Rusty's Journey Home
A Screenplay written by
Anastasija, Adam, Martin, Alaina, Sileena, Lexi, Megan, Gwen, Carmen, Charlie, Fionn, Olivia, Josh, Valerii, Alex, Sineta, Alanna, Molly, Ladina, Isobelle and Ryan.
This screenplay was written by a group of young writers from Leixlip Youth Reach over the course of three weeks in March 2023.
Characters
Lauren, 19. Mental health issues, Lovely person, Caring, Funny, Wealthy. Green eyes, Long Curly Blonde hair, 5” 9”.
Jeffrey Dempsey, 18. Reserved, Honest, Single, Dog person, Naïve. Brown hair, Braces, Lives alone, He busks.
Michael, 30. Lives alone, Eccentric (weird in a nice way), Was in the army, Benny is his emotional support dog, CPTSD, Night terrors, Prosthetic leg.
Benny/Rusty, 3 (21 in Dog Years), Jack Russell Dog.
Illustration by Anastasija.
Setting
1984, Spring, Inishowen Donegal,
Scene One
Kilpurr, Donegal.
Lauren
Hello.
How was the holiday?
Lauren
Good - where is Rusty?
Jeffrey
I’m not sure.
Lauren
What do you mean, I’m not sure?
Jeffrey
Something happened when you were away. I never had your dog.
(Lauren slams the table.)
Lauren
Rusty is my life. Where is he?
Jeffrey
Are you off your meds, Lauren?
Lauren
What does that have to do with anything?
Jeffrey
I’m worried about you. You’re acting strange.
Lauren
Mind your own business!
Jeffrey
You’re going back to your old ways.
Lauren
How dare you bring that up!
Jeffrey
Rusty is not real.
Lauren
But I gave him to you.
Jeffrey
No, you gave me a dog, not Rusty.
Lauren
What are you talking about?
Jeffery
While I was setting up my busking gear someone asked could they put a poster in my guitar case . . .
Lauren
And?
Jeffery
. . . it was a missing dog poster.
Scene Two
Michael’s house, Slaíville, Donegal.
RTE Radio Broadcaster
Good morning, it is 9 o’clock, we have some breaking news coming in from County Donegal. There has been a bombing in Inishowen at 4.40 am this morning, 6 people have died and 10 injured. The bomb went off in the main street.
Michael
Having a panic attack.
B-B-B-B-Bennyyy!!
Silence, static from the radio. Michael searches the house for Benny.
I need to find my dog. What do I do!?
RTE Broadcaster
The road is closed. Please stay away for your own safety.
More static. Michael turns the dial finds a new station.
Local Broadcaster
…..Small Jack Russell wandering the streets......
Michael (gasps)
Benny!
Scene Three
Dog End Street, Donegal Town. Jeffrey is setting up for busking.
Jeffrey
I’ve spoken to the owner of the dog on the phone. The dog’s name is actually Benny.
Lauren
Jeffrey, I’m not stupid, I know it’s my dog.
Jeffrey
This dog is about to have puppies and she needs her owner.
Lauren
What do you mean, it’s pregnant? I thought it was a boy.
Jeffrey (clicks his fingers)
Guess what, it’s a gurl!
Lauren
Bullshit.
There is the sound of puppy yelps from the guitar case.
Jeffrey
Let me show you.
Jeffrey opens the guitar case. The puppies have just been born.
Lauren
Oh my god.
Jeffrey
We need to get them to the owner.
Lauren
Do you think he’ll let me keep them?
Jeffrey
Obviously not.
Lauren
What do you mean?
Jeffrey
They need their mother for eight weeks before they can be separated. We’ll ring the number off the flier and let him know we have his dogs.
Scene Four
Michael’s House, Slaiville, Donegal.
Michael opens the door. Lauren and Jeffrey are there with the dogs. They all awkwardly stare at each other for 10 seconds.
Michael
Arrghh, Benny!
Michael picks up Benny.
Hold on, let me go and get your reward.
Lauren
Holding a puppy in her hand.
Wait a minute...
Michael
Why do you have a puppy?
Lauren
Did you know your dog was pregnant?
Michael
Are these my puppies?
Lauren
How do you feel about one of the puppies being the reward instead?
Jeffrey
When they’re old enough.
Michael
But my dog was neutered...
