INT. DAY, INSIDE THE KITCHEN OF A VERY MIDDLE CLASS HOUSEHOLD. MUM AND DAD ARE STANDING AND THEIR LITTLE GIRL OF 5 IS SITTING AT A TABLE DRAWING.
Dad:
Now make sure you’re extra good when Mr Hussein comes.
Little girl:
Why is Mr Sane coming?
Mum:
He’s Daddy’s big boss and he wants to talk about a promotion.
Little girl:
What’s a permotion?
Daddy:
Aw, well it means Daddy would get more money for working
Mum:
So maybe Daddy could buy you a pony if Mr. Hussein likes his ideas.
Little girl:
I like Daddy’s ideas.
SHE SWINGS HER LEGS EXCITEDLY
Mum:
But Daddy needs to say clever things about how he’s going to stop people hating people for their skin colour or religion.
Little girl:
What religion is Mr Sane?
Dad:
He’s a Muslim.
Little girl:
We did Muslims in school – it started with Poppet Muhammad.
Dad:
Clever girl! Prophet Muhammad! How did –
THE BELL RINGS
Mum:
It’s Mr Hussein now.
Dad:
You carry on with your drawing, there’s a good girl.
FADE. TEXT ON SCREEN: ‘AFTER 2 MINUTES’ IDLE CHIT CHAT’
Mr HUssein (to the little girl):
And what’s this clever girl drawing? Oooh, a man with funny shoes.
THE GIRL PROUDLY HOLDS UP HER DRAWING.
Little girl:
It’s a cartoon. It’s Poppet Muhammad – he’s a clown!
SILENCE. PAUSE.
Little girl:
The Poppet Muhammad’s a clown! Will I get a pony?
SHE GRABS A RAG DOLL CLOWN FROM THE BACK OF THE CHAIR AND HOLDS IT UP TO MR HUSSEIN.
Mr Hussein:
I have a terrible phobia of clowns…I -
MR HUSSEIN FAINTS. CU OF MR HUSSEIN’S UNCONSCIOUS FACE ON THE FLOOR. THE GIRL CONTINUES TO LAUGH.
TEXT: ONE YEAR LATER.
THE CAMERA PULLS BACK TO REVEAL THE SAME FAMILY IN FRONT OF A TERRACED HOUSE. MUM AND DAD ARE SITTING IN A DECK CHAIR: DAD WEARING A WIFE BEATER’S VEST AND MUM IN A TRACK SUIT AND SLIPPERS. THE CAMERA PULLS BACK FURTHER TO REVEAL THE LITTLE GIRL PLAYING ON AN OLD HOBBY HORSE. THE WORD, ‘NAZIS’ IS SCRAWLED ON THEIR FRONT WALL.
CUT.
