EXT. Road, Evening

Talee walks along the road, thumb out, trying to get a lift.

A van slows to a stop.

The driver is a stocky, middle-aged man. He winds down the window.

Driver

Where you headed?

Talee

Into the city ... anywhere that way.

DRIVER

I’m headed into Oxford Street, that suit?

Talee

Yeah. Great.

Talee gets into the van.

INT. Van, Evening

Driver

Where you from?

Talee

Leeds. Moved down a couple of days ago.

Driver

And what are you doing out here?

Talee

It’s been a bizarre couple of days.

The driver takes a proper look at Talee and notices how pale she is. He regrets picking her up, worried something is a bit wrong with her. They drive on in silence for a bit. Talee is just staring out the window on her side.

DRIVER

You alright?

Talee remains looking out the window.

Talee

Yeah. Just hungry.

The driver leans across Talee. She flinches as he moves near her but she remains looking out the window on her side. He bangs open the glove compartment.

Driver

Peanuts.

Talee

Allergic. Thanks.

Driver

Suit yourself.

He looks at her for a moment, trying to figure her out.

Driver

Look luv, I’m not one of them pervs.

Talee remains fixed, expressionless, pale, turned towards the window, seeing nothing. As she opens her mouth we see her fangs are descended.

Talee

I know.

They drive on in silence.

INT. Van outside Station, Evening

Driver pulls the car in and comes to a stop.

Talee stays in the van.

The driver leans over pointing out the window to the entrance to Tottenham Court Road station

Driver

That’ll take you pretty much anywhere you need to go.

Talee looks down at the floor and takes a deep breath to compose herself.

Talee

Can I have some money?

DRIVER

Can you... Look, I ...

Talee

Please?

Driver

What you gonna spend it on!? Look at you! You’re a pretty little thing y’know? You could do better. And don’t think I’m a fool either - what are you gonna spend it on?

Talee

An internet cafe and something to eat.

Driver

Yeah? Look me in the face and say that.

Talee takes a couple of breaths. She raises her face to look straight at the man. He gets a shock as her face is now DEATHLY PALE.

Talee

An internet cafe and something to eat.

He takes out his wallet and throws a £10 note at her.

Driver

That’s all you’re getting. Get outta my van!

Talee gets out of the van.

DRIVER

(shouting after her)

You wanna sort yourself out girl.

INT. Central Line tunnel, Evening

Talee is walking in the tunnel. There are other people walking through headed for the train. Some are in a rush but others are not.

The people passing are just a sea of heartbeats to her.

She’s looking for someone to feed off - and somewhere she could take them.

Although she is deathly pale, her movements are still fluid and strong. And she is keeping her head down, a casual observer would not think there was anything the matter with her.

She’s following signs for the Lift, thinking she might be able to take someone there.

A large group of young men, clearly on a night out, are coming down the tunnel. They are moving a little chaotically, as some up front turn back to say or jeer things at some who are further back. It’s probably all in fun but some people, those who are travelling alone seem keen to move away from them.

A man they are walking past, comes to a stop and crouches down to retie his shoelaces. He looks tired and as if he’s heading home from work rather than being out on the town. He’s decided to let the group pass him by to avoid any potential trouble.

Talee has stopped by the passageway for the lift. It’s empty. She stays in the main tunnel by the passageway, searching through her pockets as if looking for something.

The tired worker is just a couple of feet from Talee. He waits till the group are fully out of sight before rising. Talee is watching him carefully out the corner of her eye.

The closest passengers are quite a ways back. They might even think Talee and this man are together.

The man stands up and takes a couple of steps forward. Talee quickly grabs him, pulling him into the passageway.

He tries to scream but she quickly clamps her hand over his mouth and he is no match for her strength. She shoves him back against a wall, never once looking him in the face. She sinks her teeth into his neck and drinks.

He faints.

Talee retracts her fang. She can see he’s breathing but the wound is still bleeding.

She desperately tries to figure out how to stop him from bleeding to death.

She punctures one of her fingers with her fangs and rubs the blood over the man’s wound.

The wound starts to heal.

She quickly licks off any traces of blood off his neck. She then shakes him to bring him around.

Talee

Are you OK?

The man comes to and looks at her, bleary eyed at first and then terrified.

Talee

Are you OK? You just fainted. I brought you here to recover. Do you need something?

Victim

N-no.

Talee

OK. Well, you’re welcome.

She gets up and leaves.