Script for DETAINEE - 238

Detainee 238

INT. BOYS BEDROOM – NIGHT

A black screen is appearing whilst a clock is ticking in the background. We can hear the click of the lights being switched on. Once the lights are switched on the ticking of the clock fades away.

Yahya and Yusuf are sitting on their bed putting their feet into their slippers, camera focus of their feet only and gradually pans upwards to show the children’s face whilst walking.

YAHYA

(whispers)

sshh quick dont wake up mum

Gestures hand movements telling Yusuf to hurry along. Both creep down the stairs

YUSUF

(quietly)

What are we going to do?

YAHYA

You cant tell mum about this okay, you dont want her to be sad again do you, once this letters sent eveything will be okay and dad will be here again so mum doesnt have to be sad all the time.

YUSUF

(sadly)

I don’t like it when mums sad… here you go you can use my pen.

YAHYA

Writes on paper

Dear Barack Obama..

INT. POLICE INTERVIEW ROOM - MIDDAY

The camera zooms into the clock and a blank screen appears following it. The sound of the light flashing on is heard.

AHMED

(serious)

Being a Muslim does not make me a terrorist!

Pause.

INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

Diegetic sounds of the clock ticking are heard. The camera then zooms out from the living room clock.

YAHYA

i am writing a letter to ask you if you could please release my dad Ahmed. He is innocent and he does not deserve to suffer.. i dont think you should keep my dad in jail because i miss when he used to pick me and my little brother up from school..

EXT. DETENTION CENTRE - MIDDAY Ahmed is gardening and sweeping in the detention centre.

YUSUF

[V/O]

(emotional)

and when he used to read us stories before we went bed. My brother Yusuf hardly remembers what our dad used to be like because his been away from us for so long. My dad used to always make Yusuf drink milk before he used to go to sleep and he used to say it will make Yusuf strong like me and dad, but ever since his left Yusuf hasnt been drinking his milk, and my mums always too upset to remember to give it to him. I think my dad deserves to be here at home, please will you release him.. Thankyou.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Yusuf and Yahya go to bed. You can hear the sounds of the clock ticking in the background. The screen fades to black.

INT. BARACK OBAMA’S OFFICE

Barack Obama is sitting down on his chair with a letter in his hand. He is reading through the letter. His P.A walks in.

P.A

They’re ready for you now sir.

Barack Obama leaves the letter on the edge of the table and as he is walking in a rush the letter accidently falls on the floor near the ‘junk mail’ box. The cleaner then comes in and automatically thinks that the letter belongs to the junk mail pile and takes out the bin.

INT. MAIL SORTING ROOM

Ahmed opens up the bin and shreds junk letters and papers. A letter slips out the bag and falls on the floor. Ahmed picks it up and his eyes click to a word on the letter that says his name on it. He instantly takes a further look at the letter just to assure himself it’s not a letter about him. The letter he picks up is the letter his son sent to Barack Obama.

THE END.