A script for the first episode of a series of radio dramas based on past events in Coventry. For a university module

1. The Past is Present: Mary Ball
By
Lillie Cram, Riku Määttä &
Denise Nisa

2. THE PAST IS PRESENT: MARY BALL
PRESENTER
Welcome to The Past is Present. This weeks drama is
based on Mary Ball - the last woman to be executed in
Coventry. She still haunts the building where she was
sentenced to death by hanging for poisoning her
husband using arsenic. Over 150 years later the
county court and jail is now a popular restaurant
called The Establishment.
Scene: 1
(9TH AUGUST 1849, MARY BALL’S EXECUTION)
F/X: CHURCH BELLS, WIND, CROWDS
TOWN CRIER
[shouting] Everyone gather round! 9th August 1849 the
morning of Mary Balls final day! Everyone hurry she
is to be hung at exactly 10am!
F/X: CROWD GOES SILENT, FINAL BELL SOUNDS
F/X: TRAP DOOR FALLING, ROPE PULLING, FINAL YELP
Scene: 2
(PRESENT DAY, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
F/X: SONG, GLASSES CHINKING, PLATES
SARAH
Hi, are you ready to order?
MAN
Yep, I’ll have the fish and chips. Make it as quick
as possible, I’m a busy man and I’ve got things to
do.
SARAH
OK sir, I’ll get that to the chef straight away
MAN
Well, I’d expect you to, isn’t that your job?
SARAH
Yes sir
Scene: 3
(KITCHEN, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
F/X: DOOR OPENING, LOUD CLANGS, OVENS
(CONTINUED)

3. CONTINUED: 2.
SARAH
[Shouting over the noise] Got another order for you
Chef
CHEF
OK Sarah, is there not some tables you should be
clearing?
Scene: 4
(RESTAURANT, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
F/X: PLATES CLINKING, GENERAL CHATTER, GLASSES
F/X: CLEANING SPRAY, WIPING, SHOES
MAN
[shouting] Waitress! How long will my food be?
SARAH
[politely] I’ll go check now sir
Scene: 5
(KITCHEN, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
SARAH
How long will the fish and chips be chef?
CHEF
Do you see how busy we are? It will be ready when
it’s ready!
Scene: 6
(RESTAURANT, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
SARAH
Can I get you another drink while you wait?
MAN
No, I want my food, I came here to eat not drink I
thought this was a good restaurant. It’s only fish
and chips! Have you sent the chef to go catch the
thing.
SARAH
I’m sorry, I’ll talk to the chef again
MAN
(TUTTING)

4. 3.
Scene: 7
(KITCHEN, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
CHEF
Sarah! Where have you been?
SARAH
I was just..
CHEF
[cutting her off] I don’t care, the fish and chips is
ready, don’t keep the customer waiting any longer
that you already have.
SARAH
OK chef, I’ll take it now
F/X: SALT SHAKER, LEMON, VINEGAR
SARAH
[talking to self] Hmm.. lets but some extra salt on
this, [pause] and some lemon juice, ooh and some
vinegar
CHEF
[shouting] Sarah! What is taking you so long, get it
out!
(SARAH GOES TO LEAVE KITCHEN)
F/X: FOOTSTEPS, PICKING UP THE PLATE
F/X: TRIPPING, CRASH, PLATE SMASH
CHEF
[shouting] Sarah! What is going on?
SARAH
What?.. why did you push me?
CHEF
No one pushed you, you fool you tripped! And look at
that food
SARAH
No honestly, someone definitely pushed me! I felt it!
CHEF
Don’t be so stupid, we are all over here look no
where near you, now get up and go get me another fish
from downstairs

5. 4.
Scene: 8
(BASEMENT, PM, THE ESTABLISHMENT)
F/X: FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS, FRIDGE & LIGHTS BUZZ
SARAH
[talking to self] Eurgh, I can’t deal with all this
right now
F/X: PHONE VIBRATING
SARAH
Oh no, not now James. [takes deep breath] Hello..
Yeah I know I said I would be home.. there’s been a
problem... I will be home later.. OK OK calm down..
OK Bye. [sigh]
F/X: PHONE HANGING UP
SARAH
[talking to self] what is it with men today? [sigh]
(OPENS FREEZER TO GET FISH)
F/X: MOUSE SQUEAKING
SARAH
Oh my god! This is the last thing I need, didn’t we
put poison down like last month? eurgh better get
some more
F/X: SHUFFLING THROUGH CUPBOARDS
CHEF
[shouting from above] Sarah! If you want to keep your
job I suggest you hurry up! What on earth are you
doing down there?
SARAH
[talking to self] maybe some other rodents need
poisoning too
F/X: CHURCH BELLS, LIGHTS FLICKERING
SARAH
[to self] What the..
F/X: FOOTSTEPS DOWN STAIRS, CREAKING
SARAH
Yeah I’ll be right there chef
F/X: FOOTSTEPS CONTINUE GETTING CLOSER
(CONTINUED)

6. CONTINUED: 5.
SARAH
Who’s there? [pause] I guess my mind is playing
tricks on me
MAN
[shouting from upstairs] This is outrageous, where is
that young excuse of a waitress! I demand to speak to
her manager right now!
SARAH
[to self] Oh really, an excuse? Lets see how you like
the taste of poison with your fish and chips
F/X: SARAH’S FOOTSTEPS UPSTAIRS
Scene: 9
(KITCHEN)
F/X: KITCHEN SOUNDS
CHEF
Right Sarah, carry this meal very carefully, this is
your last chance! Oh and be sure to apologise to the
customer
Scene: 10
(RESTAURANT )
SARAH
Here you go sir, one fish and chips, enjoy
MAN
About time..
F/X: CHURCH BELL, GUSH OF WIND, LIGHTS FLICKERING
SARAH
[to self] what is it with the lights?
MAN
What, they are on right? Would you rather us eat in
darkness? The lights are fine, obviously your head
isn’t. [pause] This food is freezing cold, is it even
cooked?
SARAH
I just brought it straight from the Chef, its freshly
cooked
MAN
[cutting her off] I’ve had enough! This has been
ridiculous, I will be writing a letter of complaint
to your manager!
F/X: PLATE BEING PUSHED AWAY, CHAIR MOVING
(CONTINUED)

7. CONTINUED: 6.
MAN
[shouting] I won’t be giving you any money for this
poor quality of service and I will make sure
everybody hears about this!
F/X: FOOTSTEPS AWAY, OTHER CUSTOMERS STOP
TALKING
Scene: 11
(KITCHEN)
F/X: THROWING FOOD IN BIN
CHEF
What did you do now?
SARAH
He said it was freezing cold, I took it straight to
him!
CHEF
[shouting] You couldn’t even manage to take a plate
to a customer, I’ve had it up to here with your
stupidity, get your things and get out!
SARAH
More than happy to chef! All you’ve done is mess me
around, playing with the lights, pushing me, play
church bells - are you trying to make me out to be a
mad woman?
CHEF
You’ve got to be out of your mind Sarah, do you
really think I have time to do all that? [Laughing]
It must be a ghost from the old jail, [laughing
harder] You are acting like that woman, whatever her
name was, hated men, and poisoned her husband! She
was the hanged just outside, did you not know?
SARAH
Poisoned? [mumble] maybe she had good reason if he
was a man like you!
F/X: CHURCH BELLS SLOWLY FADE OUT
THE END