Act One - Macbeth Modernised – The Script By Alessandro Cowley, Stephen, Jordan, Brenton and Rehan Start Act One Start Scene 1:
Skyscraper scene, then we start off in the boardroom, with four people. Financial Analyst 1 – We need you to tell Duncan, about the current situation of the company, Macbeth
Macbeth – What do you wish me to advise him on? Financial Analyst 2 – The company is going down...The finances are in the red Macbeth – What do you mean? Financial Analyst 3 – The economic crisis, it's affected all the stocks and the stockholders are selling, were going down Macbeth, and were going down at a rapid rate… Macbeth – What can we do about this? Financial Analyst 2 – Duncan told us to speak with you Macbeth, because we need to find the source of our money loss Macbeth – Are you saying what I think your saying? Financial Analyst 1 – We can't read your mind, can we? But money is definitely leaking out, and we need you to investigate how it's happening Macbeth – Where do you think I should start looking?
Financial Analyst 1 – If we knew that, we wouldn't be here...
Macbeth rolls his eyes, and leads the Financial Analyst to the door. End Scene One.
Start Scene Two.
Macbeth calls up Banquo and tells him they need to speak urgently and that they should meet up at company headquarters Banquo – What is it that you wanted to speak to me about so urgently? Macbeth – There seems to be a leak in the finances of the company... Banquo – Are you serious, what sector? Macbeth – Yeah totally, we got to fix it man, we don’t know what sector Banquo – How though? Macbeth – That's why I called you mate, we need to fix this problem before it takes us down Banquo – Right, so where should we start looking for? Macbeth – I dunno man, maybe we should check out the revenue statements?
Banquo – Hey actually, you know what? That's a pretty good idea. Macbeth – So let’s go down the archives?
Banquo – Yeah, but whoever did this, would have covered it up Macbeth – Yeah that’s probably the case, we'll need to do a full manual Banquo – Yep One by one.
Macbeth and Banquo start searching through the documents Banquo – Hey here's one from 19th January Macbeth – Nah man, that's way too early, we were all good back then Banquo – Oh right, what do you think the time period we should be focusing on?
Macbeth – Umm, maybe we started to lose a lot of profits around late June, early July perhaps? Banquo – Oi, I think I found one that fits? Macbeth – Let me have a look at it? Banquo – Hey, Macbeth, I think it's a match Macbeth – With who again? Banquo – Umm Judas? Macbeth – Banquo, you're joking right? Banquo – What! Do I look like I'm joking? Macbeth – Say swear your serious Banquo – I swear already Macbeth
Macbeth – Show it to me then (Banquo passes the balance sheet to Macbeth)
Macbeth examines it, cross examines it, drops it on the floor in shock Macbeth – Oh my God...It's a match, the company lost finances right about the time, these discrepancies took place with Judas
Macbeth wanders off from Banquo, gets on the phone to the department of fair trading Macbeth – I really need to speak to your investigator right now gets a reply Macbeth – Do you actually think I care what your policy says? We need a god damn investigator now! Gets a reply Macbeth – You guys have no sense of customer service, this is urgent, don't you people understand that? Gets a reply Macbeth – Ok thank you, so he'll be here in half an hour? End Scene 2 Start Scene 3 Fraud Investigator - What was it that was so urgent for the love of God!
Macbeth – I need you to have a look at this revenue statement Fraud Investigator – What for? Macbeth – I think someone is cheating our company, but I’m not 100% sure
Fraud Investigator – Umm okay, I’ll take a look
After investigating and examining carefully, the fraud investigator realises that Macbeth is right, the company has been cheated Fraud Investigator – My word…Your right Macbeth, this person has
taken away a lot of money…In the tens of millions, what branch is this? Macbeth – It’s our computing sector… Fraud Investigator – Who runs the computing sector Macbeth – He’s a great friend of Duncan, his name is Judas. Fraud Investigator – We need to hunt him down, quick smart; before he realises that were onto him Macbeth - What’s the next step? Fraud Investigator – We must inform Duncan of course Macbeth – So what has Judas done? How did he get away with this? Fraud Investigator – Well according from this revenue statement, I can only make assumptions, I’m guessing that Duncan gave money to Judas to grow the sector and company, but Judas used the money for his own personal ambition, I think Judas decided he’ll pocket the money and
manipulate the balance sheets to make it look like profit was coming into
the sector Macbeth – How do we get the money back? Fraud Investigator – I’ll have to speak to Duncan first off End Scene 3 Start Scene 4
Duncan is in his office, when he receives a telephone call from the fraud investigator Duncan – Hello, Duncan speaking Fraud Investigator replies Duncan –That’s excellent, you’ve caught the culprit! Who was this man? Fraud Investigator replies
Duncan’s face falls…he is speechless for a while Duncan – What! For his sake I hope your lying, because if your telling the truth…I’m going to march into hell my self and hunt him down! How could he do this! Where is he? Fraud Investigator replies Duncan – No, don’t notify the police! I want this rawhead extra freaking crispy! Fraud Investigator replies – Duncan – So it was Macbeth who realised it was Judas? Ah…Thankyou good sir, I very much appreciate you telling me.
In shock, Duncan runs his fingers through his hair, he gets off the chair walks around, panting and fuming. Duncan – We need to get him…I have to call Macbeth and get Judas caught
Duncan calls Macbeth Macbeth – Macbeth’s phone, Macbeth speaking… Duncan replies Macbeth – Absolutely sir! We’ll hunt him down, and yes…We’ll bring him straight to you……Alive? Yeah sure. You can count on us boss! Banquo - What was all that about? Macbeth – My friend, were going to hunt down Judas Banquo - Well, this is going to be a fun ride. Macbeth –This is not a funny matter, the future fate of the company rests in finding him Banquo, come on…Be serious for once in your life End Scene 4 Start Scene 5
Macbeth and Banquo intercept and locate a number of phone calls, they trace Judas at the airport Macbeth – He’s at the airport Banquo Banquo – Were too far away, we will never reach there in time
Macbeth – True, we’ll just call Duncan and tell him we’ve located him. Banquo – Yep sounds good
Macbeth calls Duncan Duncan – You’ve found him? He’s at the airport you say? Absolutely! I’ll
send Ross around immediately, we’ll get the whole crew down there, were not going to let him escape Macbeth – Right, that’s good boss. Need anything, just give me a ring End Scene 5 Start Scene 6
At the airport Ross – There he is! I see him! We cannot let him escape!
They charge towards Judas, who notices them and starts running Ross – Divide up, he can’t got that far in this place Guard 1 – I see him, third corridor, to the left, lets corner him out Ross – I got a visual on him, on my count son. One…Two…GO Guard - On the floor now! Put your hands behind your back, your coming with us buddy
Ross – I’m going to call Duncan, tell him we got our man
Ross calls Duncan
Duncan - Wonderful news! Bring him over here, I’ll send you the
address via GPS, it’s a secret location, I’ll have Macbeth and Banquo come around to the location as well
Duncan, walks up smirks and runs his fingers threw his hair, sits down and calls Macbeth Macbeth – Yep I got the location, it’s on the tracker, it’s actually not too far from where we are boss, we’ll be there in 30. End Scene 6 Start Scene 7 Macbeth – We’ll walk it, honestly it’s not that far Banquo – Yeah alright Macbeth – Is it just me, or is that guy at 4 o’clock starring me right in the eye?
Banquo turns around Macbeth – You idiot! Don’t look!
The man approaches Macbeth and Banquo, Macbeth immediately recognises him Macbeth – Ah, hello there good sir! Financial Analyst – Pleased to meet you again, Macbeth and… Banquo – Banquo (smiles and greets him) Macbeth – I got some wonderful news! We have managed to fix the
problem, we hunted down the traitor, It was Judas, the head of the computing sector
Financial Analyst – Judas? Duncan and Judas have been friends for over thirty years now! Macbeth – I know, I mean…How could a man who Duncan trusted so much backstab us…
Financial Analyst – Duncan is an idiot! It was his fault in the first place for trusting Judas! Now the fate of the company is going to suffer because of Duncan’s stupid decision
Banquo - Treason! How dare you talk bad about Duncan? Macbeth – What are you trying to imply here? Financial Analyst - I’m trying to say to you, that the company will not survive the economic turmoil with Duncan leading it. The Company is
going down, it’s going down quickly, Duncan’s leadership is useless. It’s like watching a time bomb tick away and your helpless. Macbeth – I’m confused? Financial Analyst – What I’m saying is this; the only way of not going
bankrupt and surviving the economic turmoil is new leadership, Macbeth, you are the only one who can save this company, and the only way in which you can do it is by taking over the position from Duncan.
Macbeth looks dazzled and puts on a stoner/lost look Financial Analyst – Listen to me Macbeth, Judas has been caught and is done over now, but I think you’re going to be the one that will take
over his position, but even if that is so, you will be much better off as leader of the company, that’s where you belong, when you’re the boss,
the company will grow, the company will not survive the current economic crisis without you leading it
Awkward silence, Macbeth and Banquo exchange glares, before the Financial Analyst smirks and walks back Macbeth – Alright then…That was weird Banquo – Yeah it sure was Macbeth – How about this…We agree that we shall never bring this up again
Banquo – Deal
Nod’s heads at each other Banquo – So how much further do we got Macbeth? Macbeth – Oh actually we should be right here Banquo – Are you sure about that man? It seriously looks like were in the middle of no where
GPS beeps Macbeth – Did you hear that? Were closing in on the location, about 100m away from it
Banquo – (points out) Look Macbeth! Over there!
(Duncan speaking to Judas) Duncan - You know what? I’m not going to kill you. I think slow torture’s the way to go
Duncan looks around and sees Banquo and Macbeth, smiles and walks towards them Duncan walks out from a subdued hut, the gates are slowly opening and Duncan welcomes them (Duncan speaking to Duncan – Glad you could make it…What took you so long? Macbeth – We got held up boss Duncan – Ah very, shall we? Macbeth – Shall we what?
Duncan moves a little, uncovering Judas kneeling on the floor with rosary beads in his hands Duncan – Here is the traitor…Let us mark him with a lesson he will never forget!
Duncan signals a guard, and he draws a gun with a silencer on it Duncan- The honour is yours Macbeth, guard pass Macbeth the gun
The guard gives Macbeth the gun Silent music, as Macbeth takes the gun and walks towards Judas, Our Father in the background as Macbeth pulls the revolver at the back of Judas’ head Macbeth shaking and taken over by shock dubs the Colt SS on the floor and takes a few steps back
End Scene 7 Start Scene 8 Duncan – He was my good friend…But what he has lost, Macbeth has
gained, I announce to all here present, the new senior company executive and the new leader of the computing sector – Macbeth! Macbeth – Thanks boss. Duncan – Now to announce the heir to the company, my son; Malcolm!
Malcolm smiles, but does not speak. Macbeth’s eyes light up, he is furious, angry and raging like a bull, he wants to be company executive, but he wants to be boss more than that, Macbeth now only realises what the Financial Analysts were saying. End Scene 8 Start Scene 9
That night, Macbeth is in a horrid state, he feels hard done by and blames the financial analysts for making his hopes high, Lady Macbeth sees how bad Macbeth is, she sees that he is not happy, and something is on his mind. Lady Macbeth demands to know, so Macbeth tells her everything Lady Macbeth – What’s wrong my love? What has happened? Macbeth – Really I don’t want to talk about it, please don’t pursue me Lady Macbeth – You’re my husband! I’m going to pursue you until you tell me exactly everything that’s on your mind, don’t leave out a detail
Macbeth – This day has changed me forever, I am no longer the same
man I was when I walked out of this house in the morning, I’m changed. Lady Macbeth – So tell me about it… Macbeth – We found out Judas was a traitor Lady Macbeth – Gosh, what did he do? Macbeth – He stole tens of millions of dollars from the company Lady Macbeth – My word, how? Macbeth – Let’s not get into that now my love, but what I’m about to say to you now…Its words that will echo threw your ears for the rest of your life
Lady Macbeth – Well lets hear it then… Macbeth – There’s a bullet lodge somewhere in Judas’ brain, I’m the man responsible for putting it there Lady Macbeth – What? I can’t believe this. Is this some type of joke? Macbeth – I did it because I thought with him gone I will own the company
Lady Macbeth – That’s a stupid idea! How did you even think that? Macbeth – The financial analyst’s told me that the company is going down the drain, the figures are all in the red; because of Duncan and his stupid mistakes, they think I am far more superior and much more
equipped to handle the economic turmoil and get some green on the stock market for the company
Lady Macbeth – They think you can own the company? Macbeth – yes they do Lady Macbeth – Oh Macbeth, what you have done is unforgivable, but
there right! I truly believe you can own the company and take it to heights no one could have ever dreamed off Macbeth – How though? Lady Macbeth – We have to get rid of Duncan Macbeth - What nonsense…He’s a terrific leader, but of course like everyone; he has skeletons in his closet
Lady Macbeth – I dream of a day when I can wake up on a beach in Hawaii, looking at the golden sunset, and the only think standing in our way of a beautiful life is your horrid boss, Duncan, if he’s out of the picture, we can live our lives in richness and happiness! Macbeth - I don’t know about this…Duncan has been nothing but nice to me
Lady Macbeth - Very well, I shall kindy ask you to dismiss me, I am going to retire to slumber Macbeth – Very well, I shall join you shortly
Lady Macbeth goes to a room and starts sleeping, she tosses and turns, having visions and dreams; she hears voices which say “Macbeth is soft, he’ll never do it”, “Take one for the team”. Her head facing the pillow, Lady Macbeth gets up gasping, taking in what he heard in the dream, looks up and sees the light still on in the other rooms, goes in and sees Macbeth.
Lady Macbeth – I thought you said you were coming to bed shortly Macbeth – I was, it’s just that I got a phone call from Duncan, anyway you look like a mess who were you dreaming about? Angelina Jolie?
Lady Macbeth – Hah, No try Brad Pitt, anyway what did Duncan say? Macbeth – He wants to meet you, he’s coming over tomorrow night to stay at our house, it is a honour
Lady Macbeth – Tomorrow night you say? Then that’s our chance Macbeth! Our chance to get rid of Duncan! Macbeth - I’m not going to do this…I will not do it Lady Macbeth - Won’t you do anything to get to the top? Macbeth – I want to get to the top, yes; but no I don’t see my ambition being justified by the death of a man
Lady Macbeth – Can’t you see it as an opportunity? It’s fate! Why else would Duncan want to come here, anyway you’ve already killed a man, how difficult can it be to kill another?
Macbeth – This is enough! No means No! were going to greet Duncan, have dinner with him, treat him like a royal guest and then we will retire
to our beds. Nothing more, nothing less. Do I made myself clear? Duncan has only been nice to me, he’s been a good mentor and friend Lady Macbeth – Don’t you want to own the company? Don’t you want to be your own boss?
Macbeth – Not at the price of Duncan, he’s been a wonderful leader and a great friend, I refuse and I will not do this to him, do you hear me for
the last time? Lady Macbeth – Yes, I hear you loud and clear (rolls her eyes) Macbeth – Good, I trust you understand that I never want you to bring this up again, and if you do, End Scene 9
Start Scene 10
The next evening, Lady Macbeth greeted Duncan more thoroughly than if he had been running for congress, she shook his had, smiled and gave him a hug, but the smirk could never have been wiped off her face. Lady Macbeth goes into the kitchen for a while, as Duncan, Macbeth and the others are seated around the dining table waiting for dinner.
Duncan Walking up the stairs, greeted by Lady Macbeth Lady Macbeth – Good evening Duncan! It’s great to finally meet you! I feel I know you so well! Macbeth never stops talking about you
Duncan – Ah well, he never shuts up about you either My Lady, you look stunning this evening Lady Macbeth – It’s an honour to have you here tonight with us, please; do come in
Duncan and Malcolm sit down at the table, while Macbeth follows Lady Macbeth into the kitchen, impressed with her good behaviour Macbeth – Ah, why can’t you be like this all the time dear!
Lady Macbeth looks him in the eye, Macbeth realises she still wants him to kill Duncan, he storms out of the kitchen and the dining room, upstairs to his room Duncan – Where is he going? Is everything okay? Lady Macbeth - Yes, absolutely, he’s just a little sick in the stomach Duncan – Ha, your cooking is that bad is it? Lady Macbeth – Shut up you! (smiles), let me go up and speak with him End Scene 10
Start Scene 11
Macbeth is in a chaotic state, his hands are shaking, his fingers are running threw his hair, he doesn’t know what to do, all he is thinking about is slowly rafting away, he can’t process thoughts at all He walks over to the mirror and starts talking to himself, evaluating the pros and cons of Killing Duncan Macbeth – Oh why must I kill him, he’s such a nice man, yes I have tasted blood before, but I cannot kill a friend who has done so much for
me, I can’t believe my wife asks for this, I am boxed in, Duncan is such a good king, he has done so much for us and has raised the company up
from the brink of destruction so many times, he hasn’t done one thing to me evil. Only I can benefit from killing such a man, only I… I’m sure that I will always be, A lonely number like root three, The three is all that’s good and right, Why must my three keep out of sight, Beneath
the vicious square root sign, I wish instead I were a nine. For nine could
thwart this evil trick,
with just some quick arithmetic, I know I’ll never see the sun, as 1.7321 Such is my reality, a sad irrationality.
Enter Lady Macbeth When hark! What is this I see, Another square root of a three, As quietly co-waltzing by,
Together now we multiply, To form a number we prefer, Rejoicing as an integer
We break free from our mortal bonds With the wave of magic wands, Our square root signs become unglued, For the love for me has been renewed. My dear, my hearts tells me no, my hearts is crying out to me, that no; I
shouldn’t do it, but my mind is giving me mixed feelings…I am going to follow my heart, I will not kill Duncan, I will not kill my own siege. Lady Macbeth – What! But screw your courage to the sticking place,
you’re a coward, your not a brave man, I have guts, you don’t, I am twice the man you will ever be shame on you Macbeth, you should cut your
emotions, it us, our future, maybe one day our children’s future, we must get rid of Duncan for our future to prosper, the mark to which a soldier
screwed up the cord of a crossbow is evident in you, your not a real man, you have no courage what so ever Macbeth, the man I married would never have done this, you have changed.
Macbeth - I haven’t changed, you have…-(gets cut off) Lady Macbeth – But yet, was a murderer when I married you? NO, were you a murderer when you married me? No. Are you a murderer now? Yes. That tells you something doesn’t it? You’ve changed, not me
Macbeth – That’s completely different, I can’t believe your playing this card on me…
Lady Macbeth - tighten up your courage until it is fixed in the place necessary for the murder of Duncan. Now before you start talking again there's something I want u to say to me one more time Macbeth – What is it? Lady Macbeth – Are you a man? Macbeth - I am! Lady Macbeth – Then go kill Macbeth… Macbeth – FINE! I’ll do it…I’ll do it…Okay? I’ll do it for the love of God
Macbeth finally agrees to kill Duncan, after lady Macbeth convinces him. End Scene 11 End Act One.