Deadly Display (2023)

[bunniefuu]

Midnight on the wall.

And you're so far away.

If I could cut this tether

I'd be with you today.

The room is cold and silent.

But there is no other way.

If I could only touch you

I'd give it all away

I'd give it all away.

We do it all for love.

We know no other way.

We do it all for love.

We give it all away.

We do it all for love.

Science tells thousand stories.

Stories of your love.

The night is knocking at my window

I'm alone again.

I wonder where you are

I wonder what you'd say.

If I appeared outside your door.

And held you through the day.

This day is cold and silent.

But there is no other way.

Tomorrow, I will touch you.

And I'll give it all away

I'll give it all away.

We do it all for love.

We know no other way.

We do it all for love.

We give it all away.

We do it all for love.

The silence tells thousand stories.

Stories of your love.

This night will fade away.

And I will be with you again

I'll be with you again

I'll be with you again.

I'll be with you again.

Whoa.

That was great.

Yeah, we almost beat, actually.

Yeah.

I really liked that.

You up to much later?

Just hooking up with Louise in about...

sh*t, 20 minutes ago.

Perfecto.

Hi, Dad.

Hey, Tess.

How'd the rehearsal go?

Awesome, considering

I'm practice in a few years.

Was Doug all right with you?

Yeah, like nothing even happened.

He was such a pro.

Honestly, it had me so nervous.

Anyway, you and mom about?

I can come round, show you my new costume.

It's so...

Whatever that is.

Send us a picture.

Listen, I've got a favor to ask you.

Would you mind staying on

at the club a little bit longer?

I've got plans today.

Can Scotland stay?

He's just finishing up lighting and sound.

It would only be for a few hours.

I've got someone who's

interested in buying the club.

He said he's going to drop

down there around 1:30.

So if you could show him around, keep

him happy until I get there.

His name's Edward.

Listen, sorry to spring

this on you last minute,

but it looks like he

might be willing to pay

over the asking price.

I was talking to him about you, actually.

Seems he used to work in the West End.

All the big shows.

Pretty sure he said

he's retired now, though.

Anyway, are you OK with all that?

Yeah, that's absolutely fine.

Oh, bless you, Tess.

I'll send you over the details.

Hey.

Hey.

Absolute magic on the stage today.

Yeah, completely agree.

Isn't Louise supposed to be

picking you up or something?

Yeah.

She's about as late as I am.

You know, perfect for each other.

We're going away to

her folks' for the weekend.

We've not been able to see

each other much recently.

Work's been hectic.

Ships passing in the night, as they say.

Well, you know how it is.

Yeah, I know how it was.

Is?

Sorry.

Yeah.

Tess, if we're going to make

this whole band thing work,

you've got to accept things how they are.

Doug, are you being serious?

What, because I look to you

in that one line on that song?

Oh, come on, it didn't mean anything.

It was just a song.

It made me feel uncomfortable.

I just thought you'd like to know.

I mean, yeah, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I won't do it again.

Honestly, Tess, I want this to work.

We deserve this.

But things are better now.

Nothing can hold us back.

Let's rock and...

Roll.

Yeah.

I better be off.

Doug, Doug.

It's a good... you know?

Oh, sh*t.

Yeah, cheers.

Later.

Practice, 10:00 AM.

Stupid b*stard.

You scared me.

It's all gone?

Yeah.

You know that's Doug's?

He'll k*ll you if he sees you in it.

Need any help?

I'm good, thanks.

Hey, can't you read?

Staff only.

Surely I'm counted as staff.

At least today.

Just messing.

Well, actually, I do have someone coming

in 90 minutes for my

dad, so I would appreciate

a little bit of help.

Cool.

Hi Jess, it's Doug.

Just want to say thank you again for today.

Maybe things might work out between us

and we can be together again on on stage.

As a band, I mean.

I'm glad we can remain friends.

And Louise is coming to our next rehearsal.

She even said she doesn't mind doing some...

Well, I guess it's kick out time.

Afraid so.

Leave your glass on

the bar and I'll wash it up.

I appreciate it.

What are you up to later on?

I'm supposed to be having

c*ck with Melanie.

You know Mel, right?

Melanie.

Melanie Hopper from college.

She joined the army, didn't she?

Yeah, that's her.

So she's on leave at the moment.

Though, I've got to show some

guy around this place and then

wait for my dad.

Should be done around 4:00.

Would you mind if I joined you and Mel?

I mean, I could pick you up after.

Here, you give me a call

and we can go for a drink.

So I've got some ideas for

a music video for your band,

and I'd like to run that by you.

Yeah, that's great, Matt.

Actually, I was going to

run it through with Doug.

I completely forgot today.

So maybe the three of us could get together

and have a little brainstorm.

And I'm sure Doug will have

some really good ideas as well.

So yeah.

But thank you so much

for today, and cheers.

So much help.

You still like him, don't you?

I mean, it's none of my business.

But he's happy now.

You guys are getting

your band back together,

and I think you should

focus on what's important.

Yeah?

Didn't you just say it

was none of your business

and we should focus on what's important?

So what?

Were just drinking out there

to gain some Dutch courage

to ask me out or something?

You're a really nice guy, but...

But?

But how would it work?

It wouldn't be fair on Doug.

He'd feel like a third wheel.

Like I did?

OK, OK.

So you think now that the band

is back together and I'm single

and you're single, that

suddenly it's your go?

Don't make this any more

awkward than it already is.

You're right.

It's just that when I saw you again,

I remembered how much I really like you.

And how much I missed you.

As a friend.

But I just wanted to

see how things could go.

Maybe...

Look, Matt, now's not the time, OK?

It's not the time.

Hiya, are you Edward?

Excuse me?

Are you here to see the place?

Oh, yes.

Hi, I'm Tess.

You spoke to my dad earlier.

Oh, hi, yeah.

Sorry if I'm a bit late.

Oh, you're actually early.

If you just want to go

through and I'll lock up quick.

Cool.

Wow.

This place has changed.

Must be 20 years since I played here.

Oh, cool.

You're in a band.

What did you play?

Quite a few of my time.

Keyboards and backing vocals, mostly.

Hey, would you mind if I got on the stage?

No, no.

Go ahead.

This thing got power?

Sorry, no, my band was rehearsing earlier,

and we got a gig in a week.

Ah, I can imagine he was

the lead singer of a band.

I bet you've got the voice of an angel.

What's the name of your

band and when are they on?

I'll put it in the diary.

I'll come and support you.

So we're called Moments of Clarity.

It's post-nuke punk.

And we're playing Friday on the ninth.

Yeah, I like it.

I'll tell you what.

How about after you've shown

me around, you sing me a song.

I've managed a few bands in my time,

and, well, if I do take this

place on, we need live music.

And a house band would be amazing.

Plus, give me a chance

to listen to the acoustics

and check out the sound system.

Yeah, I'd love to.

I've got so many plans for this place.

Plays, film nights.

Why do one of your tracks?

Really?

You want to hear one of my tracks?

Oh, I don't know.

It's been a long time since

I've been in front of an audience.

Well, it's just going to be you and me,

and I'm going to be in

the sound booth, so...

I don't know.

I'll see how I feel.

Ah.

Weird being back on this stage.

Well, it wasn't on this

stage in particular, but...

I don't want to talk about it.

Sorry.

My dad's just messaged.

He said he's not going to make it down,

but he said if you are

interested in the place,

just give him a call later.

Oh, OK.

Yeah, I'll do that.

Listen, I hope this isn't

messing up your plans for today.

No, no, it's been a

doomed from the start day.

But you're not here to

listen to my problems.

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, Tess.

You know, sometimes

talking about your problems

can help you in gaining

a different perspective.

I know we've only just met

me, but I'm happy to listen.

Sometimes talking to a

stranger can be just as helpful

as talking to someone you know.

I really appreciate that, but as I said,

you're not here to listen to my problems,

so let's see the rest of the place,

and I'm sure a lot has

changed in the last five years.

Come on.

You're not going to answer that?

Three missed calls.

Don't worry.

He knows I'm busy.

You know that guy I saw

you at the door with earlier?

- Is that your boyfriend?

- What?

Matt?

No, no, he's my dad's handyman.

Ah.

Yeah, workplace relationships

can be very destructive.

I've been there, done that.

Right.

Do you want a drink?

Go on.

You twisted my arm.

So what do you think?

Do you know what?

I think I will put an

offer in on this place.

Your dad's done a great job with it.

Excellent.

Yeah, yeah, he really loved this place.

You're not having one?

I wasn't going to.

The way you were talking earlier,

I think you'd need more than a beer.

Come on, join me.

Oh, all right.

You twisted my arm.

Cheers.

Cheers.

Have you got any plans

for the rest of the day at all?

Are you OK?

It's the anniversary of

my wife's death today.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Oh, that's all right.

You didn't know.

And it's not likely to be

something you bring up, is it?

I visit her on the first

Monday of every month.

Comes around so fast.

Still, she's not very far

from here, so there's no rush.

We can still enjoy our drinks.

Here's to you, Alice.

And here's to the riches you've given me.

And thank you for making my dream of owning

my own nightclub come true.

And may your family rot

in their own personal hell

for what they did to me.

I'm sorry.

Got a bit dark there, Tess.

I'm sorry to hear they did

that... or whatever they did.

But if it helps, I think you seem

like a nice and genuine man.

Harmless, I hope.

Who's pissed at me.

I've never hurt anyone in my life.

Well, hey, didn't you say

you wanted to hear a song?

I think I've got just the right one.

Come on.

I wrote this song for Alice before...

Well, you know.

You know I have this feeling

you're not like the other ones.

Don't ask me why

I want to take you in my arms.

And hold you till it passes as you cry.

Don't really know what's good for you.

But all that I can do is truly try.

But at the end of promises and moments.

There is always goodbye.

There is always goodbye.

And every night, I dream of you

I hold your hand in mine.

An underlying need to

fill the emptiness inside.

And if you were here with me now

I'd stop the hands of time.

This night would last forever.

And we never say goodbye, goodbye.

Edward, are you OK?

Edward?

Hey, are you OK?

That was absolutely beautiful.

Alice must have loved it.

She hated it.

Now I feel like I hate it.

It's been so long since I played it.

You know when you think

you've repressed those feelings?

And something triggers them.

Like someone opened the floodgates

with traumatic memories.

I'm sorry, Jess.

You don't have to apologize for anything.

I loved it.

And it's Tess.

Tess, of course.

Listen, should we finish our drinks?

Great idea.

Edward?

Tess, are we alone here?

Yeah, of course.

Why?

I saw someone in your kitchen.

That's impossible.

I've locked up and the alarms are on, so...

Hello?

You know this place is haunted, don't you?

Did your dad never tell

you the history of this place?

Probably not.

It's extremely unpleasant.

It all happened on that very stage.

Hello?

Hello?

Edward?

Stop it.

It's just this mask reflected

in a mirror on the wall.

It's great.

Yeah.

That's Matt, the guy

you saw outside earlier.

Oh, that's your handyman, right?

Yeah, he is...

Dad loves him.

But not boyfriend material.

You're single, aren't you?

Not to be rude, but...

I know.

I know, it's none of my business.

That's what she always said.

She was wrong.

It was my business.

Look where it got her.

If you only knew the lengths

you went to destroy me,

to humiliate me, to make

me feel worthless in front

of her friends, my friends,

her family, my family.

And I'm the bad guy?

So I should go to jail?

Eight years, Tess.

I'm sorry.

I've made you feel nervous, haven't I?

It's just that I get carried away,

and, well, this place

holds so much nostalgia.

And then playing that song that I wrote,

maybe it's not such a good

idea taking this place on after all.

It's a lot to take on if you're

not in the right frame of mind.

I never said I wasn't in

the right frame of mind.

Hey, let's stop all this negative talk.

I'll tell you what, you get

your drink, I'll get the table,

and we'll go back to

having fun like we were.

There you go.

Hey, we've got a great

view of the stage, haven't we?

Yeah.

What play are we watching?

Excuse me?

I don't know.

I'm only having fun with you.

But I know I play we could watch.

It's called The Point of m*rder.

Never heard of it.

Nobody has.

Apart from those that were

there on the opening night.

I wrote it.

It was a two-hander, but

they said that my performance

was most captivating.

They said that we'd take it to Broadway,

that it would win awards, but

it was never meant to be Tess.

The producer, my wife and co-star,

decided that she wanted

all the glory for herself.

She was jealous that I'd written

something so poignant, so deep.

So she changed a few things

and took credit for everything.

Nobody believed I wrote it.

We never performed the show again.

She couldn't find a

replacement for my part,

because I couldn't be replaced.

Her changes to the

script ruined everything.

Our relationship, my

career, and ultimately, her life.

You don't get eight years

for stealing a chocolate bar,

do you, Tess?

Have you ever lost the one

thing you trusted and loved

because of one mistake?

I'm really sorry to hear about your play.

That's not what I asked.

Have you ever lost the one

thing you trusted and loved

because of one mistake?

Yeah, hasn't everyone?

True.

So what about you, Tess?

What's your story?

I really don't want to get

into my personal life with you.

No offense, but I really don't know you.

Well, get to know me

whilst we're sitting here.

You've got no my plans.

Do you know what?

f*ck that b*tch.

I've shown her enough respect.

How many times can you

say you're sorry before it

loses all meaning?

I really don't feel comfortable.

I want you to go.

Can you leave?

I'm sorry.

I've scared you, haven't I?

That wasn't my intention.

It's just some people are more

open than others searching

for answers, and sometimes

they can come from the strangest

of places or people.

Believe me, Tess, I only want to help.

This is one of those pranks, right?

Is that like microphones

and cameras around?

Under the table?

Did my dad put you up for this?

Now you're scaring me.

Was it Doug?

Oh, who's that?

Is that your brother?

Do you really not know who he is?

You're freaking me out.

I want you to go.

But I haven't finished my drink.

I am sure you can drink

as fast as you can talk.

Oh, Tess, this isn't a

prank or an intervention.

It's just me being an idiot and making

people feel uncomfortable.

That's the reason that I

wanted to take on this place.

Just in the hope of making some friends.

Someone that could listen to

you as they told me their conflicts

and worries.

And maybe if their life need

fixing, I could fix it for them.

And then when I saw you this morning,

I saw someone that was conflicted,

that was held back by the past.

I thought that if I opened

up to you about my problems,

that you'd open up to me.

Edward, you have to understand that not

everyone is going to

open up about their lives

and personal problems.

And telling people that

you k*lled your wife...

Hang on a minute.

I never said I k*lled her.

If you must know, it was manslaughter.

Hence the short sentence.

If this was our first date, I

think I would have blown it.

I really don't think we'd have worked.

No offense.

None taken.

Well, I guess I'd better

be making a move, Tess.

Thanks for your hospitality.

Perhaps I should go to

the graveyard after all.

Yeah.

I'll see you out.

I spoke to your father.

I've decided to take this place on.

Oh, that's great news.

He said that I could wait

inside until he arrives.

I'd really rather you didn't.

There is a coffee shop

just across the road.

Or one up there.

Really?

You loved my song.

I didn't hurt you.

I just wanted someone to talk to.

Can I at least come in

and take my medication

with a glass of water?

I should have taken them half an hour ago.

Please?

OK.

Just quick.

I see you left our table.

Yeah, I was just cleaning

up when you came back, so.

Was it worth it?

I don't know what you're on about.

Letting me back in.

I thought maybe we could sing together

while we wait for your dad.

Well?

What do you say?

I'm really not in the mood.

No problem.

Hang on.

I don't really need to

ask your permission, do I?

I own this place.

Yeah.

Really not in the mood to sing.

Shame.

Still, if you've got things to do,

maybe I could play you

some of my new material.

I think you'll like it.

Oh, sh*t.

Oh, I'm so sorry.

Have you got a mop and bucket?

I'll clean it up.

No, it's fine. I'll do it.

I'll do it.

So, so clumsy of me.

It was an accident.

It's fine.

There's no power.

Yeah, I turned it off.

Wait.

Don't go.

We haven't finished yet.

This could have gone many ways, Tess.

You and I. You seem

to have chosen this path.

Whether you like it or

not, this is your reality.

Your fate.

Do you ever look up at the night sky,

stare at the stars and imagine that they're

an SOS from another world, hoping someone

will come and rescue them?

Still twinkling and flashing.

Like a beacon of hope when

everybody's already dead.

How many lost souls does

it take to create a star, Tess?

Edward, I don't understand...

Don't interrupt me.

This is the closing monologue of act one

of my new play, A Deadly Display.

Do you like the title?

There's something not quite right about it.

Hang on, I've got it.

Deadly Display.

Just that.

We've done a great job of acting

it out so far, haven't we, Tess?

That's the play.

That's the play we've been watching.

I don't...

I don't mean to sound

mean, but you're really

starting to f*cking unnerve me.

That was my intention, forgive me.

Go.

We can do better than that, Tess.

Seriously, what's that going to do?

I said get the f*ck out.

Get out.

I don't think your father

would appreciate you talking

to me like that, do you?

Now, face the audience and bow.

It's intermission time.

Clap and bow.

Clap and bow for them.

The audience have been

kind enough to await your bow.

Look out into the sea of

faces, transfixed to see

what's going to happen next.

We must not disappoint them.

No performance is worth dying for.

Let go of me.

Then let's bow together.

That wasn't so hard, was it?

Stop!

Look here.

It looks like I went a

little bit too far this time.

I'm sorry, Tess.

Sometimes I get carried away.

Let me see your foot.

I think it's broken.

I'll take you to the hospital.

No, no.

Oh, f*ck!

Oh.

I think I deserve that.

I'll just tell them I fell off the stage.

We don't have to tell anyone, I promise.

Such a nice outfit.

Such a shame I ruined it.

She used to dress just like you.

I never liked it.

I didn't want to say it before.

It's OK.

I...

Take it off.

What?

Now let's try this again.

Then take it off.

Take it off.

I know what you said.

You weren't going to hurt me.

All right.

It's all right, Tess.

I did, but I didn't promise.

If you do anything, I'm going to...

Take it off!

No, I won't!

Save your voice, please.

I listened to you.

I even felt sorry for you.

I just... I didn't know how to respond, OK?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

You felt sorry for me?

You said sometimes you

just need someone to talk to.

A stranger.

A stranger is helpful.

But I'm not a stranger anymore, am I?

This is the second time we've met.

Why don't we just go to the

bar and we can have that drink?

Yeah?

Edward, what are you doing?

You never asked me

what happened to my wife.

The report said that she

died almost instantly, which

I suppose is good for her.

Weird, though, because her

body did spasm a few times.

It wasn't in a bathroom.

Certainly not a toilet.

It was in her bedroom.

The reasons for the argument aren't

important, just the outcome.

Would like me to tell you

what the outcome was?

They say the eyes are

the windows to the soul.

Is this the key to unlock yours?

She was foolish.

She moved forwards, causing

the points to pierce her pupil.

Instinctively, I pushed deeper.

I even gave it a good twist.

And then, as if by magic,

the key disappeared.

I won't bore you with how I convinced

them that it was an accident.

Here's what I see happening.

I remove my hand from your throat

and you drop yours by your side.

Are you shaking because you're nervous?

Are you shaking your head?

Yeah, yeah.

Have we got a deal?

I think you know what happens next, Tess?

Come on, Tess, pick up.

Where are you?

They'll still say you

fell off the stage, right?

I don't think I've marked you anywhere.

This can be our little secret, Tess.

Well, let's make a move.

If I don't see you again,

it's been a pleasure.

Was it worth it?

Hello?

Oh, excuse me.

I'm sorry to bother you.

You can't be in here.

Closed.

Look, whatever it is, I can't help you.

He's here, isn't he?

I found his medication box outside.

Why does he keep doing this?

Glen?

Look, when we're close to the public.

We are closed.

Come on.

You expect me to believe that?

Look at the state of you.

You're actually his type.

You can't just walk in here.

Well, if he's not here,

why do you keep stopping

me from looking around?

How many times do I have to say it,

but we're closed to the public.

We are closed.

Are you OK?

Not really.

It's just... It's just nothing.

This doesn't concern you.

I'm going to leave.

I apologize for acting irrational.

He's got to be close by.

I'll find him.

Do you have a photo of Glen?

Not the best picture to show.

He dyed his hair dark brown

and had a shave this morning.

To be fair, this time

there won't be anything

I could do to help him.

Did you recognize him?

No.

I found out recently he hasn't

been taking his medication,

and I fear what he'll

do if he doesn't take it.

It's just been me rehearsing alone today.

I fell off the stage, so I'm

just about to go to there.

Liar!

No, Glen!

Oh, what have you done?

What have you done?

Oh my god.

He's dead.

What have you done to him?

What have you done to him?

What the f*ck have you done, too?

What did he do to you?

Oh my god.

Oh, Jesus.

You didn't deserve this.

I failed you again.

You b*tch.

You're just staring at him,

admiring what you've done.

You left him alone to die.

Oh, I can see she's a

sl*t like the rest of them.

I'll make sure she pays for what she did.

I won't let our names be tarnished.

I'm not a sl*t.

Don't call me that.

You're a sl*t.

You're going to play victim to the police

like the rest of them.

In fact, let's go to the police.

Good.

Call them.

There's cameras everywhere,

and they're going to back my story.

You're his wife, aren't you?

Alice?

Just call the police.

And why would I do that?

If you want to call them,

then come and get the phone.

You're the one with the explaining to do.

Must be hard that you can't

even look in the eyes of someone

you m*rder*d.

I hope they haunt you

for the rest of your life.

Enough of solitude tonight.

This time is ours.

And the skies have

burned away from the skies.

From the skies.

We are not who we used to be.

This time is ours, but we are free.

But I see goodbye in your eyes.

Goodbye in your eyes.

In your eyes.

That was the last part of a song he wrote.

My favorite.

Thanks to you, I would never hear it again.

Police, police?

Yeah, there's been a m*rder.

Yeah.

Yeah, two people.

Two people dead.

Yeah.

The Wedgewood Rooms.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Deborah?

Yeah, yeah, you need to come now.

Yeah.

He told me what he did to you.

He terrified me.

He r*ped me.

I didn't... I didn't have a choice.

What did you expect me to do?

I understand you're his wife, but you know

what he's capable of, clearly.

Just... just help me.

Help me.

Don't let him do this again.

I need to call my dad.

Can you just help me up?

Shut up.

You have no right to beg.

Shut up.

You have no right to talk, no right to beg.

Did he beg?

You didn't even give him a chance.

He was everything to me, and

you've taken it away from me.

Who will love me now?

You don't have to do this.

I know what he did to you.

How he uses to control you.

You know nothing about me.

You're right, you're right.

I don't.

But he told me... he told

me what he did to you.

And that gives you the right to judge me?

Like he said you would

and all the rest of them?

I'm nothing without him.

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.

I'm not judging you.

I'm not judging you.

You're right.

You're right.

He did that to you.

He did that so you'd feel

undesirable to other men.

It doesn't... it doesn't

have to end like this.

I take full responsibility

for what I've done,

and I accept that.

I accept that.

You're the real victim here.

And if you do this, they

will find out sooner or later.

And then this is going to be your legacy.

What are you saying?

You're no better than him.

I'm saying we all make mistakes.

And mistakes have consequences.

What have you done?

You know I have this feeling

you're not like the other ones.

Don't ask me why

I want to take you in my arms.

And hold you till it passes as you cry.

Don't really know what's good for you.

But all that I can do is truly try.

But at the end of promises and moments.

There is always goodbye