"Limelight"

“Limelight”

Scene 1

(The year was 1994. It was a hot day in Brixton. The sun shining and the skies were clear. Children ran down the street having water fights. Whilst other children were hustling money from parents and other older relatives to buy ice cream from the ice cream van. The vibrations of the train going over the bumpy train tracks sent tremors down the street. Matthew was looked out of the window smiling. He turned back and sat on the sofa and held Maxine’s hands. He staring into her face and kissed her softly on the lips. He mouthed ‘I love you’. She blushed at this gesture of affection. They both turned to their three year old son Tony who was dancing to Michael Jackson ‘Beat it’.)

Maxine: (Clapping) Go Tony! Go Tony!

Matthew: Haha! My boy is something else!

Maxine: Aww! Look at him moving with that afro. Maybe he should get the geri curls and he will be a proper Michael Jackson. I will get him the red leather jacket to match as well.

Matthew: You’re getting ahead of yourself my love.

(Maxine picks up Tony and lifts him to the ceiling, she is beaming at him as he continues to sing the lyrics. Matthew laughs as Tony tries to wriggle from his mother’s grasp.)

Matthew: Oh dear looks like somebody hasn’t finished their little performance.

(Maxine lowers him to the ground and Tony continues to dance.)

Matthew: My boy will be a star one day!

End Scene.

Scene 2

(The year is 2006. Tony is rummaging through his wardrobe, drawers and various suitcases. He lets out a cry of pain as he steps on a phone charger with the pins facing up. He hops on one leg whilst unleashing an array of profanities. He hears music coming from underneath his pillow. The sounds of a Jadakiss classic ‘We gon’ make it’ could be heard. He rushes to his pillow and answers the phone.)

Tony: Ricky! Fam! I can’t find anything to wear blud!

Ricky: Your moving like a chick fam! You’re going to be late!

Tony: I know but I wore this tracksuit the other day I can’t wear it again!

Ricky: Bruv your actually taking the…

Tony: Tony! Yes I found it! Some chinos and a hoodie, I should be alright init?

Ricky: Am I your stylist? Ask your girl man haha!

Tony: I even forget Kelly is coming to the talent show with me.

Ricky: It’s 6 o’clock now and it starts at 6.30. You should be rehearsing if you’re serious.

Tony: Don’t worry I will be cool

(The doorbell rings.)

Ricky: Is that Kelly yeah?

Tony: I’m gone brother I’ll see you there.

(Tony quickly put on his top. He noticed how creased the top was when he looked in the mirror. He looked at the time and kissed his teeth. He put on his hoodie and sprinted down the stairs.)

Maxine: Tony! Kelly has been waiting for you! What were you doing upstairs!? You shouldn’t be so rude.

(Kelly giggled at the outburst.)

Tony: I was getting ready mum. Tonight is going to be a big night, I have to prepare.

Maxine: Just make sure your homework is done. I’ve left food in the microwave for you for when you come 

back. Have you eaten?

Tony: No mum, I’ll have some later.

 (He kisses her on the cheek and hugs her.)

Maxine: Good Luck!

(Matthew enters the house with his suit and briefcase.)

Matthew: Young love! How are you Kelly? How are your family?

Tony: Hi Dad! Bye Dad!

(Tony clasps Kelly’s hand and drags her out the house and they scurry down the street. As they walk out onto the main road the buses arrives. They both make a short dash and clamber onto the bus.)

End Scene

Scene 3

(The youth club is buzzing and filled with kids from different boroughs. Everyone was gathered to perform or support their friends in the annual talent show. Some sat nervously as their tried to practice their spoken word poetry. Whilst other groups of girls practiced their dance moves in the corner of the hall. Tony stood close to the stage and just stared at the mic. The noise and commotion in the room did not waver him. His eyes were fixed on the mic. Kelly pinched his left arm.)

Tony: Ouch!

Kelly: You’re such a wimp!

Tony: Thank you for insulting me before I perform (laughs).

Kelly: You will be great!

Tony: Your eyes are so oriental, you got me feeling emotional.

Kelly: I am oriental you twat!

(They both laugh. She quickly ties her hair in a bun and kisses him on the cheek. Jimmy the youth group co-ordinator steps onto the stage.)

Jimmy: The night has arrived! We’ve been doing this for years and every year I’m surprised by the turnout. But I won’t bore you with a speech. Let the show begin!

Crowd: Whoop! Whoop!

(Show begins. Reactions to the performances vary. An air of joy filled the room as people cheer on their friends.)

Jimmy: Our next act is Tony Starz!

Crowd: Whoop whoop! Go on Tony!

(Tony emerged from behind the stage and bopped his head to the instrumental playing. He walked to the mic. The spotlight shone on him mercilessly.)

Tony: Um yeah, ok ok, here we go, uh huh, yeah yeah.

(Kelly and Ricky sat in the front room whistling and cheering at him.)

Tony: So yeah it goes like this. Um yeah yeah.

(The noise died down. The room was silent. Tony’s throat went dry and he began to sweat profusely. He began to see double vision. He felt like the walls were closing in on him. He desperately wanted a hole to swallow him up. He looked at Kelly, her mouth was open in shock. Ricky nodded his head encouragingly. Tony backed away from the mic slowly. He turned and ran into the back, barging past Jimmy. The crowd gasps in shock. He runs past the basement and kicks open the fire exit and sprints onto the street. He runs and runs until he doesn’t even recognise where he is. He hops over the fence of a local park. As he lands on his feet he vomits. He mumbles under his breath and sits on the swing. He looks at his phone and sees seven missed calls from Kelly and five from Ricky. He looks up and notices a dark figure climbing over the fence.)

Tony: How did you know I would come here? Go away I flopped.

Ricky: (Breathing heavily) We used to come here all the time and play football and kiss chase with the girls.

Tony: I flopped man, Kelly must think I’m a mouse. I can’t believe I got nervous.

Ricky: It happens to everyone! All the famous stars get that at times. I’m sure 50 Cent and all those people got scared at some point. You just have to keep trying. Forget what happened and move on.

(Tony shakes his head and sighs deeply.)

Ricky: Are you going to stay on that swing all night? I’m hungry, I heard your mum’s got food for me.

Tony: Same old Ricky, always eating.

(They both laugh together.)

End Scene

Scene 4

(Kelly and Tony got off the bus and walked down the street. Camden was buzzing with people. Many people were intoxicated as they stumbled down the cobbled street. The smell of fried rice spread across the cold night air.)

Tony: Smells good it’s making me hungry.

Kelly: Yuck! They can’t have passed any hygiene tests to cook on the streets. Food must be disgusting.

Tony: Sorry Ms Prestige.

Kelly: It’s my treat so I decide where we are going and I say we are going to Nando’s.

Tony: How is it for me if you’re dictating it?

Kelly: (Giggles) Shut up Tony!

(Tony looks at the floor, his face is downcast.)

Kelly: Tony I told you it’s fine, it was two weeks ago just forget…

Tony: Just stop talking about it. I don’t want to think about it.

Kelly: Yeah it’s your birthday. Forget it.

(A promoter handing out flyers interrupts their conversation.)

Promoter: Young love! Make your way to this bar just over there it’s a live music event, there’s an open mic as well! Its free entry.

(He shoves the flyer in Tony’s face.)

Tony: It’s alright we are going Nando’s to eat

Promoter: Well if you change your mind its open for you. It’s a two minute walk from Nando’s. Have a lovely evening.

(They continue to walk briskly down the street. They enter Nando’s and order food. Kelly sits opposite Tony and can see that he is still upset.)

Tony: I’m going to the toilet.

Kelly: Ok babe.

(Tony enters the bathroom. He washes his hands and face and dries himself with a towel. He stares into the mirror sternly. His eyes are sunken. He pulls a comb out of his hair and combs his hair forward. He backs away from the mirror and storms out of the bathroom.)

Tony: We’re leaving.

Kelly: Huh.

Tony: I said we are going. (He yanks her hand and they leave the restaurant.)

Kelly: Tony stop! Where are we going?

Tony: (He turns to her solemnly) Open Mic night.

(They enter the bar. There is a small crowd of people, not as busy as the youth centre. Jazz music could be heard playing softly in the back ground. Tony spots the promoter and approaches him.)

Tony: I’ll be back in two seconds.

(Kelly pulls up a chair and sits down near the front. She looks watches Tony as he whispers in the promoter’s ears. She can’t make out what he is telling him, she notices them shaking hands. She gasps as Tony removes his jacket and goes into the back.)

Promoter: OK! We have a surprise act tonight!

(The crowd cheers.)

Promoter: Mr Tony Starz!

(Tony walked confidently to the mic.)

Tony: Yeah! Tony in the house! Fresher than anybody else in the house! I’m going to perform a song I wrote yesterday called ‘Keep Trying’.

(The crowd cheered loudly. Tony performed five songs. Once he had finished he received a rapturous applause from the crowd. He stepped off the staged and everybody mobbed him! Kelly embraced him tightly and congratulated him.)

Kelly: Bloody hell where did that come from?

Tony: I don’t know. Guess it was something someone said one time.

Kelly: Well done! I’m so proud of you.

(Suddenly Tony is yanked from Kelly’s firm embrace. He turns around to meet eyes with an unfamiliar face. A tall bearded gentleman stood staring at Tony coldly. He stood at over 6ft tall, he was mixed race, wore a denim shirt and skinny jeans.)

Tony: (Gulps) Can I help you?

Nophis: Yes, as a matter a fact you can. You were amazing, I’ve never seen such confidence from such a young man. Tell me how long have you been doing this for?

Tony: Well…

Nophis: You know, we can discuss this tomorrow. I work for Sony music, here is my card. Meet me at central London tomorrow at 9am. We have work to do. Bring all of your music, all the songs you have written.

(Tony stares in shock as Nophis hands him his card with the phone number and email. He watches Nophis walk out and hop into his Range Rover.)

End Scene

Scene 5

Kelly: It’s this way. Andrea done her work experience here. I came to see her on her lunch break. Look! 

It’s over there.

Tony: Yes!

Kelly: Tony, this feels so strange but a good kind of strange.

Tony: I know I couldn’t sleep last night.

(They enter the building still holding hands. Both their hands are sweating.)

Tony: We are here to see Mr. Nophis.

(The receptionist looks down at Tony’s bootcut jeans and converses.)

Receptionist: Mr Nophis is not here.

Tony: But we have an appointment.

(She glares at him. Nophis appears from the elevator.)

Nophis: Quick we have work to do, this way. And Anna tell anybody else that I will not be taking any appointments today.

(Kelly and Tony walk closely behind Nophis. Kelly looks back at the receptionist and sticks her tongue out. They step into the elevator and Nophis presses 20, the highest floor. Kelly and Tony are still holding hands. Nophis smiles at their bond and looks up at the ceiling.)

Nophis: We are here. The studio we are about to enter has been used by several people. Coldplay, 

Madonna and Kylie Minogue.

(Kelly stares at all of the plaques on the wall.)

Nophis: Let’s get to work. The studio is yours for the next four hours, our sound engineer Mike will assist you. Record all the tracks then our work is done then we can sign the paper work.

Kelly: What paper work?

Nophis: It’s all business.

Tony: Nobody told me I had to sign anything. What if you don’t like my music?

Nophis: Haha. I’ve been the talent scout for Sony for ten years, I know raw talent when I see it, you need a little fine tuning and then you will be ready to hit the dizzy heights.

(Kelly glances at Tony and shakes her head.)

Tony: Let’s do this.

Nophis: Erm, what is your name? Kenny?

Kelly: It’s Kelly.

Nophis: You can’t be in the studio with Tony, he needs to focus. But you’re welcome to relax in our lounge.

(She nods grimly, she hugs Tony and walks to the lounge. Tony watches her walk away and enters the studio.)

Tony: Let’s do this!

(After several hours in the studio Tony has finished recording a mixtape and an album. They are sat in the office finalising the deal.)

Nophis: Are there any questions? You will have a budget and engine behind you. But you need to keep up the work ethic and hunger that I’ve seen from you. We are expecting big things from you Mr Starz.

(Nophis smiles at him.)

Tony: Thank you! I will not let you down!

(They shake hands. Tony and Kelly exit the office and head to the elevator. Tony notices Kelly’s silence. He looks into her face and sees tears streaming down her face.)

Tony: What’s wrong?

Kelly: Nothing, it’s just that I’m happy for you but I don’t think that man has the best intentions for you.

Tony: What do you mean? This is what we have always wanted. You told me if I believed in myself that I could make it one day.

Kelly: You worked for this and deserve it but there is something about that man. It’s a shady business.

Tony: I will be careful.

End Scene

Scene 6

(One year later. Kelly is sat in the salon under the hair dryer. Every five minutes she glances anxiously at her phone.)

Hairdresser: Why do you keep looking at your phone darling? You have a job interview?

Kelly: No but I’m just expecting an important message.

Hairdresser: You need to learn how to relax baby!

Kelly: (Mumbles) It’s my birthday and my boyfriend hasn’t said happy birthday.

Hairdresser: What did you say child?

(That radio blasts the hit Single from Tony ‘Keep Trying’.)

Hairdresser: Ohhhhh! This is my jam!

(She bops her head and lip sings the lyrics. Kelly rolls her eyes in disappointment. It was her 18^th birthday and it looked like Tony had forgotten. He had been extremely busy, always touring and travelling.)

Hairdresser: Don’t you just love this song! I love it, it’s catchy and has a positive message.

(She looks into the mirror and notices Kelly frowning.)

Kelly: It’s ok I guess.

Hairdresser: You’re so pretty but you need to smile more hunny!

(Kelly gets up and leaves the salon.)

Scene 7

Tony: Thank you for the love Glastonbury! I love this place! You guys rock!

Crowd: Whoop!

(Tony jogs off the stage and wipes his face with a towel. He could not contain his excitement. This had been his best gig to date. He had sold out arenas and concerts but he never envisaged himself performing at Glastonbury. He stepped inside his dressing room where Nophis and Ricky stood waiting for him.)

Nophis: Tony the man! Yes!

Tony: This is all crazy.

Nophis: You opened up for Prodigy! Do you know how big that is?

Ricky: Next year they will open up for you fam!

(They all laughed. Nophis left the room. Tony’s phone rang.)

Tony: It’s probably my Mum.

(He looked at the phone and smiled as he saw Kelly’s number flashing on the phone. It was a ritual for her to call after every show.)

Tony: Hi baby! Did you see me?

Kelly: No.

Tony: Oh yeah you have your exams. Don’t worry about that just focus on your exams, you can always watch it on Iplayer anyways. I miss you so much, how are you? I’ll be back in London in two weeks. We’ll have the whole week-end with each other. That will be great.

Kelly: I don’t want a week-end with you Tony.

Tony: What does that mean?

Kelly: It means that I’m tired of having a part time boyfriend. This isn’t working for me at all. If I’m your baby you would have remembered it was my birthday today.

Tony: Baby.

Kelly: I’m happy for you and your success but this isn’t working out for me at all. I guess you will have to find a new baby. I’m sure it won’t be hard, Mr Rich and Famous.

Tony: But I want you!!!

Kelly: Goodbye Tony

(Phone cuts out. Tony tries to call her five times but it goes straight to voicemail. He slumps back onto the sofa holding his head in his hands.)

Ricky: Don’t worry about Kelly she’s a bit upset she will come around.

Tony: No, I know this girl, when she says it she means no. How could I forget her birthday? What good is having all this if I haven’t got Kelly to share it with?

Ricky: In life women come and go. It’s part of life.

Tony: Kelly is the one for me.

Ricky: Correction, she was the one.

(Nophis enters the room quietly.)

Nophis: What happened in here? When I left the room it was buzzing now it’s like somebody has died?

Ricky: Well Kelly just dumped Tony init.

Nophis: Tony! Tony! Tony! You’re in show business now! You can’t please everyone as much as you would like to. Maybe I can cheer you up. Ladies let’s get this party started!

(6 women dressed as belly dancers entered the room. They surround Ricky and Tony stroking and caressing their young faces. The women had an air of mystique as their eyes were covered in Burlesque style masks. Ricky and Tony stood in shock as they gyrated effortlessly in front of them.)

Nophis: What is the problem lads? Loosen up!

(Nophis clapped his hands. Two women dressed in smart attire carried in Champagne bottles and Sparklers.)

End Scene

Scene 8

(One year on. The Royal Albert Hall was buzzing. Various celebrities filled the venue. The Spice Girls, Robbie Williams amongst others were seated in hall. Tony could see the Mitchell brothers from Eastenders to his right, to his left he could see Trevor McDonald. Though he had been in show business for two years he was still star struck and overwhelmed. He sat in-between his parents and Ricky sat opposite them. Tony laughed as Ricky tucked into some finger foods.)

Tony: Slow down bro.

Ricky: I wanted a three course meal! (He clicked his fingers at the waiter.) Boss ain’t there no rice and chicken or something?

Waiter: (Ignores Ricky) Mr Starz would you like anything else? More wine?

Tony: I’m fine sir, if you could get them to speed up the ceremony I would be happy.

Waiter: Haha, I wish as well I want to go home.

Ricky: Never thought I’d be here eating sausage rolls and peanuts at the MOBO Awards.

Tony: I’m not going to win anything.

Maxine: Ssh! Listen!

Graham Norton: And the winner for Best Male Act is Tony Starz!

(The world seemed to stand still. Tears fell from Tony’s eyes instantly. His father embraced him. He could hear him crying out ‘I knew he would be a star’. He went up with his family and Ricky to collect the award. He gave a brief speech and hurried off the stage with his small entourage. Nophis was the first person to greet him at the back.)

Nophis: I told you nobody stood a chance against you!

Maxine: Thank you Nophis, you have helped my son so much! You need to come around for dinner again. I have some jerk pork with your name on it Mr! (She hugged Nophis and kissed him on the cheek.)

Matthew: Son you have made us proud. Nophis I have never ending gratitude! Thank you! You’re a magician! You transformed our messy tyke into a super star! Enjoy your evening fellas.

(Tony’s family hopped into the private limo outside and went home. Once he saw them off he went into his changing room.)

Nophis: Have they gone yet?

Tony: Yes! Let’s get this party started!

(Ricky was on his knees at the dressing table poking and prodding at a packet with white powder. He emptied the contents onto the table and began to snort and sniff like there was no tomorrow. A few women in scantily clad clothes entered the room. A tall olive skinned woman immediately sat on Tony’s lap. She pulled out a syringe from her purse and injected heroin into Tony’s arm. His head swung back and he began to laugh uncontrollably. The room began to swim in circles, he was light headed.)

Ricky: This is the life man. Sex, drugs and rock and roll! Whoa!

(Ricky stood on a sofa and stretched out his arms to the ceiling.)

Ricky: I’m the king of the world!! Haha

(Tony’s phone rang but he was too intoxicated and high to answer it. Nophis looked at the name and saw Kelly.)

Nophis: Hello

Kelly: Hi, can I speak to Tony.

Nophis: No he’s very busy.

Kelly: Well I wanted to congratulate him.

Nophis: Did I speak French? He’s busy. Bye

(He hangs up the phone.)

Tony: Who was that?

Nophis: Nobody important! Have fun!

(Nophis left the room. The party continued all night. Tony and Ricky consumed an assortment of drugs and alcohol throughout the celebrations. They all crashed out on the dressing room floor. Tony looked up at the time and saw it was 4am. He noticed some movement in the corner of the room. He rose up and turned on the light. He saw one of the girls holding a stack of fifty pound notes he kept in his drawer. Without thinking he picked up a champagne bottle and launched at her. He crashed the bottle on her head. She let out an ear piercing screaming, blood marked the walls and stained her dress. Everybody woke up and stared in shock.)

Ricky: Tony!

Tony: She tried to take my money!

Ricky: She’s bleeding! She needs help. Tony you went too far!

Tony: Shut up! Just shut up! Help me move her. She’s still breathing don’t panic.

(Some of the women that were in the room turned and left the room. Two women stood at the corner of the room screaming in terror.)

Ricky: Shut up you stupid broads!

Tony: Hold the bottle Ricky. Quick!

(Ricky took the bottle. Tony knelt over the body, his eyes wide in terror. He was never a violent person but he lost his cool for a minute. The woman laid unconscious, her head was bleeding profusely. At that moment security and police entered the room.)

Officer: What is happening here! We heard screaming from the top floor!

(The security guard rushed besides Tony and stood over the body. Tony instinctively stood up and pointed at Ricky.)

Tony: It was him officer! He did it!

(The officer looked at the bottle in Ricky’s hand. He launches himself at Ricky and whips out his handcuffs.)

Ricky: Tony! No!

End Scene

Scene 9

(Two years later. Tony rushes backstage after performing at his sell out show in New York.)

Reporters: Tony! Your hit Single ‘Falling’ is number one worldwide! How does this make you feel?

Tony: I’m sorry I’m tired I need to rest, this is going to be a long tour.

Nophin: No more questions, my client is very tired.

(Nophin rushes him inside the hotel room.)

Nophin: You need a fix? I got you.

Tony: No. No fixes tonight. I need to be clean. I can’t be stoned 24/7 and finish this tour. I’m going back to my house. I’ll see you tomorrow.

(Tony rushes out to the parking lot where his chauffer is waiting for him. He hops in the car and slams the door. He looks out into the night sky staring at the bright stars shining in the sky. When he reaches the big gates he hops out of the Bentley. He waves at the driver and turns away. He walks round to his huge back garden where the swimming pool is. It had been emptied. He notices that the water has been emptied completely. The plumber would return tomorrow to correct the pipe dysfunction. He climbs his spiral staircase. He looks over at the piano at the top of the balcony. He pulls out a note pad and leans against the piano. He begins writing furiously, tears stream from his eyes. He takes a deep breath and stops writing. He sits on the piano and begins to play The Beatles ‘All you need is love’. Tears continue to stream down his face. He picks up the note and looks at it. He scribbles some more words and places it inside his blazer pocket. He slowly removes his jacket and places it on the piano. He walks to the edge of the balcony and looks over at the vast scenery. Three Bentleys and two Range Rovers were parked at the front. He looked over o his tennis court and basketball court. He slowly removed his shoes and kicked them off the balcony. He took one last look over at his piano, he looked to the sky and launched himself off the balcony into the empty swimming pool. The moonlight shone brightly on his limp, dead body.)

End Scene.

Scene 10

(The next day Tony’s mansion was swarming police and news reporters. Yellow tape surrounded the mansion but it did not stop people of the neighbourhood surrounding the scene.)

Reporter: At 8am this morning police found the body of famous singer dead in his mansion in New York. His body was found in his empty swimming pool. It was believed to have been suicide.

Mick: Look what I found detective.

John: What?

Mick: A note in his blazer pocket, check it out.

John: Let me see this. It says, ‘I’m sorry Ricky, I did you wrong. Now you’re in the jail house because I done wrong. Yes you were right, you said one day we would make it. But where did it take us? I wish I never took you with me on this twisted yellow brick road, with the ghosts and shadows. Full of dead ends and groupies. We weren’t meant to be a part of this world. I hope the world finds out the truth that it wasn’t you. Wish it was like the old times where we just used to play football in the park till dark. We had no worries, we were stress free. Sometimes when you chase your dreams you get lost. Kelly I still love you. To this day I still love you, I wanted to build an empire for us but instead I built a lonely castle and kept you out. With the groupies and Nophin as my security guards refusing to let you in. I should have kept you in. They say the smallest light can light the darkest room. I should have kept you in. But I heard you got a baby. Hope she ain’t keeping you up at night I know you love your sleep lazy bones. Sweet dreams my love I will always have a place in my heart for you. I’m sorry I didn’t listen to you. I guess it’s dark when your living in the limelight.’

End Scene