... You must have plenty more on your plate.

  CLARA: Nothing as important as this. But for goodness' sake have the place more or less ship-shape before I get back.

  TONY: I'll try. But I don't know how long Eric's business will take.

  CLARA: When do you expect him?

  TONY: It depends on when he can collect this mysterious visitor he's bringing along.

  CLARA: Do your best, anyway. See you soon.

  TONY: Right. 'Bye.

  Clara withdraws. Tony starts sorting the decorations, then checks his watch and switches on the radio.

  ANNOUNCER (voice over): ... in the classic recording by Jacqueline du Pré with the LSO under Barbirolli. And now, in place of the advertised programme, we are broadcasting a recording of last Thursday's concert from Prague, given by the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra under Vaclav Neumann. It is an all-Czech programme, with ...

  At the mention of Prague, Tony stiffens and his eyes glaze.

  DISSOLVE TO A NONDESCRIPT LOBBY, 1981

  A notice board carries a heading "SLAVONIC STUDIES ASSOCIATION: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, PRAGUE 1981". Placek is at the board, affixing a new sheet. Tony enters, worried, carrying a document case. He strides up, nodding in greeting to Placek who bows slightly in return and makes way. Tony checks a timetable, consults his watch, and relaxes slightly to look at other items. After a moment Placek speaks, in grammatically accurate but not always idiomatic English.

  PLACEK: Er - excuse me, Professor Anderson ...

  TONY: Yes?

  PLACEK: I must apologise if I disturb you.

  TONY: Not at all ...

  PLACEK: Then allow me please to congratulate you on your paper.

  TONY: Oh - thank you, Dr. ... ?

  PLACEK: Placek, Professor - Alexander Placek. May I present my card?

  TONY: Thanks. (Fumbling with his wallet) Er - I'm afraid I seem to be out of them.

  PLACEK: No matter. The details are in the office. Yes, your paper - how refreshing it is to hear a respectable piece of work, capably presented. Too many of our purported authors, I fear, have made the least possible effort to get on - what do you say? - the bandwagon.

  TONY (somewhat distracted): Yes, I suppose that does happen.

  PLACEK: Whatever became, I ask myself, of the first intention to bring together the real experts simply to discuss their latest work?

  TONY: Smothered by the political side-issues, I imagine.

  PLACEK: It does appear so.

  Beat

  PLACEK: I gather that you too are not unduly eager to hear Kasparian.

  TONY: Well, no - actually I was hoping to make a telephone call.

  A clock strikes, with a resonant chime.

  PLACEK: "The temple bell stops ringing ..."

  TONY (absently): "... but the sound still comes from the flowers."

  PLACEK: Ah - near enough.

  TONY: Sorry?

  PLACEK: The fault is mine, Professor; I was speaking only to myself. But your telephone call - I regret that the system does not work well. You were perhaps planning to meet friends?

  TONY: No, I have to phone home.

  PLACEK: Indeed? A difficult time, I fear.

  TONY: There are reasons.

  PLACEK: Of course, I have no doubt of it.

  TONY: Actually my wife's had some rather crucial medical tests, and I wondered if she'd got the results yet - they were due today.

  PLACEK: I'm sorry if I seemed to pry into private matters. It was not at all my intention.

  TONY: Of course not - understood.

  PLACEK: But I must not detain you from so important an enquiry. You would do best to ask at the conference office to place your call - if you will please to return my card for a moment - thank you -

  He scribbles on the back and returns it.

  PLACEK: That should overcome any difficulty with our sometimes rather over-officious staff there.

  TONY: Thank you. It's very good of you.

  PLACEK: Not at all. We try to accommodate our distinguished guests as well as we can.

  TONY: Much appreciated.

  PLACEK: And I do hope that all will be well with your wife. Until later, Professor.

  Tony departs; Placek gazes after him. Elena enters.

  ELENA: Well? Is he?

  PLACEK: Ah, Elena. Evidently. He wants to telephone - not the local call we expected, but ther
e's plenty of time yet for that. Now, about the organising committee meeting ...

  They depart, in quiet conversation.

  FADE OUT

  Return to Contents

  FADE UP. OUTSIDE AN ENGLISH VICARAGE, LATE SUMMER 1983

  A car is parked nearby. Clara, middle-aged and businesslike, emerges from the house with Anna, a pretty, timid-mannered girl in her early twenties, dressed simply but neatly.

  CLARA: Come along, dear. Let's get it over.

  ANNA: Do I look all right?

  CLARA: Utterly charming. Now don't worry - whatever happens, he won't eat you.

  ANNA: But it is such a thing to ask!

  CLARA: Unconventional, yes. But he isn't one to worry about that. So you needn't. Come on, in you get.

  They both get into the car and Clara drives off.

  CUT TO THE STREET OUTSIDE TONY'S HOUSE, MINUTES LATER

  Tony approaches on foot, unlocks the door and is about to enter when Clara drives up, jumps out of the car and bustles up to him. Anna stays in the car.

  CLARA: Tony! I didn't realise you were going out. Lucky I caught you.

  TONY: Oh, hello, Clara. Yes - but what's all this about?

  CLARA: Not out here, if you don't mind ...

  CUT TO TONY'S SITTING ROOM, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING

  Tony and Clara enter.

  TONY: Now - coffee, tea, something stronger?

  CLARA: No, thanks. I don't want to be unsociable, but with this on my mind ...

  TONY: Understood. Now, you sounded very mysterious on the phone ...

  CLARA: Er - I hardly know where to start. I'm afraid this is a very delicate matter.

  TONY: Oh? Have I done something dreadful?

  CLARA: No, nothing at all like that. It's really - well - ... I hope it won't seem ... I'm afraid it must be ... Oh dear, I'm sorry to be so awkward about it.

  TONY: What on earth is the matter? I've never known you so flustered.

  CLARA: I've never had such an errand! But I was looking through the parish records ... I'm dreadfully sorry if this is still painful for you, Tony, but