"EL AND MAC"

Love, Life and Liverpool

by
Grace A. Ridley

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FADE IN:

INT. EL & JUDE’S HOUSE, LIVERPOOL – NIGHT

 

NARRATOR: (V.O.)

 

It’s a simple story really that I’m about to tell. A story of girl meets boy. A story of a love. A story of life. A story of a city. A story of a song in 1964.

 

JUDE:

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El! El, COME ON!, they’re not gonna wait for you. They wait for no one!

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Music is playing in the background (‘One Little Voice’ by Cilla Black). El is looking in the mirror, doing her make-up with brushes and a lipstick which are stored in an old jam jar.

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EL:

(humming along to music)

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OK! OK! Don’t worry, they’ll wait for me! Judie they’ll wait.

 

JUDE:

 

Oh of course they will. We all know everyone will wait for you El. Is your face on yet ?

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EL:

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Don’t you worry brother mine, we’ll make it and you won’t miss a second of the Bug’s set.

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JUDE:

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You know full well that they’re called the Beatles! And that they’re the next big thing, you’ll be kicking yourself when they’re big and you missed a chance to go see them.

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EL:

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You’re deluded, we know full well I’M the next big thing, but if it makes you feel better they can be the next big thing after me. (hums tunefully)

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JUDE:

 

Oh I do apologise Miss El, I forgot I was the deluded one when it comes to fame... Are you ready now ?

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EL:

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Well I suppose it’s rude to make them wait. I know I get sick of the day when I’m waiting for the stars to come out.

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JUDE:

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Indeed we do. Come on

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EXT. A STREET IN LIVERPOOL – NIGHT

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Do we really have to go? I’m not sure how I feel about them... they’re just a bit strange aren’t they. I don’t know... I’m just saying they’re not gonna catch on. That’s all.

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BILLY:

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It’s just like you to say that. They’re going to be the next big thing and you’ll be wrong and sorry. My mate Jude is always going on about them.

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

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I see... if Jude says it, it must be gospel. You’ll owe me if tonight is pointless and this band don’t work out.

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BILLY:

 

You’re just nervous.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

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Why would I be nervous to go see the bugs? They should be nervous to have me there. ‘Organ Extraordinaire’ at your service, there’s not a hymn in that book I can’t play.

 

BILLY:

 

You know full well that they’re called the Beatles! No Mac You’re afraid of El ... Jude’s sister.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

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Sure I am. Can we go now? We’re going to be late.

 

BILLY:

 

You’re keen all of a sudden

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):
 

You're childish always. Come on.

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INT. A NIGHT CLUB, LIVERPOOL – NIGHT

 

EL:

 

Look Jude, we made it here on time. The band have barely started and my set isn’t for another hour now. Jude you should stop making things bad.

 

JUDE:

 

There’s a lot of people here El, are you ok? We can go if you want... this won’t work anyway. We can go.

 

EL:

 

No. It’s nice here, I like looking at all the people living their little lonely lives. Jude just enjoy it. Look at all the lonely people. I wonder what they’re all thinking?

 

JUDE:

 

I guess... oh El, I didn’t tell you Billy is coming as he’s bringing his brother, his brother is your age, Billy thinks you’ll hit it off. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, do you want to go now? I’m sorry El I know how you feel about meeting people. Elenor?

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(Mac and Billy enter the moment Jude says ‘Eleanor?’. Billy looks confident, Mac is stalling a little behind).

 

BILLY:

 

Hey, Jude!

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JUDE:

(Mouths the word “sorry” to El)

 

Oh, hey !

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(Jude walk over to Billy as Mac continues forward to El, his head is still down).

EL:

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Hello, I’m Eleanor... I’m a singer, well want to be ... I’m a hopeless romantic and am one of the lonely people according to the expert eyes of my brother who has just sprung you on me. And take my world once again on his shoulders.

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Ummm... well... what? sorry? I’m Mac and I can... play the organ?

 

EL:

 

Well Mac. Are you one of the lonely people?

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):
 

One of the what?... oh well... I guess

I am... Where does that phrase come from? I quite like it.

 

EL:

 

It’s all mine. The world is pretty interesting when you step back and look at it, rather than being part of it all constantly.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Wow Eleanor, that makes so much sense. Bill never told me that you were going to be something else.

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(El giggles)

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

...I never do this but ... would you... care to dance?

 

EL:

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I suppose I could give it a go being one of the people. I’ll let lonely rest for a little while.

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(El and Mac leave the scene hand-in-hand to dance).

 

SERIES OF SHOTS:

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Indicate key images for the period spanning 1964 to 1974.

 

A series of freeze-frames begin in the background. Key one would be the death of Jude, her mourning must be made clear.

 

NARRATOR: (V.O.)

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So Eleanor decided to let lonely rest. She and Mac lived a little bit of life together. Love grew along with Beatle mania. Their adventures continued, as those of people who are young and in love tend to do, they stayed loyal to the pop scene and tried to stay close to their dreams.

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El worked on her singing and then slowly stopped working on it. Mac fell further and further into the church until one day he was trapped.

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Hardship hit little Miss Rigby as Jude passed away on the docks, over worked and under paid and Mackenzie prepared to leave...

 

1974

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INT. EL AND MAC’S HOUSE – DAY (1974)

 

EL:

 

No! no! no! I’m aware that THEY need you and that you think this job is your calling but what about ME?

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

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What about me? El, I have a chance to save people from themselves, I have a chance to help people get closer to God, I have a chance to save things El. You’re just being selfish.

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EL:

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No Mac, I’m not. You’re gonna break my heart... oh dear God. Don’t take Mac away from me too.

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

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I know it’s been a hard past few years but I need to do this. They need me to do this.

 

EL:

 

I lost him, I can’t lose you too... that can’t happen. I won’t let it.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

I’m so sorry

 

EL:

 

No !

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Goodbye.

 

(Mac exits through their front door).

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10 YEARS LATER SERIES OF SHOTS:

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Indicate key images for the period spanning 1974 to 1984.

 

INT. CAKE SHOP – DAY (1984)

(Tone of the scene: voice of the Best Man caller on the phone is ‘flirty’ but El is oblivious).

 

EL :

(into phone)

So you want to order the cake we have displayed in the window.

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BEST MAN (V.O.):

 

Oh no, no, I’m not ordering anything, I’m calling about picking one up.

 

EL : (into phone)

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Ah ok. It’s all ready for collection. It’s a pretty one. Tastes great too!

 

BEST MAN (V.O.):

 

Oh. Is that the one you chose for your wedding?

 

EL : (into phone)

 

... I never married.

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BEST MAN (V.O.):

 

Me neither,(sighs) but I’m sure you’ll find someone. As will I at this wedding! You know what they say...

 

(he laughs to himself over the line, a sad self- deprecating, chuckle)

 

EL :

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(into phone)

 

What’s that?

 

BEST MAN (V.O.):

 

All you need is love.

 

EL :
 

(into phone)
 

Where have I heard that before?... oh...

 

(El groans)

 

FADE OUT:
 

EXT. CHURCH YARD – DAY

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

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She’s the one then?

 

BILLY:

 

She really is, thanks for doing this mate, having my best friend run the service is going to make it the best.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

And you’re sure about her? You know there’s no going back.

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Mac... my dear friend... I couldn’t dance with another once I saw her standing there.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Alright, alright I just like to make sure. Where is she today?

 

BILLY:

 

Ooh I know this one!... she’s getting her wedding dress fitted for the final time , at ... “All My Loving” bridal wear. And the Best Man’s picking up the cake from ‘I-Will Bakery’. I’m picking them up in (looks at watch) in 10 minutes! I’ve gotta run. I can’t make either of them wait.

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

(a little distant)

 

Why does that place sound important to me? ... it rings a bell.

 

BILLY:

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Oh yeah... it’s where El works... Oh, sorry mate..

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

It’s ok. I made my choice

 

NARRATOR: (V.O.)

 

And so life goes on.

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CURRENT DAY

 

SERIES OF SHOTS:

 

Indicate key images for the period spanning 1984 to the current day.

 

INT. CHURCH– DAY
 

Father MacKenzie is at the end of delivering a sermon.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

No one comes here anymore, no one cares for the church. The church is where you’re redeemed. In this world of terror and danger this is where you need to be. Here you’ll be saved, here you’ll be protected. You just need to have faith.

 

Mac is approached by El who has her head down and her face covered largely by a headscarf knotted under her chin.

 

EL:

 

Is there anyway I can help out here? Anything I can do? The church is so important to everyone. I need to help.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

Do I know you ?

 

EL:

 

Oh... I don’t think so... maybe we met once.

 

MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

I’m sure we did... anyway, there’s definitely a place for you here. There’s always a place for someone like you... someone willing to help I mean.

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EL:

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Thank you.

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NARRATOR: (V.O.)

 

Recognition is a funny thing isn’t it. It has the power to unite old friends and also has the fickle ability to damn lonely people. Lonely people coming from nowhere. Belonging in the same place. So as Mac tried desperately to spread unity and belonging, El slipped further into her dream world until her final days...

 

LATER
 

EXT. CHURCH YARD – EARLY EVENING

 

(El picking up rice/confetti in the churchyard after a wedding).

 

EL:

 

I bet she looked wonderful... I never did look wonderful... I wonder if they’ll remember me for that?... I wonder if they’ll remember me... how sad... how very, very sad... I’ll see you soon Jude.

 

(El collapses and dies).

 

LATER
 

EXT. CHURCH YARD – DAY

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MACKENZIE (MAC):

 

OUR Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; In earth as it is in heaven... (looks into coffin)... Eleanor? ... checks service sheet... my Eleanor... What has the world done to you?...

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NARRATOR: (V.O.)
 

Eleanor Rigby, died in the church

And was buried along with her name

Nobody came

Father McKenzie, wiping the dirt

From his hands as he walks from the grave

No one was saved

All the lonely people
Where do they all come from?
All the lonely people
Where do they all belong?
And that was the tale of Eleanor Rigby. The story of love, life and Liverpool.

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FADE OUT.

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THE END

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