Crispin de Nys has lived in the Old Town of Marbella for over thirty years. Originally from South Africa he has had an international career as an actor and has written several plays which have been performed. The following is an extract from one of his plays "Hellbrow" which has been adapted as a screenplay. ............................................................................................................................. HELLBROW BY CRISPIN DE NYS
1. EXTERIOR. STREET - HILLBROW. MORNING
On one of the main streets of Hillbrow, we meet SAM a middle aged black man, walking down the street. He is in his late forties - a man who has suffered in the ever changing climate of South Africa.
He walks towards a bar, with his name flashing above the door.
He jingles the keys out of his pocket and opens the bar, entering it.
CUT TO:
2.INTERIOR. BAR. HILLBROW. SATURDAY MORNING
A small bar, with a door to the right which leads to another bar.
A couple of tables with chairs and one bar counter, with bar stools. A typical Hillbrow bar.
The bar itself is in a mess, from the night before. SAM looks around, shakes his head and starts the procedure of cleaning it.
FADE OUT:
3.EXTERIOR. STREET. BAR. MORNING.
DENNIS, a white middle aged man opens the door to the bar. DENNIS could seriously use a bath. He looks scruffy and fits in perfectly with the norm of Hillbrow.
He enters the bar.
CUT TO:
4.INTERIOR. BAR. HILLBROW. MORNING.
SAM is cleaning out the ashtrays as DENNIS enters, he turns around and peers at him.
DENNIS
Morning Sam. How's things?
SAM goes over to the bar fridge, pulls out a can of beer, opens it and hands it over to DENNIS.
DENNIS accepts it gratefully and starts to down it.
DENNIS
Thanks, just what I needed.
SAM
Pleasure. Had a bad night here last night.
DENNIS
(nodding his head) Uha uha. Rough Friday night crowd.
Takes another long sip from his glass and wipes his mouth
Could see how things were going. Looked in at
Mike's Tavern – even worse there.
Whilst DENNIS is talking he looks around the room, into the pot plant next to the window. In the pot plant he spots a hypodermic needle. He picks it up.
DENNIS
Christ man what is this place coming to?
SAM looks up at his hand.
SAM
Wouldn't touch that if I were you.
DENNIS Yeah. Right.
He drops it hastily back in the pot plant and goes off through the door marked gents to wash his hands.
As DENNIS enters the toilet, DESIREE (real name Charlene) enters the bar. She is in her late forties. Her face tells you of the type of life she had let and her dress indicates her profession - Prostitute.
DESIREE
Morning Sam.
SAM looks up from underneath the counter, his whole face lights up with delight when he sees her.
SAM
Good morning Desiree.
DESIREE
Got any crisps?
She holds her tummy, showing signs of obvious hunger.
SAM
Sure. Have these.
He pulls out a packet from underneath the bar and gives them to her.
DESIREE (taking them)
Thanks. I'm starving, haven't eaten a thing yet.
Just then DENNIS comes out of the toilet, sees DESIREE and walks towards her. DESIREE sees him.