The Next 5 Minutes Teleplay
INT. APARTMENT OF VICTIM - AFTERNOON
Open on black screen. There is the sound of a glove snapping, and at the same time the back wall of the flat appears.
JOHN
(off screen)
Yep.
JOHN stands up, head popping into shot in center.
JOHN
Cyanide poisoning.
Camera zooms out to reveal room, JOHN, LESTRADE, and VICTIM.
LESTRADE
You’re sure?
JOHN
He reeks of almonds, for
one thing. For another,
you’re forgetting I’ve
been at this for two years
now. I’ll get into detail
in the report.
LESTRADE
God, has it been that long
already?
JOHN
In a few days, yes. Two
years being your
mortician. Sherlock gone
for three.
LESTRADE
Are we going to have the
memorial again this year?
JOHN
Yes. You should get your
invite in the post
tomorrow.
LESTRADE
Ah, I’m sorry to drag
you out so close then,
especially for this
kind of work.
JOHN
It’s fine, keeps me
busy.
LESTRADE
Alright, well, if you
need anything…
LESTRADE claps a hand on JOHNS shoulder and leaves.
CLOSE UP: JOHN’s face, LESTRADE is heard shouting for ANDERSON and forensics is heard in background.
CUT TO:
INT. POOL - AFTER EXPLOSION
JOHN is covered in blood, laying under rubble, just regaining consciousness. He makes pained noises, shouts, groans.
JOHN
Sherlock?
JOHN begins to get out of rubble.
JOHN
Sherlock!
(echoes)
Oh, God!
CUT TO:
Flurry of clips of JOHN sifting through rubble, calling SHERLOCK’s name. JOHN’s appearance worsens as clips progress, his right arm is broken and he has an extremely pronounced limp.
MYCROFT’s hand lands on JOHN’s shoulder.
MYCROFT
John…
JOHN
Just a bit longer. Just a
little bit. A few more
minutes… A few… Just…
MYROFT
(firmer)
John.
CUT TO:
INT. 221b, DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - MORNING
JOHN has suitcases at his feet and has outerwear on.
MRS. HUDSON
You’ll write me, won’t you
dear?
JOHN
Of course, Mrs. Hudson,
especially after all
you’ve done. I wish I
could stay but… well, you
know.
MRS. HUDSON
Oh yes, I know exactly.
Can hardly bear to go up
myself. Now, you’re sure
you’ve got everything?
JOHN
Yes, all of mine anyway. I
don’t know what to do with
his things.
MRS. HUDSON
Oh, don’t worry yourself
with that dear. I’ll take
care of it. You just be
sure to send a copy of
your book to me!
JOHN
Of course.
(Kisses MRS. HUDSON on her cheek)
Thank you for everything,
Mrs. Hudson.
MRS. HUDSON
(solemnly)
My pleasure, John.
CUT TO:
INT. JOHN’S OFFICE - EVENING
JOHN is sorting paperwork. ASSISTANT comes in.
ASSISTANT
Dr. Watson, there’s a man
in the waiting room who
says he urgently needs to
see you.
JOHN
Did you tell him I don’t
take patients anymore?
ASSISTANT
Well, he’s actually not a
patient.
(beat)
He’s here about your
books.
JOHN
Ugh, I knew I shouldn’t
have used real names… I
assume he wouldn’t leave?
ASSISTANT
No. He was- He was very
persistent.
JOHN
Alright. You can send him
in. Sorry about all this,
I’m sure being harassed
by fans isn’t the way you
wanted to end your day.
ASSISTANT
Oh, it’s- it’s fine! I’ll
bring him in.
ASSISTANT leaves. John goes back to his papers briefly. Door opens, SHERLOCK enters.
SHERLOCK
You’ll never believe how
much money people are
willing to pay for this
rubbish.
SHERLOCK throws a book entitled “A Study in Pink” onto JOHN’s desk. JOHN openly stares.
JOHN
What-- How-
SHERLOCK
(Smirking)
I’ll fill you in on our
way to Baker Street.
Open on black screen. There is the sound of a glove snapping, and at the same time the back wall of the flat appears.
JOHN
(off screen)
Yep.
JOHN stands up, head popping into shot in center.
JOHN
Cyanide poisoning.
Camera zooms out to reveal room, JOHN, LESTRADE, and VICTIM.
LESTRADE
You’re sure?
JOHN
He reeks of almonds, for
one thing. For another,
you’re forgetting I’ve
been at this for two years
now. I’ll get into detail
in the report.
LESTRADE
God, has it been that long
already?
JOHN
In a few days, yes. Two
years being your
mortician. Sherlock gone
for three.
LESTRADE
Are we going to have the
memorial again this year?
JOHN
Yes. You should get your
invite in the post
tomorrow.
LESTRADE
Ah, I’m sorry to drag
you out so close then,
especially for this
kind of work.
JOHN
It’s fine, keeps me
busy.
LESTRADE
Alright, well, if you
need anything…
LESTRADE claps a hand on JOHNS shoulder and leaves.
CLOSE UP: JOHN’s face, LESTRADE is heard shouting for ANDERSON and forensics is heard in background.
CUT TO:
INT. POOL - AFTER EXPLOSION
JOHN is covered in blood, laying under rubble, just regaining consciousness. He makes pained noises, shouts, groans.
JOHN
Sherlock?
JOHN begins to get out of rubble.
JOHN
Sherlock!
(echoes)
Oh, God!
CUT TO:
Flurry of clips of JOHN sifting through rubble, calling SHERLOCK’s name. JOHN’s appearance worsens as clips progress, his right arm is broken and he has an extremely pronounced limp.
MYCROFT’s hand lands on JOHN’s shoulder.
MYCROFT
John…
JOHN
Just a bit longer. Just a
little bit. A few more
minutes… A few… Just…
MYROFT
(firmer)
John.
CUT TO:
INT. 221b, DOWNSTAIRS HALLWAY - MORNING
JOHN has suitcases at his feet and has outerwear on.
MRS. HUDSON
You’ll write me, won’t you
dear?
JOHN
Of course, Mrs. Hudson,
especially after all
you’ve done. I wish I
could stay but… well, you
know.
MRS. HUDSON
Oh yes, I know exactly.
Can hardly bear to go up
myself. Now, you’re sure
you’ve got everything?
JOHN
Yes, all of mine anyway. I
don’t know what to do with
his things.
MRS. HUDSON
Oh, don’t worry yourself
with that dear. I’ll take
care of it. You just be
sure to send a copy of
your book to me!
JOHN
Of course.
(Kisses MRS. HUDSON on her cheek)
Thank you for everything,
Mrs. Hudson.
MRS. HUDSON
(solemnly)
My pleasure, John.
CUT TO:
INT. JOHN’S OFFICE - EVENING
JOHN is sorting paperwork. ASSISTANT comes in.
ASSISTANT
Dr. Watson, there’s a man
in the waiting room who
says he urgently needs to
see you.
JOHN
Did you tell him I don’t
take patients anymore?
ASSISTANT
Well, he’s actually not a
patient.
(beat)
He’s here about your
books.
JOHN
Ugh, I knew I shouldn’t
have used real names… I
assume he wouldn’t leave?
ASSISTANT
No. He was- He was very
persistent.
JOHN
Alright. You can send him
in. Sorry about all this,
I’m sure being harassed
by fans isn’t the way you
wanted to end your day.
ASSISTANT
Oh, it’s- it’s fine! I’ll
bring him in.
ASSISTANT leaves. John goes back to his papers briefly. Door opens, SHERLOCK enters.
SHERLOCK
You’ll never believe how
much money people are
willing to pay for this
rubbish.
SHERLOCK throws a book entitled “A Study in Pink” onto JOHN’s desk. JOHN openly stares.
JOHN
What-- How-
SHERLOCK
(Smirking)
I’ll fill you in on our
way to Baker Street.