CIRCLE
SCENE 1
INT: Madeleine's living room
Madeleine is sitting the sofa in her living room. The lights are switched off which leaves the television’s flickering of movement and colour as the only light source in the room. As Madeleine sits in front of the television, she has a flashback.
INT: College classroom
(FLASHBACK) Madeleine is standing by the classroom door with her teacher, who is introducing her to the class.
TEACHER
Some of you might recognise Madeleine from the other class. Madeleine will be joining our class from now on, so I would like you all to make her feel welcome here.
Madeleine looks around at the smiling faces and stops at a certain group she recognises. The teacher's voice slowly fades out as Madeleine stares in awe of how cool they are. She begins to daydream.
INT: College classroom 2
(DAYDREAM) Madeleine is sitting in a classroom as part of the group. They are sitting around a table in a circle, playing card games/chatting and laughing.
INT: Madeleine hears her teacher's voice again, telling her to grab a seat and she goes to sit down.
INT: Madeleine returns from her flashback and as she sits in her dark living room she thinks of how to become part of this friendship circle. She smiles to herself and then switches off the television.
SCENE 2
INT: College classroom
Madeleine is sitting by the group of friends during a lesson and they seem to be getting along so far.
MADELEINE
So how long have you guys known each other? You all seem really close.
TRACY
Well, James is my half brother and we all met in high school.
Madeleine
Oh okay
Tracy
So Madeleine, why did you have to switch classes?
Madeleine
Things started to get a bit rocky between some people and me in the other class. They just didn’t seem to like me.
Tracy
Why’s that?
Madeleine
(Looking clueless into space)
I really don’t know…
Madeleine giggles to herself
Well…I did sabotage some people’s coursework a few times…as a joke. (She laughs). Some people just can’t take a joke sometimes.
Tracy and the rest of group each look at each other’s faces in reaction to what they have just heard. Madeleine carries on babbling away.
Madeleine
Oh and one time I put some laxatives I found in Sam’s drink. That was so funny. She didn’t seem to be laughing though.
By now, everyone is convinced that Madeleine is a psycho. They slowly edge their seats back to their computers and simultaneously put their headphones on. Madeleine returns to her senses and realises her “audience” has disappeared from before her. Madeleine also moves back to her computer and continues working.
SCENE 3
INT: (MUSIC) Madeleine continues seeking opportunities to join Tracy’s group over a number of instances by trying to sit with them and talk to them.
1. During a lesson, Madeleine looks over at Tracy sitting next to her and smiles. Tracy catches Madeleine smiling at her and awkwardly looks away.
2. During break time, Tracy’s group is sitting at a table chatting and laughing. Madeleine has spotted them and heads towards the table. James sees Madeleine closely approaching and quietly announces this to the table. Just as Madeleine sits down, everyone stands up and walks away.
INT: Madeleine has realised that Tracy and her crew seem to be avoiding her but can’t seem to work out why.
Madeleine’s birthday is coming up and she is having a party (despite her lack of friends). Madeleine has written a couple of party invitations to give to Tracy and her friends.
After class, Madeleine sees Tracy’s group in the hallway and runs towards them before they can get away.
Madeleine
Hey guys! Wait up!
Tracy sighs before looking back and they all wait while Madeleine catches up with them.
Madeleine
I’m having a party for my birthday this weekend and I’d like you guys to be there…since you’re my friends and all.
Someone sniggers at the word 'friends'. Without a single response, Madeleine shoves her invitations into each of their hands, smiles and walks away.
As soon as she leaves them, they all start to laugh as they rip up the invitations.
James
She is so weird! I definitely won't be attending
Tracy
She is a psycho for real.
Despite the length of distance she has gone ahead of them, Madeleine can hear them making fun of her and ripping up the invitations. Madeleine becomes very upset and continues walking.
Madeleine
I’ll show you psycho.
SCENE 4
INT: One of Tracy's friends is on their way to the toilet when Madeleine appears with a masked face, grabbing him by the mouth and drags him away.
INT: Tracy and James are walking through the hallway when a classroom door opens and Tracy is pulled through it. James looks up from his phone and tries to work out where Tracy has disappeared to, when the door opens again and a hand pulls him into the room.
SCENE 5
INT: Someone is walking down the corridor when they notice something going on in a classroom. She decides to peer through the glass window. In the classroom is Madeleine and her new 'friends', who are bound to their chairs and sitting around the table in a circle. Madeleine had decided to organise her 'birthday party' in college, where she knew they would definitely attend. On each of their heads is a party hat made of paper and colouring pens, which Madeleine had made earlier. For the party food, there are packets of cheap biscuits and crisps lying around the table. Madeleine feeds her Tracy one of these biscuits off the table. Madeleine seems to be having the time of her life and is convinced her hostages are too. (Flashback of her first daydream sitting at the table in a circle playing card games and chatting with her friends.)
