UN/DIVIDED ATTENTION

by Gregory A. Gould

Short Film
Email: [email protected]

Un/divided Attention


Written By

Gregory A. Gould


DECEMBER 2006
 GREGORY A. GOULD 2006
[email protected]
 
INT. BATHROOM        NIGHT

An open medicine cabinet. Cotton buds, polish remover, tampons, prescription MEDICATION BOTTLES . . .

The mirror door closes. DEB, a confident young woman, purses her lips in the reflection.  She applies some lipstick, prettying her self up, preparing for a hot date.

She . . . fixes her hair . . . powders her cheeks . . . lengthens her lashes . . . draws on some eye liner  . . . 

JUMPCUT:

She’s done, flicks her hair, smiles. Perfect. She blows a kiss to her reflection - gonna have a killer of a night.

INT. HALL         NIGHT

Keys, a purse and a yellow notepad next to a phone. Scrawled across the notepad: GEORGIO’s FRIDAY 7:00 DON’T BE LATE!!

DEB snatches up the keys and purse, heads for the door.  She stops, fixes the back of her heels, nearly stumbles.

She’s out the door.

EXT. BACKYARD        NIGHT

DEB scampers down back the steps, heads past the SHED DOOR, pauses. We see a LIGHT shining from within. 

DEB hesitates, takes a step closer, stops.  Suddenly she turns, hurries out the back gate.

INT. RESTAURANT       NIGHT

A cosy restaurant.  Rustic.  Candles. Romantic.

DEB sips a glass of wine. She sits alone at an intimate table. She checks her watch, frowns, looks to:

The door. No one but a MATRE'DE waiting for customers.

DEB fidgets nervously, checks her make up in the reflection of a silver spoon.

INSERT: DEB’s distorted reflection bends across the back of the spoon.

A WAITER arrives.

     WAITER
Would you like to order?

     DEB
  No. I’m waiting for someone.

The WAITER nods, leaves.

DEB takes another nervous sip of wine. When she looks back a figure is standing over her - the well-dressed and enigmatic JEREMY.

     JEREMY
  Really, Deb. A blind date? A
  little tacky isn’t it?

DEB scowls.

     DEB
  What are you doing here?

     JEREMY
    (indignant)
  Why, you invited me of course.

JEREMY produces the yellow reminder note, throws it on the table - GEORGIO’s FRIDAY 7:00 DON’T BE LATE!!

     JEREMY (CONT’D)
  Really.  Why else would I come to
  such a . . .
    (snobby)
  . . . cosy establishment.

DEB picks up the reminder note, crumples it in her fist.

     DEB
  This wasn’t meant for you.

JEREMY takes up a vacant seat, starts perusing a menu.

     DEB (CONT’D)
    (alarmed)
  What are you doing?


JEREMY
What?

     DEB
  You can’t stay.

     JEREMY
(off menu)
  Hmm, maybe I was little hasty in
judging this place.

DEB looks nervously to the door.

     DEB
  Jeremy, I don’t have time for games.

     JEREMY
  Nice appetisers . . .

     DEB
  I’m on a date!

     JEREMY
  Good wine selection . . .

     DEB
  Are you listening to me?

     JEREMY
  Always, dear. Oooh, caviar!

DEB’s hand snakes out and - BAM! - swats the menu out of JEREMY’s hand. The cutlery on the tables JANGLES from the bump.

A tense beat as DEB glares at JEREMY. JEREMY looks at her, unperturbed.

The WAITER returns. He regards DEB quizzically.

     WAITER
Everything ok, ma’am?

DEB turns. Every set of eyes in the place is squarely on her. She forces a smile, swallows.

     DEB
No. Er, yes. Everything’s fine.

The WAITER looks from DEB to JEREMY and back again, bemused. He lingers for a beat, then leaves shaking his head.

     JEREMY
  You’ve really got to relax, Deb.
You’re so up tight.

     DEB
    (mumbles)
  I wonder why?

     JEREMY
  What?

     DEB
  Nothing.

DEB takes a more than polite gulp of wine. JEREMY shakes his head, disapproving.

     JEREMY
  See that’s what I’m talking about.
  No wonder you have to resort to these
  measures to find a man. Look at yourself.
You’re an absolute mess. And those worry
lines can’t help either.

DEB’s hand strays protectively to her forehead.

     DEB
  What lines?

     JEREMY
    (rolls eyes)
  Please, denial is the fool’s
indulgence.
  (conspiritorily)
So, what do we know about tonight’s
Mr Mystery?

     DEB
  That’s none of your business.

     JEREMY
  Hmmm. Must be a dud then. What’s
he old? Ugly?

DEB scowls, won’t look at him.

     JEREMY (CONT’D)
  Broke?

     DEB
  Look, what do you want?

     JEREMY
  Hey, don’t get snippy. I’m here to help.

     DEB
  How?  By berating me with criticism?
  Good job.

     JEREMY
  It’s called honesty, Deb. And Believe
  me, it’s more than you’ll ever get
  from any Mystery Date.  You watch,
this guy’ll walk in here, look you in
the eye and say, ‘My, that’s a lovely
dress,’ and ‘Yes, I love Italian food.’
    (scoffs)
  He’ll be lying his arse off.
  
     DEB
  Yeah, well, I’ll take my chances.

     JEREMY
    (smirks)
  You’ll take whatever you can get.
Come on, how long has it been now? 
Five? Six months? Not since that cop
right?  And the mechanic before that?
What was his name? Steve? Stan?

DEB struggles to hold in her anger.

     DEB
  You have to go.

     JEREMY (CONT’D)
  I’m just saying … this guy won’t be any
  different.

     DEB
    (simmering)
  Now.

A tense beat.  JEREMY sighs, rolls his eyes.

     JEREMY
  Fine.
    (stands up)
  But you know where I’ll be when you
need me to clean up another Deb
induced mess.

JEREMY walks away. DEB scowls, watching him glide through the restaurant. He disappears out the door just as KEVIN, a clean cut, handsome man, enters.

KEVIN speaks to the MATRE’DE and is pointed towards DEB’s table. He looks up, sees her, smiles.  He starts on his way over.

Relief washes over DEB.  Jeremy melts from her mind.

EXT. FRONT DOOR       NIGHT

Keys jangle in the lock.  DEB pushes the door open, turns to KEVIN.

     DEB
  Thanks for a great night.

     KEVIN
  Thank you. I had a great time.

DEB shifts shyly in the doorway.

     DEB
  Do you wanna . . . come in? Have a
  drink?

     KEVIN
  Sure.

INT. LOUNGE        NIGHT

DEB flicks the lights on, guides KEVIN onto the couch.

     DEB
  Beer ok?

     KEVIN
  Sounds good.

DEB sways into the kitchen. KEVIN gives his breath a quick test, checks his underarm odour.  He eases back on the couch, feeling confident of a long night ahead.

INT. KITCHEN        NIGHT

A dark kitchen. DEB goes to the fridge, opens it, frowns into the glaring light.  Behind her we see JEREMY sitting nonchalantly on the kitchen bench, a beer in hand.

     DEB
  Sorry. Must be out of beer. Wine ok?

     KEVIN (O.O.V)
  Sure. No probs.

DEB pulls out a bottle of wine, closes the fridge.  She turns, almost has a heart attack when she sees JEREMY smiling at her.

     DEB
  Jesus!
    (hissed whisper)
  What the hell are you doing here?

JEREMY taps his temple, grins.
     
JEREMY
  I live here, remember?

DEB goes to the sink, snatches up a pair of wineglasses. She starts pouring.

     DEB
  No tonight you don’t. I’ve got company.

     JEREMY
    (winks mischievously)
  I know.

DEB turns on him, serious.

     DEB
  I mean it, Jeremy. Not tonight! I
actually like this guy.
  (beat)
And I think he likes me.

 

     JEREMY
  Really?
    (jumps off the bench)
  Then perhaps I should introduce --

DEB grabs his arm, alarmed.

     DEB
  No!

JEREMY looks down at DEB’s hand.  His face hardens, his cool demeanour lost for a moment.

     KEVIN (O.O.V)
  Everything alright?

     DEB
  Yeah . . .
    (eyes JEREMY defiantly)
everything’s fine.

DEB lets JEREMY’s arm go.

     DEB
    (to JEREMY)
  I don’t want to see you tonight. Ok?
Let it go.

DEB grabs the wineglasses, heads into lounge. JEREMY watches her go, not happy.

INT. LOUNGE        NIGHT

DEB hands KEVIN a wine, plops down on the couch.

     DEB
  Sorry. Thought I had some beer around
  somewhere.

     KEVIN
  It’s no trouble.

They both take a sip. KEVIN puts his glass on a coffee table, slides a little closer.

     KEVIN
  You know, I wasn’t quite sure about
  this whole blind date thing.

     DEB
  Yeah?
  
     KEVIN
  Yeah. I was worried I wouldn’t find
  the kind of girl I was looking for.
  You know?

     DEB
    (smiles)
  And what about now? Still worried?

KEVIN’s hand moves to DEB’s leg.

     KEVIN
Now I’m starting to think this aint’
too bad at all.

KEVIN leans in to make a move.

SFX: A RATTLE of cutlery JANGLES in the kitchen.

DEB turns toward the noise. KEVIN pulls up short.

     KEVIN
  What’s up?

DEB listens. Nothing. She shakes the noise off, forces a smile.
    
     DEB
  Nothing.

KEVIN leans in again. They KISS.

SFX: another RATTLE.

DEB pulls back.

     KEVIN
  What?
 
     DEB
  I though I heard something.

KEVIN listens.  Nothing.

     KEVIN
I don’t hear a thing.

He moves in to resume the action. DEB springs to her feet, agitated.

     DEB
  Hang on a sec. I’ll … er … I’ll
  be right back.

She ducks into the kitchen. KEVIN watches her go, bemused. He gives his under arm another whiff, shrugs.

INT. KITCHEN        NIGHT

JEREMY stands over the open cutlery drawer, hand inside, rattling away. DEB storms in.

     DEB
    (piercing whisper)
  What are you doing!

     JERMEY
  I can’t seem to find a knife.

     DEB
  What for?!

JEREMY ignores her, rattles around some more. DEB steps forward, grabs the drawer handle and tries to close it. JEREMY’s grip is too strong though.  He won’t let her.

     JEREMY
  Bit nervous, Deb? Don’t worry. It’s
like riding a bike. You never really
forget.

     DEB
  Stop it.

She tries to shove the drawer again. JEREMY’s hand doesn’t budge.

     DEB (CONT’D)
  Don’t.

     JEREMY
    (amused)
  Don’t what?


     DEB
  Let it go.

BOTH HANDS ON THE DRAWER HANDLE. DEB struggles hard, pushing hard. JEREMY appears almost passive, easily resistant.

     DEB (CONT’D)
  Stop it.

     JEREMY
  You know he’s no different from the
others, Deb. Why are you even bothering?

JEREMY won’t let up.  DEB gets more desperate with each passing second. Tense.

     DEB (CONT’D)
  Let it go!

     JEREMY
  You know I’m right. But you want to
be used, don’t you.  You want to be
wanted, even if it’s just for a night.

     DEB
  Stop! It!

The cutlery drawer shakes and rattles. DEB blinks – like she can’t see straight. Like she’s starting to unravel.

     JEREMY
    (chuckles)
  Why?

     DEB
  Jeremy, please!

JEREMY smiles wickedly, delighting in his torment.

     JEREMY
  You can’t fight it, Deb. You’re a lady. 
They can’t treat you this way. You can’t
let them. You have to show them.

DEB – desperate, verging on frantic. Cutlery rattles.    
 DEB
  Stop it! Let it go!

     JEREMY
  Let go of what?

DEB shakes her head.  Confused.

     DEB
  Let it go! Let it go!

     JEREMY
    (chuckles)
  I’m not doing anything, Deb. It’s all
you.

JEREMY nods to the drawer. DEB shakes her head – he’s lying. Has to be!

She looks down at the DRAWER HANDLE - HERS IS THE ONLY HAND ON IT – SHE’S STRUGGLING AGAINST HERSELF!!

She turns to JEREMY. He’s gone. Vanished.
     
DEB jumps back in fright, pulling the drawer out. A SHOWER OF CUTLERY – knives, forks, spoons – rain down on the floor. The CLATTER is deafening.

Then silence . . .

DEB closes her eyes, breathes hard, tries to regain control, concentrating – in … out … in … out.

Beat.

The lights flicks on.  KEVIN is at the door. 

     KEVIN
  Are you ok?

DEB’s eyes crack open, dart around, find only KEVIN in the room with her.

DEB
  Yeah. I . . . er . . .

     KEVIN
  What’s going on?

DEB tries to re-focus.


     DEB
There was a … a … spider … in
  the drawer.
    (forced chuckle)
Scared the shit out of me.

KEVIN, not quite sure.

     KEVIN
  Here, let me help.

He bends down, starts gathering up the loose cutlery.  DEB’s eyes search the room, worried.

     KEVIN
  Must have been one hell of a spider.

     DEB
  What?

     KEVIN
  For you to need that thing.

DEB looks down. In her hand is a large KNIFE. She’s shocked. How did that get there!

JEREMY melts out from behind the kitchen door, right behind KEVIN. He smiles, pure evil.

     JEREMY
  Do it, Deb.  Show him.

DEB’s eyes widen: alarm/fear.  KEVIN hasn’t heard a thing. He stands up, puts the drawer back in place.

     KEVIN
  You’re sure you’re ok?

DEB forces a smile, obviously not o.k. KEVIN steps forward, puts a hand on DEB’s side. DEB looks at the hand.

     KEVIN (CONT’D)
  You look a little rattled.

     DEB
  I’m fine.  Really.

KEVIN smiles. He puts a hand on DEB’s cheek.

     KEVIN
  Good. Cause I’ve got big plans for tonight. 

He leans in, kisses DEB’s neck. DEB stiffens.

     JEREMY
    (haunting)
  What are you waiting for, Deb. Do it.

     DEB
    (to JEREMY)
  No.

     KEVIN
  What?

DEB blinks, confused, divided.

     DEB
  Don’t.

     KEVIN
  Don’t what?

     JEREMY
    (mocking)
  Like he doesn’t know.

DEB steps away.

     DEB
  Just don’t.

KEVIN
  But I -

DEB
No.

     KEVIN
  I thought . . . I thought this was what
you wanted.

KEVIN goes to touch DEB but she pulls away, fast.  KEVIN scowls, annoyed.
 

     KEVIN
  Look, you invited me back here. You
made it quite clear . . .

     JEREMY
  Told you. No different from the rest.

     DEB
  I think you’d better go.

     KEVIN
  Go?

DEB
  Yeah. Just go.

KEVIN’s cool façade drops.

     KEVIN
  And what if I don’t want to?

DEB frowns. She doesn’t need this just now.

     DEB
  Look, I’m sorry but-

     KEVIN
  What? You think you can just lead a
guy on like? Like some sick little
tease?

KEVIN grabs DEB arm. She looks down at his hand. Her face hardens.

     DEB
  Let. Go.

     KEVIN
    (threatening)
  No.  I don’t think so.  No more games.

JEREMY smiles expectantly.

     DEB
  Let go.

KEVIN pulls DEB in close, rough.

     KEVIN
Not before we have a little fun tonight.

A change sweeps over DEB’s face. She’s suddenly cool, calm. 

     DEB
So, you want to have some fun?

DEB leans in, gives KEVIN a vicious kiss. KEVIN’s stunned.

     KEVIN
  What are you some sort of freak?

JEREMY and DEB share a wicked smile over KEVIN’s shoulder.

     DEB
  Not a freak. A lady.

DEB’s grasp tightens around the knife’s handle. She moves on KEVIN.

KEVIN’s eyes – wide open with fear.

Blackness.

EXT. BACKYARD        NIGHT

DEB and JEREMY carry KEVIN’s BODY out the back door, down the steps, to the SHED DOOR . . .

INT. SHED         NIGHT

A small room filled with boxes and junk.  A sheet hangs over the window.

DEB and JEREMY slump KEVIN down between TWO OTHER BODIES (one dressed like a cop, the other in mechanics overalls). They regard the bodies for a beat.

     JEREMY
  It’s been a long night. How ‘bout I
run you a bath?

     DEB
  You’ve read my mind.

JEREMY puts an arm around her, guides her out the door.

 
EXT. BACKYARD        NIGHT

DEB exits the shed ALONE. She locks the door behind her, heads into the house.

The porch light switches off.

We’re left with only the LIGHT shining under the SHED DOOR.

ENDS.
     

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