Final script draft

1. Created using Celtx
INT. HISTORY LESSON. DAY.
Half-way through a history session, the LECTURER is telling
the students of the Victorian era, discussing the 'Bradford
Sweet-Poisoning Incident' with a slideshow already set up
behind her.
LECTURER
Finally realizing how dangerous it can
be to sell medication without the
right understanding of the products,
the 'Pharmacy Act of 1868' was put in
to place creating the law of only
those who are specialized in medical
applicants are to sell them.
Clicking onto the next slide, the students are questioned...
Staying on the topic of arsenic
poisoning, sharing a situation that
wasn't as much of an accident,
although it was claimed to be.. does
anybody know who Mary Ann Cotton was?
Really? No one?
BEN
...A Victorian?
LECTURER
Well... yes. But she had impacted
history by being more than just "A
".
Victorian
Lecturer clicks to next slide.
Mary Ann Cotton was, in fact,
Britain's very first, , serial
woman
killer.
Clicks to the next slide.
Known for murdering, possibly, over
twenty-one victims, Mary Ann had
become infamous for targeting her
supposed loved ones with the motive of
getting hold of their life insurance.
Poisoning her own own mother and the
few partners she had, this also
included her very own children. Having
arsenic powder be the go to, the

2. 2.
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supplement would be mixed into the
beverages and meals of her ill loved
ones causing them to soon pass away.
And with arsenic powder not being the
easiest to identify, as mentioned, the
doctors would blame the tragedies on
gastric fever allowing Mary Ann to get
away with her wrong-doings for as long
as she had. In-fact-
RICHARD
-So she just popped out kids only to
murder them for like three quid?
What's the point in that?!
LECTURER
If you think about it though, Richard,
money back then had a way different
value compared to how we use it today.
For what is equivalent to thirty-five
pounds today, the killer would receive
a payment of just over three and a
half grand for every death-
Bell rings, interrupting the discussion as students begin
gathering their belongings to leave.
LECTURER
Well I guess we will be leaving that
there... I hope you all have a lovely
weekend.
AS LECTURER SPEAKS, DIALOGUE FADES OUT AS THE CAMERA FALLS
BEHIND STANDING STUDENTS ENDING THE SCENE.
EXT. THE ARRANGEMENT. DAY.
ESTABLISHING SHOT.
Students leaving the site.
Walking together, three teenagers are on heading home. Side
by side, two are sharing a disagreement as the third walks
with their eyes glued to their phone.
CONNER
Imagine killing your own kid man.
That's just sadistic.

3. 3.
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RICHARD
Y'know Conner, if you were my kid, I
would happily kill you off if that
meant me receiving a grand or two for
your body.
CONNER
There's something wrong with you man.
MARTIN
Hey look at this.
CONNER
What is it?
MARTIN
I was just looking into that Mary Ann
Cotton and-
RICHARD
Keep going with that serial killer
obsession and people are going to
think you are one.
CONNER
Leave him alone man.
MARTIN
It's quite interesting actually...
someone's even a made up a ritual-type
game so you can summon her
supposedly
spirit.
Martin shows his phone to Richard who takes the device, and
starts to read.
RICHARD
That's bull.
RICHARD
You don't actually believe that do
you.
RICHARD
I reckon we should do it.
CONNER
Seriously?
RICHARD
What's the matter Conner? Blood

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turning cold?
Richard laughs as he mocks Conner
CONNER
Well obviously not, it's clearly fake.
They always are.
RICHARD
Fine then, at seven tonight, we'll
meet back up in Houghton and begin the
ritual.
TEEN 2
So we're really doing this?
MARTIN
Are you sure that would be a good
idea? It'll be pitch black.
RICHARD
And that is what will make this more
fun. So what do we need...
Richard takes another look at the phone and read aloud...
RICHARD
A candle per person, match sticks, a
pound coin each and a needle.
CONNER
Urgh fine. Can't believe I'm agreeing
to this... I'll be able to bring the
candles and match sticks'. Doubt I'll
have a needle though-
MARTIN
I'll take one out of my sisters sewing
kit, don't worry about that.
RICHARD
-Great! Well, here's my stop, see you
both tonight!
Richard splits off from the group as the last two carry on
walking [out of the frame].
CAMERA TILTS UP TO THE SUN.

5. 5.
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']EXT. THE RITUAL. NIGHT.
CAMERA TILTS DOWN FROM THE MOON.
Richard is sat on his own at the set location, just now he
notices a torch light from the distance getting closer.
RICHARD
Took your time! Busy getting all
prettied up for the ghosties?
CONNER
Shut up man. We're only half an hour
late.
RICHARD
Whatever. So did yous bring the items?
Setting up, the three sit in a circle with a candle placed in
front of each of them. Holding a pound coin each, Martin
looks back at the website and explains what they have to do.
MARTIN
We must prick the tip of our fingers
with the needle, smear the blood onto
the coin that belongs to us right
before lighting-
CONNER
Hold on, you never said blood had to
be involved with this. Please at least
say you brought us a needle each?!
RICHARD
It's only a drop don't be a wuss.
Carrying on Martin?
MARTIN
Lighting our candles, we must hold the
coin over the flame whilst chanting
together the name, 'Mary Ann Cotton,
you are guilty!' three times. As soon
as we're done we must blow out the
candle, and wait ten to twenty seconds
where it should re-light itself,
representing our safety.
CONNER
So stupid.
With Richard pricking his finger first, the needle is then

6. 6.
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passed onto Conner.
CONNER
'Cause yeah, this is sanitary.
Taking his turn, the needle is finally handed over to Martin
who hesitates slightly. Smearing his blood on the coin, each
all light their candles together. Looking at each other, the
coins are then held in the flame.
ALL THREE
Mary Ann Cotton, you are guilty (x3)
The candles blow out and the three sit in silence.
CONNER
Told you guys this was a waste of-
Everyone's candles re-light apart from Richards' who's candle
only flickers. Spooking the group, Richard let's out a laugh
before a high pitched scream is let off with Richard covering
his ears.
RICHARD
Aargh! What the hell was that?!
CONNER
You're not funny Richard.
RICHARD
How did you not hear that?!
MARTIN
Guys shush!
The group goes quiet as they look around.
CONNER
What? Not you to!
MARTIN
There's someone crying...
Spotting a figure, Martin points as Conner follows his finger
in disbelief.
CONNER
What are you-?
MARTIN
-Over there...

7. 7.
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Martin stands up with his candle and heads over to the figure
with the other two confused, telling him to stay put.
As Martin slowly walks over, the crying and whimpering grows
louder. The figure is hunched over, sat on a small stool,
facing away from the teen as it cries into its hands.
MARTIN
Are... you okay?
With no response, Martin walks closer until he finds himself
behind the figure. Turning its head, the figure grabs for the
teen as it continues to cry and starts to plead-
SPIRIT
"IT WAS AN ACCIDENT! WHY WONT YOU
BELIEVE ME?!"
Panicking, the teen pushes the strange woman off. Falling
over backwards, the figure disappears.
Back at the ritual spot, Richard remains seated as Conner is
stood trying to see their third friend.
CONNER
Where's he gone? I can't see him?!
RICHARD
Strange noises in the distance, why
wouldn't you wonder off on your own.
Conner shivers finding themself to grow cold.
CONNER
Argh I swear it wasn't this cold just
before.
RICHARD
And I swear, all you do is complain!
As Richard speaks, a hand creeps onto the shoulder of Conner
CONNER
Martin, that better be you.
Conner looks back and jumps as nothing is there, the hand
disappears as so does the coldness.
Looking back at Richard, a figure is found stood behind him.
Looking back at his friend confused, Richard's head is then

8. 8.
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pulled back as they begin to panic.
SPIRIT
Oh, my poor baby. Drink, this will
make you better...
The spirit pours powder into the mouth, causing Richard to
choke and collapse.
Martin runs passed the body as they grab Conner who was stood
in shock watching this happen. Grabbing their arm, the two
run out of shot.
As the surviving two run, the third is dragged along the
ground, out of frame.