Q&A with Kit and Aiden
I wrote this up for Becky from Becky’s Barmy Book Blog but I thought I’d repost it here as formatting is a complete bitch on the these blogs. It’s a small script I wrote for Kit and Aiden, basically being forced to interview one another. It goes a bit weird and hits the fourth wall.
ACT 1
FADE IN:
EXT: GREENWICH - AN ABANDONED WAREHOUSE - NIGHT
Two cars pull up. One is a red Mini Cooper. The other is a black SUV with tinted windows. The doors open and close in unison. Two people get out. From the Mini Cooper, a pretty tall brunette, dressed in dark grey form fitting combat trousers and black ankle boots. The black polo-neck she’s wearing is partly covered by a military stab vest. She carries a sheathed sword in one hand. This is KIT BLACKHART. She looks over at the youth who got out of the SUV and gives him a slow nod of acknowledgement.
The youth - AIDEN GARRETT - returns the nod with one of his own and moves towards her. Although Kit is tall (at least 6ft in her socks) Aiden is taller still with broad shoulders and a lean physique. He’s dressed in dark jeans, boots and a v-neck Henley. Unlike Kit he carries no weapons.
KIT
You got the call too?
AIDEN
I did. Not happy about this though, you know? I was heading into town to hang out with Leo. We had plans. Clubbing, kissing girls. And now this.
KIT
(annoyed)
Sorry to cramp your social life. Let’s go see what she wants.
AIDEN
Ladies first.
KIT
(scowling at him as she unsheathes her sword)
Watch your six.
AIDEN
Are you ever not armed to the teeth? And convinced people are out to get you?
They walk towards the half-open doors of the warehouse. The whole area looks unsafe and unsavory. A place where bad things happen. The shadows are thick near the door and both Kit and Aiden go into tactical mode as they crouch low before entering the warehouse. They clear the corners but there’s not sign of anyone.
AIDEN
Did you bring a gun?
KIT
No. I didn’t think I’d need it. You know, she said she just wanted to talk.
AIDEN
(mutters darkly)
Good, because you suck at shooting. I still have the scar where you hit me the last time.
KIT
Shut up. You weren’t even supposed to be there. It’s not my fault you’re allergic to silver, wolf boy. Can you smell anything?
Aiden moves away from Kit, further into the dark and echoey warehouse, his head raised, drawing the air into his lungs.
AIDEN
No, but someone’s been here. Check that out.
Kit walks up to him and follows the line of his arm as he points. She still couldn’t quite make it out. Annoyance crosses her features as she closes her eyes. There’s a faint HUM and we suddenly see the world from Kit’s perspective. The darkness in the warehouse has taken on a green sheen, very much like you’d see through night vision goggles.
A table with a TV and camera has been set up, along with two chairs and a single light, like on a photo shoot.
KIT
What the hell is this about?
AIDEN
I have no idea, let’s go check it out.
Keeping an eye on the shadows around them, they move swiftly to the table. There’s a NOTE on the table, written in a neat hand.
KIT
She’s kidding, right?
AIDEN
No, she’s serious! (sighs)
Writers, they’re all off their heads on power or something. Lording it about. (mimics) If you don’t toe the line I will kill you or torture you in my next book.
They look annoyed but eventually they get the camera working and linked to the TV screen. They settle down on the chairs, shifting about uncomfortably.
AIDEN
She could’ve left a heater or something in here. I’m freezing.
KIT
God, you must be the whiniest werewolf I’ve ever come across. She didn’t say how long the interview was supposed to be, did she? How about five questions each? That should cover it.
They high five to that before settling down and fiddling with the camera so that the red light shows that it’s recording. They can see themselves on the TV screen. Kit reaches up to tidy her hair but then shrugs and lets her hand drop. Instead she fiddles with her sword until Aiden nudges her.
AIDEN
You go first. You’re the star of the show.
KIT
Uh, hi. My name is Kit Blackhart and I’m the main character in Banished and this is just really awkward and weird and I basically hate Liz right now. But uh, well, we got to do what she says. So with me today is Aiden. He’s a secondary character in Banished. And he’s a friend. (she narrows her eyes at him) Unless he annoys me then I may have to shoot him full of bullets or something.
KIT
(continued)
So, as I’m the one starting this, my question to Aiden is about your werewolf shape: why do you change into a wolf and not some half man-beast like in Wolfman?
AIDEN
Smooth, Blackhart, really smooth. Hi guys, nice to meet you. The reason I don’t look like a Hollywood freak, is well, I’m a purebred werewolf. My shape is either human or wolf. It’s usually the guys who get bit who turn into these rabid half-human beasties you hear about in the news. Oh, hold on a second. (he leans closer to Kit to hear what she’s whispering) Oh right, those things you hear about in the news? Not really real. Sorry.
AIDEN
(continued)
My turn to ask a question now, to Kit. Uhm, Kit. (laughs) Sorry, everything I can think about is really inappropriate. Okay, how about this: out of all your cousins and uncles and aunts, who’s your favourite and why?
KIT
Crap question, wolf boy. Thanks for that. (thinks a bit) I think I will have to say my Uncle Jamie. I mean, he’s the one who came to find me in hospital after my Nan died. He’s the one who told me who I was. What the Blackharts did. He’s also the guy who’s been training me and my cousins. So yeah, right now? Uncle Jamie is my favourite.
AIDEN
Are those tears, Blackhart?
KIT
Is this my fist in your face?
AIDEN
Is that my question? Then yes, it is your fist in my face. Put it away, Kit. Here’s a handkerchief. You cry ugly; no one wants to see that.
Kit turns away from the screen after accepting the handkerchief to wipe her eyes before turning back.
KIT
Stupid allergies, sorry about that. (crappy smile) Okay, Aiden, I must know: if my cousin Megan ever said yes to a date with you, where would you take her and what would you do? I mean, basically I want to know what your idea of a romantic date would be?
AIDEN
(he looks terrified)
Megan? Why are you even asking this? Do you think she’d go out with me if I asked her? Did she say she liked me like that? Kit? Stop laughing. Ow, that hurts. Okay. Fine. I’d take her for dinner at one of the really swanky places in Mayfair. Then I’d take her dancing at Milton’s. Then, when she got bored of dancing, I’d take her to St Paul’s and we can sit on the roof and watch the sun rise. Then, because I know you Blackharts have a thing about eating, I’d take her to Brick Lane and feed her fresh bagels. Then I’ll get a taxi and we’ll head back to your place. Where I will leave her with a chaste kiss on the cheek and then I will go home to my place.
AIDEN
What do you think of that? I’m a classy guy.
KIT
You’ve got it bad. (laughs) Okay, what’s your next question?
AIDEN
But seriously, feel free to tell Megan I’d like to take her out. Any time she’s in the mood, you know? Man, she does things to my head. (sighs) Okay. Next question: if you never found out about being a Blackhart and if your magic never manifested, what would you do with your life?
KIT
I’d be a set designer, working in movies or TV. Or a costume designer. Something creative like that. How about you? What if you were Aiden Garrett bad ass werewolf, what would you be? What would you do with your life?
AIDEN
I don’t know. I’ve not actually ever thought about it. I suppose it would be weird being just a normal guy. With no pack to relate to. Maybe I’d be a doctor? I think I’d like to work with kids. You know? Look after the kids who really have no one else to look after them.
KIT
You’re just a big old softie, aren’t you? Ouch! Okay, stop, I won’t laugh at you anymore. Sorry. Your turn now. I’ve lost count how many we’ve done now. How about two more?
AIDEN
Each? Or me one and then you one?
KIT
Me one then you one. If Liz isn’t happy with this then she can just you know forget about screwing with my life some more cos I’m done. Done. (determined stare to camera)
AIDEN
That’s fighting talk, crazy girl. Okay. My turn.
He narrows his eyes at her thoughtfully.
AIDEN
What is the thing you miss most about your normal life? Your life pre-Blackhart?
KIT
Seriously? Do you enjoy being an idiot? (heavy sigh) Okay, so…I really miss being honest with my best friend, Karina. She lives in Germany. We had all these great plans to travel after school, doing a gap year. Travel in Europe and then go on to America, you know? Now, that’s not possible. I’ve not ever been able to tell her about what I do really. Can you imagine the postcard: Dear Karina, just hung out in Prague for the weekend. Fought a gargoyle and went to dinner with a werewolf. Wish you were here. All my love, Kit xo xo
AIDEN
(after a few seconds) So, on a scale of one to ten, how hot is Karina?
KIT
Oh my god, Aiden, seriously? Are you even for real?
AIDEN
What? Enquiring minds need to know, Kit. Come on. Is Karina hot?
KIT
Her brother is super hot. I’ve been half in love with him all my life it seems like. (stupid grin on her face before she remembers herself and sits upright in her chair) Okay, forget about Karina for now. Last question, then we’re outta here. My turn.
AIDEN
I can’t wait.
KIT
If you could change anything that happens in Banished, what would it be?
AIDEN
(huffs out a breath)
Wow. That’s not a loaded question at all. I think I’d change the whole thing with Scarlet. That was really unpleasant and made me feel powerless and useless.
KIT
I know. Our lives are messed up.
AIDEN
Look, wanna get out of here? Leo’s waiting at Milton’s. We can party till dawn?
KIT
Sounds like a plan. Kyle’s not expecting me back at the house. Uncle Andrew’s calling from New York in the morning though. Apparently there’s a rumour of faerie drugs doing the rounds in nightclub. No doubt he expects me to investigate it.
AIDEN
Oh great. Faerie drugpushers. That’s all the human world needs.
END OF ACT 1
Thanks so much to Becky for letting me hang out!
This little Q&A takes place between Banished and the second book ,Vowed, out in November this year, if all goes well. Hopefully it’s given you an idea as to who the characters are and the way I set the scene is fun and aimed to be read as if it’s a movie / tv show.
Mirrored from Liz de Jager.