Snatched

insert:

  clock: 11:04

  Nick reaches the payphone and snatches up the receiver. He dials 999 and leans his head against the phone, receiver to his ear, looking down.

  PHONE RINGING. It is answered.

  operator (phone)

  999 Emergency. Which service, please?

  Nick hangs up and snatches up a phone book lying on a shelf beneath the phone, which his bowed head must have been staring at.

  insert:

  phone book cover

  Advertising certain things, including Indian restaurants.

  Nick opens the phonebook. He finds a certain page and a certain line, and then slaps the book shut.

  He walks over to the Businessman. The man has an earpiece plugged into his laptop and is listening intently.

  nick

  Can I use your laptop a second, sir?

  The Businessman looks at him, waves him off, and focuses once more on what he’s doing. Nick looks angry. But he turns away. Looks for the Young Couple and sees them cuddling in the corner. They don’t look like they’re going anywhere soon.

  ian

  You okay? You know where the rest of your party is?

  nick

  I’ll just look outside. We all got lost near here. Back in a moment. Mind if I have some more peanuts?

  ian

  Go ahead. You want something hot? This lounge and the kitchen are open until twelve. We’re not one of those places that sends its customers to bed early. Food-wise, we’ve got -

  He cuts off as Erica slaps his arm. Nick notices.

  nick

  Thanks. No, it’s fine. Peanuts will do. My party should be coming soon. Wouldn’t abandon a guy on his stag do.

  Nick goes to the bar and takes peanuts. And we see him secretly palm the knife that was beside the bowl.

  nick

  Back in a minute. Hey, do you have enough rooms for five or six guys? My wedding isn’t until tomorrow afternoon. Thought we’d stay here.

  Erica seems not as put out by Nick’s presence now that he’s offering more custom.

  erica

  We can put you and your friends up. If they’re not too drunk.

  nick

  Back in a moment.

  He goes for exit. Once there, he stops, turns.

  nick

  Where am I, by the way? How far from Rotherham?

  ian

  This is the Peak District. Half an hour’s fast drive away. You didn’t know where they were taking you?

  nick

  Back in a moment.

  EXT. b&b, rooms - NIGHT

  Nick moves quickly along the line of rooms. Past number 1, which is lit and with a flash car in the space in front. The others are dark until number 6. The Young Couple’s room, probably. The window is bright, the curtains open. The bike in the parking space is an off-road specialty. Nick moves to the window. He has the knife in his hand.

  THROUGH THE WINDOW

  We see a shower, bed, kitchen area, all in one room. On a table lays the Young Couple’s biker gear.

  Nick looks at the bike. There’s a docking station for a Sat Nav on the petrol tank. Nick puts the knife between the door and the frame, forcing it against the lock. But he’s no good at this breaking and entering lark. He stops, looking around. We’re in the middle of nowhere here. No one to hear. So he runs his shoulder against the door and it flies open. The NOISE is quite loud, carrying off across the land. No time to waste.

  INT. b&b room - NIGHT

  Nick moves quickly. He searches the biker clothing. Keys fall out the moment he picks up a jacket. He grabs them. Under all the gear is the Sat Nav. And an expensive-looking watch. He notes the time then slips the watch over his wrist. Then he stares at the biker gear and seems to think, why not? He starts change into the biker gear.

  EXT. woods road - NIGHT

  FOLLOWING THE BIKE as it roars along the empty road, under the canopy of tree branches. Nick is kitted out in full biker leathers – including gloves, boots and helmet. The HEADLIGHT cuts into the dark; light from the Sat Nav illuminates Nick’s helmet.

  FURTHER ALONG

  The bike races at us, then past in a wash of NOISE and LIGHT and blowing DEBRIS, and is gone. Around a corner, the headlight fading, until all is black.