Storyboard and Synopsis - Part One

The film begins with the character of Rhys waking up from an attack that has left him unconscious. Coming round he finds himself bound to a chair also his sister Kathy and best friend/work colleague Lucy Morgan are tied by nooses to the ceiling of the warehouse. He notices that both women are on a trap door and are unable to move and rescue themselves. As his vision returns to complete focus the panic and questioning begins. Before Rhys has a chance to enquire anymore Lucy is given a message via earpiece from their captor.

Lucy is informed by Lance (The villain) that Rhys has two minutes in which to decide which one of them gets to live and which one of them dies. The tone of language and style he uses reinforces that this “game” as Lance calls it is personal between the two men. Panic and fear overcome Lucy as she forgets all previous training and warnings and pleads for life as well as communicating her terror. In contrast to Lucy’s behaviour, Kathy is calm and collected and even manages to use sarcasm, representing that she may already know Rhys’ decision or that she is indifferent and unable to feel the emotions that others in the room are portraying.

Rhys attempts to maintain control over the situation and instructs the two women in the best way he can. He tells Kathy to try and move, as he tries to remain calm. The movement of Kathy causes the rope to pull tighter around Lucy’s neck and she ends up screaming in pain. Ordering Kathy to stop is reminiscent of the power that Rhys uses in his everyday career; he suddenly looses the calm composure he has been using as the reality of the situation sets in. Whispering to Kathy he apologises for what can either be interpreted as the decision he is about to make or for a mistake he could have made in their past.  At this point the apology triggers something in Kathy and she tells him of how she believes Rhys see’s her. The dejected tone and language she uses show that she has had a troubled childhood and a stressed relationship with Rhys.  The realisation of what is about to happen hits Lucy and she angrily informs Rhys that this wasn’t how it was supposed to go, conveying that a situation like this may have been planned for.

Lucy then tries to persuade Rhys to change his mind by making him promise to take of Lucy’s two young children Ben and Amy. This information only seems to make Rhys’ choice harder and he struggles to choose between his heart and his head. He vows that he should have been able to save them both but his choice is cemented when he turns to Kathy and declares that promise shouldn’t made if you can’t keep them, conveying the immaturity that consists in their relationship. Lucy becomes aware that this is Rhys final decision and is furious that they’ve gone against all their codes and practices and chosen an innocent life. Kathy explains to Lucy that her brother is too caring and that it’s his biggest fault. Kathy and Rhys for the first time convey true emotions as they say goodbye. As Rhys’ decision is made the trapdoor swings open and Rhys closes his eyes unable to watch his sister’s death.