CMW 2001 (Screenwriting) - Assessment I, Part III

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The third and final of my film proposals.
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The Wrong Symbol

In the future, society is divided by religion rather than nationality. Without the impartial intermediary bodies of central government, bloody world war is on the horizon. To mark yourself as different is folly. Lot is different.

An unkempt central town park. Lot sits on a bench defiantly, playing with a lighter. He is surrounded by a group of six youths wearing uniform clothes. Silver crosses are hung openly around their necks. They hold a variety of makeshift bludgeoning weapons. The leader questions Lot about his loyalties. Lot reaches into the folds of his jacket and pulls out a small double helix symbol on a chain and smiles. The gang becomes visibly aggressive.

A town street. Lot appears in view from around the corner, running. He is laughing. He throws the metal pole he is now carrying, splattered with blood, behind him. From around the corner comes the gang, chasing Lot. There are only four of them now. As Lot reaches the other end of the street a thick forearm appears suddenly from a doorway at neck height. Lot runs into it and falls heavily to the floor. He is struck in the head and loses consciousness.

Lot wakes hanging upside down in a dim warehouse. The stern face of The Shepherd is level with his own. He is wearing robes, with a book tucked under one arm and a bat slung over his shoulder. The Shepherd turns his back to address a large audience, denouncing those who do not accept the grace of God. The Shepherd reaches for a hot brand to the side of the stage and carries it towards Lot. He rips open Lot’s shirt and brands a pentagram onto Lot’s chest, saying that it is so the Devil will know to come for his soul when he dies.

The Shepherd opens his robe to reveal a serrated knife tucked into his belt. He tells Lot that his heathen days are done. The Shepherd reaches for the knife, but suddenly flaming bottles crash through the windows and land amongst the crowd. A group of people burst into the warehouse, firing shots into the crowd. Mayhem erupts. In the confusion, Lot reaches for the knife, stabbing The Shepherd in the chest.

Having scattered the audience, the newcomers approach the stage, just as Lot cuts himself free. They ask if he is okay. The leader pulls up his balaclava and frowns. He reaches into Lot’s shirt and fishes out the helix symbol. The leader reaches for his knife and stabs Lot. As Lot lies on the floor bleeding, the leader spits on him, calling him ‘heathen’.

The Wrong Symbol envisions a dystopian future where religious intolerance has escalated to crisis point, and killing ‘heathens’ is second nature to the indoctrinated. It carries a dark tone, warning of the dangers of an individual’s rebellion, even if the status quo is dire.