EXT -- OUTSIDE LOUISE'S HOUSE -- DAY
An English street. MRS PATEL, an Indian in her late thirties,
knocks at LOUISE's front door.
LOUISE opens the door. She's in her early
thirties, dressed casually.
MRS PATEL
Louise Draycott.
LOUISE
Yes.
MRS PATEL
My son's name is Rajesh Patel. You're
his English teacher.
LOUISE
Rajesh? Yes.
MRS PATEL
Did you have sex with him?
(beat)
I said, did you have sex with him?
(beat)
He's fourteen years old, Ms Draycott!
LOUISE
(obviously guilty)
Oh my God.
MRS PATEL
I'd better come in.
CUT TO:
INT -- LOUISE'S LIVING ROOM -- DAY
LOUISE's living room is neat but lived-in. Teaching certificates
are displayed on the wall.
LOUISE
I don't know what to say to you, Mrs Patel.
MRS PATEL
I don't know what to say to you either.
LOUISE
Ah--would you like tea?
MRS PATEL
Of course I don't want your tea.
LOUISE
No, of course you don't.
(beat)
What will you do?
MRS PATEL
I ought to speak with the head teacher.
LOUISE
I would deserve that.
MRS PATEL
Why did you do it?
LOUISE
I love him.
MRS PATEL
You do not love him.
LOUISE
I was a fool. I'm so sorry.
MRS PATEL
You should go to prison.
LOUISE
Please--
MRS PATEL
He has a video of you on his phone.
LOUISE
You saw that?
MRS PATEL
It is disgusting.
LOUISE
I've been so stupid.
MRS PATEL
Yes you have.
LOUISE
What will you do?
MRS PATEL
I don't know. I can't think straight.
LOUISE
Please sit down, at least.
They sit.
MRS PATEL
Have you done this to other people's children?
LOUISE
No!
MRS PATEL
What kind of monster are you? A paedophile!
LOUISE
No I'm not. A paedophile's a man who rapes
children. It's not the same.
MRS PATEL
It's exactly the same.
LOUISE
He enjoyed it.
MRS PATEL
You dare say that to me.
(beat)
You have raped my son.
LOUISE
I would never hurt him. I couldn't.
MRS PATEL
Rapist!
LOUISE
Do you believe that?
They lock gazes, and MRS PATEL looks away first.
LOUISE
What I did was wrong, and I'll be punished for
it. But I'm no rapist.
MRS PATEL
I can't think straight. I can't even look at
you. I hate you.
(beat)
I saw you. On Rajesh's phone. Doing things
for him. To him, I mean. Like a prostitute.
LOUISE
So what will you do?
MRS PATEL
Stop asking that.
LOUISE
You can be as angry as you like, Mrs Patel.
You can sit on my sofa calling me names for
hours, if you want. But when you're done,
you'll still have to decide. What will you do?
MRS PATEL
I don't know.
(beat)
You're a teacher. I should be able to trust
you. Why can't I trust you?
LOUISE stands up. She is quite calm now. MRS PATEL remains
distraught.
LOUISE
Mrs Patel. Look at me. What will you do?
MRS PATEL
Will you leave my son alone?
LOUISE
If he wants me to. But if he doesn't, I'll have to
follow my heart.