Treatment
Olivia Clarke
Now and Then
Drama, Thriller.
"The day she wants to forget will be the day that she will remember forever."
Suzannah is a 22 year old woman who has just graduated from University with a degree in engineering technology. Her troubled friend has been a 'working project' for Suzannah since they were 5 years old. Suzannah is a ruthless and moral character however her judgement can be swayed by her friend Kathryn. After being away at University she returns to find that her friend has gone back to her old ways-getting into trouble. Suzannah can't help but feel obliged to help her friend like she has done thousands of times before.
Kathryn is a 23 year old women who dropped out of school when she was 14 after her mother died. She relies on Suzannah heavily and always has for both financial and emotional support. She has always been troublesome but Suzannah always makes her see the wrong in her actions preventing her from taking it further. In Suzannah's absence Kathryn has developed a relationship with a notorious criminal in Swindon. It seems that Kathryn is in too deep this time.
Graham is a 28 year old man who has been known for criminal activity in Swindon for a long time. He knows how naiive Kathryn is and uses her to do petty crimes. He is ruthless in his attempts to claim power over a rival and he lures Kathryn into his plan with the promise of fortune. He is aware of Suzannah's hold over Kathryn and wants to eliminate the problem.
Act 1:
Suzannah is driving home when she recieves a phone call from Kathryn asking if she can see Suzannah as soon as possible. Suzannah agrees and they meet at Kathryns house. Kathryn explains to Suzannah that she is afraid of Graham's plan to kill his rival. Suzannah explains how this is the last straw with Graham. She wants Suzannahs advice but all Suzannah says it that she should end things with him. Graham arrives and enters the room with a false hospitality. He urges Kathryn to leave with him and when Suzannah lies claiming they have plans, Graham threatens Suzannah and leaves with Kathryn chasing him trying to calm him down. Suzannah leaves a pair of clips in a ribboned box for Kathryn, which is a device she has developed in order to hear Kathryns conversations. When returns home and calls Kathryn asking for her to come to Suzannahs house to talk more about what had happened and what she wants Kathryn to do.
Act 2:
Suzannah is running in the park and thinking back on previous events she cant seem to escape. She wanted to help her friend but she couldn't let her get away with it. She thinks back upon following Kathryn down the street and hearing her confess that Graham has killed someone and that she will help him hide the weapon. Suzannah can't forgive her friend for this and is haunted by the idea of her friend being lost to a man who is controlling her. Suzannah has confessed to the Police what she knows and a court case has been opened against Graham but Suzannah has lost Kathryn in the process as Kathryn feels betrayed. We see Suzannah looking at the court case papers and screaming in distress of the situation.
She then looks back on Kathryn's confession at Suzannahs house, and how hastily she judges her friend without letting her explain. We see how Suzannah's patience is drawn thin with Kathryn's problems and how the day is vivid for Suzannah to remember. Suzannah has not only betrayed her friend, but she has lost her friend possibly forever and she becomes completely incoherent with everyday life.
Act 3:
Suzannah awakes in her room reflecting on what had happened and looks back on it. She sneaks into Grahams house and quietly awakens Kathryn and asks her to come outside with her. She gets in the car with a bag full of Kathryns clothes, her passport and essentials. She hands them to Kathryn and tells her to run. She explains how she is sorry for her betrayal but tries to make Kathryn understand how she is wrong for trusting Graham. Unfortunately Suzannah is pursued by Graham and he rapidly catches up with them and she struggles with Kathryn; trying to convince her to leave or go to jail. She drops Kathryn at the airport and tells her to go and to never look back. Graham calls Suzannah threatening her and they end up in a chase around Swindon. The police join the chase and just as Graham closes in on Suzannah the police capture him and are able to arrest him permanently. Suzannah is safe but she has lost her friend with no knowledge of her whereabouts or whether she actually ever forgave her.
