Episode 1: A blank piece of paper by ARIANE SHERINE

INT. BUS. DAY.

The camera is taking the POV of the passenger next to LEILA, a small slightly chubby Asian girl. She is looking away as she speaks.

LEILA

...and that was that. (She turns to look straight into camera) But it's all behind me now. I stuck a pin in the map and Brighton is where I wanna be.

Cut to TITLE SEQUENCE. The last shot is LEILA revealed as the bus pulls away, standing with her bag.

CLUB, NIGHT EXTERIOR

LEILA walks up to a swish, exclusive-looking club. TWO BOUNCERS stand behind a red velvet rope.

LEILA (VOICE OVER)

Forget London, New York or Tokyo. Brighton's where I'm gonna make my name.

She reaches the BOUNCERS. The LEAD BOUNCER, SHASH, is tall, athletic and good-looking, but also a little menacing. He stands with his arms folded, a resolute look on his face.

SHASH

Sorry, the club's full.

LEILA digs a pass out of her handbag.

LEILA

Leila Ahmed, journalist.

LEILA flashes the pass at him.

SHASH

That's your Young Person's Railcard.

LEILA looks embarrassed, closes the pass and puts it back in her handbag, then rummages again.

LEILA

You've got to let me in. I'm meant to be writing a feature on the club.

SHASH

Who for?

LEILA

Um... Marie Claire.

SHASH

Who's she?

CHARLIE, a tall pretty blonde girl, comes up behind him.

LEILA

Look, please let me in. I am a top journalist...

CHARLIE's eyes light up.

CHARLIE

Really? Shash, let her in.

SHASH

But she's -

CHARLIE

I said, let her in!

SHASH reluctantly undoes the velvet rope and lets LEILA through. LEILA smiles at

CHARLIE. They shake hands.

CHARLIE

I'm Charlie. So you're press?

LEILA nods.

CHARLIE

There's only one story round here.

LEILA

What's that?

CHARLIE

Me.

CLUB, BAR

CHARLIE shows LEILA into the club. LEILA carries a tall cocktail glass.

CHARLIE

After all, I am the only It girl in Brighton. This is Daddy's club, and these are all my friends.

CHARLIE gesticulates to the crowd. The club is full of cool, friendly, smiling people.

LEILA subtly gestures to camera to follow her in.

LEILA (VOICEOVER)

Am I the queen of the blaggers or what? Close up on a handsome guy, LEWIS, singing on stage. CHARLIE inclines her head at him.

CHARLIE

That's Lewis. Not much upstairs, but he's rumoured to have loads downstairs.

DREAM SEQUENCE

Cut to Lewis dressed in leather, wearing heavy eye make-up, posing with his guitar as a phallic extension. The background is lit RED.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER)

He's got the perfect mix of looks talent and attitude.

ST GABRIELS ROAD, LEWIS'S KITCHEN - DAY

Cut to Lewis in a pinny and yellow marigolds.

LEWIS

Done the washing up, mum.

CLUB, BAR

CHARLIE then points to SEB, who is bringing RACHEL a drink.

CHARLIE

That's Seb. He wants to make his fortune from mobile phones.

RACHEL takes the drink. SEB gets his mobile phone out.

CHARLIE

His other hobby is women.

ANIMATED OBJECT: PHONE

An animated phone shows the text.

TEXT Hey Seb. Thanx 4 last night, u were gr8. xxxx

EXIT ANIMATED OBJECT.

CLUB, BAR

RACHEL turns to SEB.

RACHEL

Who's that from?

SEB

Just another satisfied customer.

RACHEL strokes his hair. We stay looking at her as Charlie speaks.

CHARLIE

That's Rachel, Seb's girlfriend. She wants to be an Olympic sprinter.

ATHLETICS TRACK - DAY

A few seconds of RACHEL sprinting.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER)

Runs like a gazelle.

DREAM SEQUENCE

Rachel growls into camera. The background is Yellow and Black.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER)

Shags like a tiger.

INT. CLUB - NIGHT

RACHEL downs the drink in one.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER) (CONT..)

Drinks like a fish.

RACHEL

This is the last one, yeah Seb.

INT. CLUB - NIGHT

CHARLIE walks up to a slim red-haired girl. LEILA follows.

CHARLIE

And this is Jo. She works behind the bar.

JO is taking photos of LEWIS and pays no attention. We see her POV through the lens - she is zooming up on LEWIS and cutting out the other two band members.

CHARLIE spots ALAN.

CHARLIE

Oh, there's Daddy! Excuse me.

CHARLIE runs off. AS LEILA turns to see her go, she is bumped by someone passing and pours her drink all over JO's camera.

JO

You stupid cow.

LEILA

Sorry I... I was just... someone pushed...

Leila tries to demonstrate what happened and pours the rest of her drink down JO's cleavage. JO pushes LEILA.

JO

My dress. You psycho.

Jo's push bumps LEILA into someone who pushes her quite hard so that she crashes back into JO who is wiping herself down. JO slips on the drink and falls. She gets straight up and launches herself at LEILA. The crowd start chanting "Fight, fight..." The band play on. Over their fight we hear LEILA'S V/O.

LEILA (VOICEOVER)

Am I the queen of the clumsy clods, or what?

JO swings for LEILA, who just ducks in time.

LEILA

Look please let's not fight.

INT. CLUB, DANCEFLOOR BAND

n the other side of the club, also watching the band. SEB and RACHEL stand facing the same way, SEB standing behind RACHEL with his arms around her. RACHEL closes her eyes.

RACHEL

Oh Seb. Isn't this perfect?

SEB's eyes rest on a pretty girl. We close up on her chest.

SEB

Absolutely perfect.

RACHEL

We should do this more often.

Another girl walks past in a low-cut top. SEB skims her figure.

SEB

Definitely.

RACHEL

Shall I get them in?

SEB

What about training tomorrow?

RACHEL is dismissive.

RACHEL

It'll be fine.

INT. CLUB, GREEN ROOM

CHARLIE talks to her father, ALAN.

CHARLIE

This is my year, Daddy. I know I'm going to make it. I just need a teensy bit more money.

ALAN

Charlotte, the last time I gave you money, you bought a chihuahua. You then suffocated it in your handbag.

CHARLIE

Well, I didn't know you weren't meant to zip it up.

ALAN

And the time before that, you bought breast implants.

CHARLIE

Yeah, well, they're necessary. Like air and stuff.

ALAN

You know I'm planning on entering politics, Charlotte. I don't want you destroying my reputation.

CHARLIE

Don't worry Daddy. I only want the money for promotion. I've met this fabulous journalist who's going to write about me. Look, there she is!

She points, then covers her mouth in dismay as ALAN looks on, perturbed.

CLUB, DANCEFLOOR - NIGHT

JO and LEILA are still shoving each other, trading insults.

JO

Why don't you bog off back to Scotland? No one wants you here.

LEILA

I'm trying to apologise, you freak.

LEILA pushes JO so hard she falls on the floor. She's lost her temper now. LEILA stands over JO as she looks up fearfully.

Everyone but LEILA and JO freeze. LEILA stands over JO.

LEILA PTC

I only came here to make friends and then this bitch attacks me.

JO PTC

She attacked me...

LEILA (to Jo)

Oh, don't be ridiculous. (to camera) What should I do? Should I help her up and make friends or teach her a lesson? The Video freezes. ANIMATED QUESTION appears

SHOULD LEILA: HELP JO UP OR TEACH HER A LESSON?

YOU CHOOSE "HELP JO UP".

INT. CLUB, DANCEFLOOR - NIGHT

LEILA reaches out her hand to JO and pulls her up.

LEILA

Sorry. Let's be friends.

CUT TO

SEQUENCE of LEILA and JO in various locations, laughing, hugging, being best mates.

ST GABRIELS ROAD, INTERIOR FLAT

LEILA and JO on sofa laughing.

LEILA and JO sitting in bed doing hair, etc.

QUASAR

Leila messing around with Jo.

GYM

LEILA hugging JO

CLUB, DANCEFLOOR - NIGHT

SHASH THE BOUNCER strides up and drags LEILA's away.

SHASH

Wait till Marie Claire hears about this!

CLUB - NIGHT

JO PTC

Hey, by the way. Thanks for taking my side back there. I'll remember that. You're a proper friend.

CLUB - NIGHT EXTERIOR

SHASH throws LEILA out.

SHASH

I don't ever want to see you here again! Go and crawl back under your rock.

SHASH winks at the other bouncer.

SHASH

Feisty that one.

CLUB - NIGHT EXTERIOR

LEILA brushes herself off, humiliated, and walks down the road. She wipes a tear from her eye.

LEILA (VOICEOVER)

My first night in Brighton, and I've already made two enemies. Great going, Leila. They're both right - why don't I go and live somewhere else?

DREAM SEQUENCE

LEILA stands in front of a projector beam. Projected are the words - MY LIFE, and under these words, nothing.

LEILA (VOICEOVER)

After all, it's not like I need to be anywhere in particular. I'm a blank page. All I want is to be a journalist. I could do that in Egypt, or in Timbuktu.

CLUB - EXTERIOR NIGHT

The click of high heels comes up behind her.

CHARLIE

Hey! Wait!

LEILA turns to see CHARLIE running up to her.

CHARLIE

I'm so sorry about that. It should never have happened.

LEILA shrugs.

CHARLIE

No really, I'm sorry. You're not banned from the club at all. Free entry for life.

LEILA gawps at her.

LEILA

Really?

CHARLIE

'Course! You're my mate, aren't you? 'Cause you're going to write about me and help me make it. Deal?

LEILA grins.

LEILA

Deal!

CHARLIE

Fantastic. Look, here's my card with my address. Come round at one o'clock tomorrow and we'll make a start.

LEILA nods. CHARLIE turns and starts walking back. LEILA walks on, a spring in her step and a smile on her face.

LEILA (VOICEOVER)

My first night in Brighton, and I've already made a friend.

CLUB, BACKSTAGE - NIGHT

LEWIS comes out from backstage. JO runs up and throws her arms around him.

JO

You were fantastic! A real rock god.

LEWIS looks unbothered and doesn't hug her back.

LEWIS

Thanks.

JO

Some cow attacked me.

LEWIS

Yeah?

He doesn't even look at her. He grabs a drink and takes a swig. JO gazes at him in adoration/desperation.

JO

All the time I was fighting her I was thinking of how you'd be proud of me.

LEWIS

Yeah babe.

JO hugs him again.

LEWIS rests his drink on her head. Still shot of her contented face.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER)

This is Jo. She works behind the bar, but she's also Lewis's manager.

DREAM SEQUENCE

LEWIS and JO stand in couply rock poses.

CHARLIE (VOICEOVER)

She's Sharon to his Ozzy. She's gonna make him a star. So don't get in her way.

ST GABRIELS ROAD, SEB AND RACHEL'S FLAT - NIGHT

We see a letter addressed to RACHEL lying on the doormat. A key turns in the lock, and RACHEL and SEB come through the door. RACHEL is stumbling, and looks as though she's going to throw up.

RACHEL

God I feel rough. I'm never drinking again.

SEB

No.

RACHEL walks out of shot.

SEB

(under his breath) At least, not until tomorrow.

He picks up the letter on the mat, checks RACHEL's not looking, and slips it inside his jacket.

ST GABRIELS ROAD, SEB AND RACHEL'S FLAT - NIGHT

SEB sits alone in a chair holding the envelope.

SEB (PTC)

If you knew that by telling the truth, you could break up your relationship, would you do it? I mean, this letter's addressed to Rachel, and I don't have the right to intercept it. Trouble is, I know what's in it. I know it could destroy us. So what should I do?

The Video freezes.

ANIMATED QUESTION appears.

SHOULD SEB: TEAR UP THE LETTER OR GIVE IT TO RACHEL

YOU CHOOSE "TEAR UP THE LETTER".

DREAM SEQUENCE

SEB and RACHEL pose for a happy photo in a garden. He turns to her.

SEB PTC

Yeah, I'm a player, but you're the girl for me. Nothing's gonna split us up.

CUT TO

ST GABRIELS ROAD, SEB AND RACHEL'S FLAT - NIGHT

SEB PTC

Thanks for agreeing with me. The truth will out, but not today. He tears up the letter.

END OF EPISODE.