Leah's Departure
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Matthew Gilmore
(Matt)
A detective for the police and good friend of Brad
Armstrong. Originally posted at a large station in Western
Australia, he met Brad and Emily whilst they were teaching
there. He has recently started work in Sydney, and following
Dan’s return to gambling and subsequent divorce from Leah,
Brad enlisted his help as Leah began a desperate quest to
locate Vinnie. Matt has now moved to the Bay, having spent
months helping Leah with her search, and this week, he told
her that he has found Vinnie and that she has one last
chance for a life with him.
Leah’s Departure
LEAH’S HOUSE
Leah is standing in the kitchen, gazing out of the window.
Rain is pattering loudly in the background. Matt enters from
the lounge, placing his hand on Leah’s shoulder.
Matt: I just got off the phone to HQ. It’s time Leah.
Leah: Okay, can you just give me a minute please?
Matt: Yeah, sure. I’ll be going to get VJ ready. He’s got a
long day ahead of him.
Matt leaves the kitchen, passing Sally who now enters. Leah
remains
transfixed to the spot.
Sally: How are you feeling?
Leah: Honestly? Terrified. But I know that this is the right
thing for me now, and for VJ.
Sally: Are you sure that you’ve thought this through for
long enough?
Leah turns round and faces Sally.
Leah: Sal, I’ve thought of nothing else for months.
Sally: It’s just such a big step Leah. Do you realise how
much you’re giving up? Your home, your friends, your
business. I mean, we’re not just talking about leaving town
here, we’re talking about you going into hiding and never
being able to see any of your friends or family again. How
can you just accept that?
Leah: Oh Sal. I wish I could make you understand.
Sally: Well, why now then? You’ve known that Vinnie is still
alive for all these years. Why didn’t you go back to him
before?
Leah pauses and stares down at the table.
Leah: Because I had Dan before, and he made me feel so safe
and loved, and for the first time since I got that phone
call from the prison, I could see a future without Vinnie.
Don’t get me wrong though, I never stopped loving him.
Putting all the photos away was just a way of dealing with
him being gone. It didn’t mean that a day went by though
when I didn’t wonder what he was doing, and how life would
have turned out if he’d never gone away.
Sally: I understand that Leah, I really do. I felt so lonely
and lost after Flynn died, but given time, the pain got
better and I found happiness again with Brad. If you just
give it some time you’ll find someone else and be happy
again.
Leah: That’s just it. I don’t want anyone else - I want
Vinnie. I want my little boy to grow up with his Daddy, I
want to grow old with the man I fell in love with all those
years ago. This is the right thing for me now Sal. I just
really hope that eventually you’ll understand why I had to
do this.
Sally stares at Leah, tears running down her face. The pair
look at each
other in silence for a moment.
Sally: There really isn’t anything I can say is there?
Leah: I’m sorry, but I have to do this.
Sally: I just don’t know what I’m gonna do without you.
You’re my rock, Leah. You’ve been there for me through
everything over the past few years, you gave me my beautiful
little girl. I just can’t find the words to tell you how
incredibly thankful I am for everything.
Leah places her hands on Sally’s shoulders.
Leah: You don’t have to thank me Sal. That’s what friends
are for. Just remember that wherever Vinnie and I end up,
you will always be in my thoughts and prayers. I love you
Sal.
Sally completely breaks down, crying onto Leah’s shoulder.
Leah closes her
eyes, trying to contain her sadness. Matt re-enters.
Matt: VJ’s ready to go, and all your bags are out here. HQ
said they’ll have a car waiting for you at the other end.
Vinnie’s been filled in on everything – he can’t wait to see
you.
Leah smiles.
Sally: Look after her Matt. Please, promise me you’ll make
sure she’s okay.
Matt: Don’t worry Sal. There’ll be people with her every
step of the way – she’s in safe hands.
Sally nods, appearing to be slightly reassured by Matt’s
words.
Leah: Well, I guess this is it.
Leah walks into the lounge and looks around for one last
time. She turns to
Sally once more, giving her a comforting smile. She then
turns away,
following Matt out of the house. Sally is now alone in the
lounge and falls to
her knees, breaking down into tears. |
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This script was
shortlisted in
the
17+ category!
Written by Ross |
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