Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Leaving (script)

This mini script is another one that I wrote a while ago. It experiments with showing actions and parentheticals through dialog (although not all of them).

Enjoy,
- Reece


FADE IN:


INT. DAVID'S WORK - OFFICE - EVENING


DAVID is hard at work.


MICHELLE approaches him.


MICHELLE

Last one to leave again, huh?


DAVID

Yeah.


MICHELLE

Look... I don't mean to pry, but you're working
yourself too hard. You need to relax, enjoy
yourself.


DAVID

I guess.


MICHELLE

When was the last time you and Jessica went out?


DAVID

I don't know.


MICHELLE

(touching his shoulder)

Exactly. So take her out for a meal. She's your
wife for God's sake.


Michelle turns to leave.


MICHELLE (CONT'D)

Trust me on this. Ask her.


He pauses, looking back at the empty office, before turning off the
light.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - EVENING


DAVID comes home to JESSICA, his beautiful wife. He kisses her on the
cheek.


JESSICA

Where have you been?


DAVID

At work... you know how much this means to me.


JESSICA

I made us dinner.


DAVID

Great! I'm starving.


JESSICA

You were late, so I threw it out!


DAVID

Fine, I'll get something myself.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - STUDY - EVENING


DAVID settles down amongst piles of paper work.


JESSICA is standing in the doorway.


JESSICA

Goodnight.


DAVID

(absorbed in his work)

Night. I'll be right up.


JESSICA

Sure.


Jessica turns and heads upstairs.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - STUDY - NIGHT


DAVID is still at work -- it is now past midnight.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - NIGHT


JESSICA is fast asleep, her arm around David's side of the bed -- it
is empty.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - KITCHEN - MORNING


DAVID and JESSICA have an argument while making breakfast. JESSICA
storms off.


INT. DAVID'S HOUSE - BEDROOM - MORNING


There are empty suitcases, some clothes and personal items of Jessica's
scattered across the bed. JESSICA is searching the room for her personal
things, placing them on the bed.


DAVID enters.


DAVID

So that's it, you're leaving!


JESSICA

Like you care!


DAVID

Jessie, please...


JESSICA

Please what?!


DAVID

I don't want you to leave.


Jessica stops what she is doing and turns to David.


JESSICA

Since when did you give a damn about me?


DAVID

Since forever: I've always been there for you --
you know that, right?


JESSICA

I... I don't know anymore.


DAVID

What's that supposed to mean?


JESSICA

We've drifted apart. Ever since you got that
job, you've been distant, wrapped up in the work.


Jessica resumes her packing.


JESSICA (CONT'D)

I can't take it anymore.


DAVID

We can work this out.


JESSICA

It's too late for that, now!


DAVID

It's never too late; look, I... I don't want to
loose you.


JESSICA

You should have though about that before -- can
you pass me that blouse -- before you put work
first.


DAVID

This is not a good time to talk about this,
Jessica. Here, have your damn blouse!


JESSICA

It's always the wrong time.

(sighs)

What happened to us?


DAVID

I... I don't know.


JESSICA

We used to be so happy.


DAVID

I just... I... I want this to work. I want _us_
to work.


JESSICA

Great! _Now_ is the time you choose to care!


DAVID

I've always cared. I'm sorry if you feel like my
work has gotten in the way of our relationship,
but I like what I do and I want to support you,
take care of you. Where do you think that
necklace came from?


JESSICA

You want it back? Fine!


DAVID

No... no... that's not what I mean. It's yours,
so keep it.


JESSICA

What do you mean? Are you implying that I can't
take care of myself?


DAVID

I...


JESSICA

That is so typical!


DAVID

Wait! That's not what I'm saying. You are a
strong, beautiful woman. I have no doubts that
you could take care of yourself. But do you
want that life? To struggle to make money when
you could have that here?


JESSICA

But I need more! The money is great, don't get
me wrong, but money isn't everything. I want to
be loved. I want to curl up in your arms when
things are too much to handle. I want you to be
here for me, but you are too caught up in your
work to even notice I'm here!


Jessica closes her suitcase, then storms over to the door. She pauses
at the doorway, turning towards David.


JESSICA (CONT'D)

I hope you find what you want.


DAVID

I want you!


JESSICA

No. You don't. If you did, we wouldn't be in
this mess.


Jessica exits.


David collapses on the bed.


FADE OUT.

No comments: