(When dreams and reality clash)

Written By
La-Tonia Denise Willis
©2007. All Rights Reserved.

La-Tonia Denise Willis

Chaos Theory Media Productions
Creative Multimedia Artist Group
filmmaker@darkmatter-indiefilm.com
latonw@msn.com
www.darkmatter-indiefilm.com
206-217-4821/206-312-2497
FADE IN:

EXT. SEATTLE – SHOT OF SPACE NEEDLE - DAY – ESTABLISHING

(FALL)

EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD – DAY

Fallen leaves. PAN the many apartment complexes. ZOOM IN on

the WHITE BUILDING.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – DAY

Bed in disarray. Mountaintop of DIRTY CLOTHES on floor.

PAN the walls full of MOVIE POSTERS and AWARDS and an array
of BOOKS. Semi-cluttered space. COMPUTER MONITOR shows
internet search and web pages on agoraphobia.

CLASSICAL MUSIC in the background.

RHONDA (O.S.)
(on phone)
They say the translation from the Greek means
"fear of the marketplace". All I know is it's
been five years since I stepped out of the light
into the shadows. This is my life now. My
existence. My apartment. Each day I try. I really
do try. I think about the day before. How I plan
on making it to the door slowly . . . very slowly
. . . that it's easy and painless and . . . has
to be done. I go through it in my mind. I take
small little baby steps and I push myself to keep
going to keep heading in that direction. But
every time, I stop . . . Back to the beginning
. . . Back to the, (laughs) "fear of the
marketplace" . . .

WE MOVE OVER TO the mirror but SHE remains off-screen.

RHONDA (CONT’D, O.S.)

(on phone)
Sometimes I look in the mirror . . . this little
African reindeer mirror that my ex bought at half
price and lied about because he wanted me to
think he spent more than he could afford. Why do
men do that? Pretend like something’s one way
when you know it’s the other? Anyway, I look in
the mirror but my reflection is gone or maybe it
was never there in the first place. It makes me
wonder just how long I’ve been pretending . . .

2
Meet RHONDA. Disheveled, unkempt, hair all over the place
pacing back and forth erratically in a dark nightgown.

THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR OPENS

A JUG OF WATER taken out, cap removed. Pause. Cap placed

back on and the refrigerator door is closed.

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone)
I’m not really thirsty. I need to open the door.
But it’s what’s behind the door that frightens
me, that scares the hell out of me more like it.
I think about my nightmares . . . about the man
in my nightmares who likes it when I’m afraid. I
keep seeing his face. The man in black. He’s like
two people rolled up into one. He has a pleasant
face on the outside and a nice smile like
somebody’s eccentric uncle who would buy you ice
cream on a hot summer day. But he reminds me of
those militant Black men in the 70’s who could
talk shit on one hand and love you a long time on
the other. And every time I open the door, I keep
hearing his voice, his sweet terrible voice . . .

WE MOVE toward the APARTMENT DOOR. The door handle is

turned, slightly opening the door ajar. SOUNDS. A FORCE
pushes itself inside and the DOOR FLYS OPEN but no one is
there.

She SLAMS the door. Panic!

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone)
Something was out there! I know something was out
there! . . . Why does it keep bothering me all
the time? Maybe it’s all in my mind. Yeah. Maybe.

There is a KNOCK on the door and Rhonda hesitates at first

but moves closer.

Another KNOCK . . .

Determined not to answer Rhonda retreats from the door to

the couch.

ON DOORKNOB

3
slowly turning . . .
CUT TO:

Rhonda

frightened, clutching phone to her chest . . .

DOOR opens and Rhonda closes her eyes and throws up both
arms to cover her face.

TRACK FOOTSEPTS as they step into the apartment and inch

nearer . . . nearer . . .

INSERT: HAND

as it reaches out to pry the phone from Rhonda’s grasp

BACK TO SCENE

Rhonda uncovers her face and standing before her is DEBRA,

dressed in a bright red outfit and chewing gum. A wide grin
comes across her face as she holds the phone to her ear.

DEBRA
(on phone)
Hello? Anybody there? Oh well, guess they hung
up.

Debra places the phone back on the receiver and takes a

seat beside her friend.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
I knew you’d do it. You left the door open.
Psychologically, that means you wanted me to come
in. I knew you’d come around. Now all we gotta do is
get you cleaned up and into some fresh clothes.

RHONDA
I’m not feeling well.

DEBRA
You’ll be fine, sweetie. This is your big
breakthrough. Up until now it’s been like an act
of Congress to even get in here but now . . .
Anyway, let’s not waste any time. I got us booked
for a facial at 2:00, a 3:30 appointment at the
hair salon, by 5:00 we need to be at the bakery
looking at cakes and oh, have you decided on what
(MORE)

4
 DEBRA (CONT’D)
you’re going to wear? And honey I hate to be rude
but you stink and we can’t have that ‘cause
sweetie, I’ve invited some gorgeous hunks tonight
and who knows, you might get lucky. Rhonda, I
know you can do this.

Rhonda jerks her hand away as Debra attempts to comfort

her.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
Sweetie, you can do this. It’s time.

Rhonda, jittery and fidgeting begins her normal routine of

pacing back and forth.

RHONDA
The man in black, did you see him?

DEBRA
What man? Honey what are you talking about?

RHONDA
The man outside my door. He was there.

DEBRA
Honey there was nobody else outside your door.

RHONDA
No, you’re wrong. He was there . . . he’s always
there . . . Why do you keep coming here?

DEBRA
Sweetie, do you know what day it is? It’s my
birthday! We had plans . . . big plans to spend
my birthday together. We’re a team right? I can’t
celebrate my birthday without my best girl. It’ll
be a blast! I’ve got this DJ from France and he’s
bringing like all the European hits we don’t even
have yet and remember my ex, Joe? Well, turns out
he knows a guy who knows a guy who had a one-
night stand with a girl who’s the hairdresser for
Tina Turner and guess what? Sweetie, he can get
us back stage passes to the diva’s concert
tomorrow night. I always say, six degrees of
separation. So the deal is, I let him come to my
(MORE)

5
 DEBRA (CONT’D)
party and he gets us the tickets. Of course he
was the biggest asshole when we were dating but
for those tickets I’d let him lick my feet with
honey on top you know what I’m saying?

RHONDA
No, I’m not well. You should go now.

Debra notices a manila envelope with the words “Don’t look”

scrawled across it in black marker hidden halfway behind
the pillow on the couch. She attempts to retrieve it but
Rhonda snatches it away. Several beats. Debra, in despair,
rises slowly and turns to Rhonda with a bewildered look.

RHONDA (CONT’D)
Like I said. You don’t belong here. Go now, I’d
like that very much, okay? Just go away and leave
me the hell alone.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – COUCH - NIGHT

Rhonda rocks back and forth with one arm wrapped around her
knees.

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone)
She was here today, again. She said she didn’t
see him but I know she’s lying . . . why did she
lie? He was there . . . The man in black was
there and I know she saw his face . . . I wish
she’d stop with all the spot checks
. . . dropping by . . . I don’t need her help
. . . I don’t even know her anymore. The stuff
she says we do, or used to do, I don’t know what
she’s talking about. Every year she comes dressed
in the stupid red suit and says it’s her
birthday. Who the hell cares? I’m tired . . . so
tired. And she’s so happy all the time, it makes
me sick!

KNOCK AT THE DOOR. Rhonda clinches the phone to her chest

and then brings it up to her mouth slowly.

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone, whispers)
Did you hear that? He’s back.

SHE hangs up the phone and tiptoes toward the door.

6
THROUGH THE PEEP-HOLE

WE SEE the MAN IN BLACK outside waiting . . . Rhonda turns

her back to the door and throws up her hands to cover her
face tight.

INT. BAR – LATER THAN NIGHT

Debra takes a deep breath, leans forward and covers her

face with both hands. The BARTENDER approaches.

BARTENDER
Hey, are you sick or something?

Debra looks up partially.

BARTENDER (CONT’D)
I just want to know if you need some help
or a drink but it’s closing time so you have
to hurry it up.

DEBRA
Now? What kind of respectable bar closes at
9?

BARTENDER
You’re timing is awful. It just so happens
there’s major renovations underway. The owner’s
adding a restaurant in back. In about half an
hour there’ll be a full functioning working crew
in here complete with hard hats and the whole
nine.

DEBRA
Okay, handsome. Scotch, shots please and keep’em
coming.

HE sets up a glass and pours a shot. Debra downs it.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
Uhm, I bet you hear this all the time but I’ve
got a big problem.

HE pours another shot. Debra downs it.

BARTENDER
Just one? Most people who come in here to drown
their sorrows have like five or six.

7
HE sets up another shot.

DEBRA
Maybe so but I’ve got a doozy let me tell ya.
It’s about my friend, at least someone who used
to be. You see I promised myself I’d never give
up on her. How can I give up on her? She’s my
best friend. Anyway, we were both military brats.
I remember the day I arrived on base, all the
other kids hated me. I don’t know why but they
did. There I was, 16, a skinny little nothing
with braces in a foreign country scared to death
and she meets me and my Dad in the commissary one
day and invites me to join this theater group
. . . next thing I know we’re putting on plays
all over the place. And she never let people push
her around . . .

SHE downs the shot.

BARTENDER
So now what? What’s really going on?

DEBRA
(winces, leans forward)
. . . She’s afraid of the outside. I mean really
afraid. Locked behind closed doors. Like a
trapped rat. For five years believe it or not. I
don’t know that woman. I don’t know that woman at
all. So you see, it’s got to stop. This thing,
whatever it is that’s haunting her, I’ve got to
find a way to make it stop.

HE pours another shot but when Debra reaches for it HE

whisks it away and downs it.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
Hey, not fair.

BARTENDER
Sorry, I needed that. Listen, it sounds like
whatever is going on with this person who may or
may not be your friend is bigger than anything
you can handle alone. Trust me, I know from
experience. Incidentally, I should wish you a
happy birthday.

DEBRA
How’d you know it was my birthday?

8
 BARTENDER
Something about your aura told me. Don’t laugh,
I’m a psychic.

DEBRA
A bartender and a psychic? How on earth do you
ever find the time?

BARTENDER
Are you kidding me? This is the perfect
occupation for both. Part counseling. Part
prediction.

THEY both LAUGH.

DEBRA
So what’s your counsel Mr. Bartender, what
should I do?

HE places another glass on the counter and pours two shots.

BARTENDER
Well, is the friend seeing a doctor? It’s a
good place to start don’t you think?

DEBRA
(smiles)
I think.

THEY both raise their shot glasses in a toast. Afterward,

Debra leans forward across the counter and KISSES HIM.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
Just one more thing, where’s your phone?

CUT TO:

INT. BAR - PHONE ROOM – NIGHT

Debra waits on the line.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
(on phone)
Hello? Yes, hi. I’m calling about a patient of
yours Rhonda Smith . . . She gave you my name as
an emergency contact once I believe . . . Uhm, I
know this is unusual but I was wondering if I
could make an appointment . . . well, it’s about
(MORE)

9
 DEBRA (CONT’D)
Rhonda . . . I know there’s patient privilege
and all but this really is important . . .
hello? . . . Why are you laughing? . . .
What? . . . Of course this isn’t a joke . . .
why would I─? . . . Doctor, this is serious
stuff and I don’t understand why you’re being so
flip for God’s sake . . . No, I’m not on drugs
. . . What do you mean is this a crank call?
. . . Look, medical man, it’s about Rhonda,
Rhonda Smith who lives at 1212 Queen─hello?

Disappointed, Debra bangs the receiver against the call box

and hangs up.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
(under her breath)
What the hell just happened here?

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Rhonda unlocks the door and opens it to find TWO BAGS OF

GROCERIES.

She steps forward, looks both ways, picks up the groceries

and locks the door behind her. She places them on the
KITCHEN COUNTER.

CUT TO:

KITCHEN COUNTER – CONTINUING

SHE unpacks the groceries and discovers a

INSERT: NOTE

in one of the bags that reads” New change in policy. Will

call later. Signed – Food Emporium”

BACK TO SCENE

SHE methodically tears up the note into tiny little pieces,

each smaller than the one before and scatters the pieces.

BEDROOM – CONTINUING

ON ANSWERING MACHINE

as it plays through a series of messages.

10
 FEMALE CALLER (VO)
Hi, it’s Mona. I’m sorry I haven’t called for a
week. A group of us girls got together last week
for one of those vacation getaways. It was the
usual suspects, you know, Wendy, Carolyn,
Josephine, Elena and myself. I tried to get a
hold of Debra but you know how hard it is to get
a hold of Debra – she’s probably booked ‘til
Christmas. Hey, remember the little fling I had
with that hot Latin surprise who worked at the
local bodega? Well, guess what? Raul’s still
there but he’s now the owner and manager. His
father died last year. Guess what? He asked me to
marry him. Of course I said no, the man has like
four last names. If we got married my last name
would be Cosa-Mansuena Delgado Ramirez . . .
(Laughs) . . . Anyway, we missed you a lot. You
were always so much . . . Well, I guess it’s just
hard to understand what happened . . . I’ve been
reading up on it and I want to learn . . . Look,
I just hope you get better. Hope to hear from you
soon. Get better, okay?

BEEP. NEXT CALLER.

NURSE (VO)
Hello, is this the Smith residence? I’m Nurse Betty. I
wanted to let you know your prescription is in and you
can send a courier to pick it up at the hospital
pharmacy anytime between 9 and 5 on a weekday. Miss.
Smith, Miss. Rhonda Smith? You asked about maybe
getting another doctor to review your case and well,
it just so happens that there is a specialist coming
in from Vienna next week and he’s doing these
consultations as a part of a pilot project for his
post graduate thesis. I could recommend you, on your
doctor’s orders of course. Maybe we can talk a little
more about that. I’ll call back in a couple of days
and we can talk.

BEEP. NEXT CALLER.

DELIVERY MAN (VO)

Hello? Food Emporium calling. It’s about 10:15
and my shift is over for the night but I wanted
to check in with you before I left. I knocked on
your door earlier and no one answered. I left the
(MORE)

11
 DELIVERY MAN (CONT’D, VO)
grocery bags as usual with a note. We got
everything on your list but just to let you know
we can’t take the emailed coupons anymore. We got
hit with this big scam with folks manufacturing
their own coupons, you know, you can do anything
with a computer and a scanner these days so the
boss decided that if it isn’t the hard copy then
we can’t take them on online orders. Sorry, for
the inconvenience.

Rhonda grows increasingly more frustrated with each call.

BEEP. NEXT CALLER.

VIDEO STORE GUY (VO)

. . Hello? . . . Hello? . . . Hello . . .
anybody there? Look, this is the manager from
Lucky Video and I’m looking for Rhonda Smith. You
owe almost $300 in fines for lost videos, Miss.
Smith and while we’d love to continue to rent to
you, the fact is─we don’t trust you. It’s been
nearly six months. Where are the videos Miss.
Smith? You know the rules, if they’re lost . . .
You really need to come down and take care of it
because right now you’re name’s been red flagged
and you can’t rent from any of our video chains
anymore and if we want to we can make it so
you’ll never rent another video in this town
again. Do you understand? Look, I have plenty of
things to do around here without babysitting some
customer who has been derelict in her duties and
broken the video store/customer agreement.
There’s a procedure for everything lady. We run a
video rental store. You can’t just take our
videos and never return them. I mean, we assume
you’ve lost them because I can’t believe somebody
would sit by and accrue all kinds of fines when
all they have to do is get off their lazy ass and
return the videos that rightfully belong to the
business. We kept our end of the bargain, we let
you take the video rental and watch it in the
comfort of your home. Now how about keeping your
end of the bargain and bringing back the goddam
videos! Have a nice day.

BEEP. NEXT CALLER.

12
 DELIVERY MAN (VO)
Hello? This is Food Emporium calling again and
there’s a rumor going on that you haven’t left your
apartment in five years. Is it true?

SHE SLAMS THE ANSWERING MACHINE TO THE FLOOR

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – BATHROOM – NIGHT

Rhonda opens the bathroom cabinet and stares at MULTIPLE

BOTTLES OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION.

SERIES OF SHOTS ─

A) Grabs a bottle, pours two pills in hand, swallows

B) Grabs two bottles, pours three pills in hand,
swallows, drinks from faucet
C) Grabs three bottles, pours four pills in hand,
attempts to swallow but chokes, spits pills in sink
D) Opens palm of hand slowly, one by one takes six pills,
swallows and drinks from faucet, splashes water over
her face, closes cabinet, stares in mirror, sobs
uncontrollably

END SERIES OF SHOTS

Rhonda falls to the bathroom floor and closes her eyes. All
the pills begin to take effect. She goes on a head trip.

MONTAGE – SFX (screeching!)

A) Animated “Live Your Life” in layered moving,

overlapping titles
B) Live footage: Bicyclist rides through traffic
C) Live footage: Street cars in traffic
D) Live footage: Tall Buildings and skyline
E) Live footage: Flowing water fountain
F) Live footage: Room filled with posters
G) Animated “Live Your Life” written in burning flame
text on a computer screen
H) Photo: People dancing at a park
I) Photo: Lady at a naturopathic clinic receiving water
therapy
J) Photo: Same lady with a cat
K) Photo: Same lady with crazy eyes
L) Animated dollar bill
M) Photo: Man in Black
N) Animated Blinking eye

13
 O) Animated Dancing Man
P) Photo: Dancing Girls
Q) Animated “Live Your Life” written in burning flames
again
R) Animated “Somebody Has Too” in layered moving
overlapping titles

ON RHONDA’S EARS

trickling blood, from the barrage of visuals.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – KITCHEN - NEXT MORNING

ON A HALF-EATEN PIECE OF TOAST & EGGS ON A PLATE

atop a mountain of dirty dishes in the sink.

PAN THE ROOM to display THE ANSWERING MACHINE THAT’S BEEN

HACKED TO PIECES.

ON RHONDA

as SHE stuffs a mountain of dirty clothes into large sacks.

PHONE RINGS

SHE lets it ring six times before answering.

RHONDA
(on phone)
Yes?

WOMAN’S VOICE
(on phone)
Hello?

SHE goes to hang up but hesitates . . .

WOMAN’S VOICE (CONT’D)

(on phone)
Smith? Smith, Rhonda? Hello? Anybody there?
You placed order online for today’s laundry
service? Sorry but we can’t pick up today . . .
no employees, they’re on strike the bums.

RHONDA
(on phone)
Can’t you send someone else? Anyone?

14
 WOMAN’S VOICE
(on phone)
Like who? Nobody’s available. Like I said, they
strike and left me here alone. I’m about to close
down and go home ‘cause I don’t do laundry, I’m
the owner. You know any scabs need work? I could
maybe hook you up with a little finder’s fee and
the IRS never find out nothing. Think about it.
We could help each other out.

Rhonda hangs up. SHE grabs one sack of dirty clothes and IN A
FRENZY tosses clothing all over the room.

EXT. RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD - WHITE BUILDING – STOCK

FOOTAGE - NIGHT

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – COUCH - NIGHT

RHONDA’S POV – TV

Rhonda stares intently at the television screen as the

AUDIENCE APPLAUSE ushers in the late night TV show host,
MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT. As the show begins SHE soon finds
herself dozing in and out of consciousness . . .

RHONDA’S EYES

getting heavier by the moment as the APPLAUSE finally dies

down . . .

MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT (VO)

. . . Hello ladies and gentlemen, I’m Merlin the
Magnificent and this is not your father’s late
night show. I’m a new kind of TV personality
folks – less overacting and more to the point.
You won’t find any comedy routines here. Here in
Merlin’s Palace we don’t interview overpaid
celebrities with nothing better to do than come
and hear themselves talk about their latest
conquest. No, that is not our way here at the
Palace. Here, we like to get into your mind . . .
all the way in there with the cerebellum and the
cerebrum . . . we like to extract your thoughts
and get right down to the core of your being . .
. to explore beneath the surface. Now tell me,
Rhonda, isn’t there something you’d like to
reveal?

15
Startled, SHE CRASHES to the floor.

MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT (CONT’D, VO)

. . . Rhonda, you can’t fool me I can read your
thoughts. All of them. The good folks out here in
TV land are waiting. Are you going to let them
down?

RHONDA
(unsure of what is happening)
This can’t be. It’s not possible.
(wipes eyes and opens wide)
It’s just not possible.

MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT (VO)

Come now Rhonda dear, don’t play coy, everyone
wants to know, why does the man in black visit
you so often? What is it he seeks?

Afraid, she switches off the T.V. and is about to settle

back down when there is a disturbance of someone CLEARING
THEIR THROAT.

RHONDA
Who’s there?!

MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT (VO)

Just your friendly late night alternative talk
show host.

RHONDA
But . . . I cut you off.

MERLIN THE MAGNIFICENT (VO)

Surely, you didn’t think you were going to get
rid of me that easy did you? And you know what
else, you won’t get rid of him that easy either.
Good night Rhonda, but never goodbye.

IN THE KITCHEN

SHE takes a can of soda from the refrigerator, pops the top
and turns the can up to her head when the RADIO TURNS ON
AUTOMATICALLY, there’s STATIC and then—

RADIO ANNOUNCER (VO)

—it’s a bargain folks, a bargain! Only $24.99
with shipping and handling and you too can own
(MORE)

16
 RADIO ANNOUNCER (CONT’D, VO)
your very own “Clear your conscious kit”! The
“Clear your conscious kit” is a revolutionary new
product to hit the marketplace . . . it will
change the way you commit crimes . . .

ON RHONDA

SHE drops the can of soda.

BACK TO SCENE

RADIO ANNOUNCER (CONT’D, VO)

. . . simple folks, just open the kit and read
the instructions. Each kit comes with a bottle of
pink liquid called “Erase tonic”, a pair of
sensory receptors that you place on your forehead
and chest attached to a special adapter,
a wireless amplifier that you plug the adapter
into, and a 56K modem. I repeat folks, only
$24.99 and we can make you forget whatever it is
that needs to be forgotten. I tell ya folks, it’s
a steal! Now here’s how it works─you drink the
tonic, assemble the sensory receptors, plug
yourself in, connect to the modem and let the
cosmos take care of the rest as the negative
feelings of guilt are systematically withdrawn
from your body and distributed into the Ethernet
. . .

RHONDA
(bare whisper)
What the─?

RADIO ANNOUNCER (VO)

. . .ONLY $24.99! Can you believe it?! Go ahead,
rob that bank, commit that murder or even a
little jaywalk will do it! The “Clear your
conscious kit” is all you need to undo the mental
anguish that disturbs you daily . . . now how do
you get this extraordinary product you ask? . . .

SHE scrambles to find a piece of paper and pen in the

dresser drawer.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (CONT’D, VO)

. . . Send check or money order to Dept S, 1234
Main Street, Anytown USA . . .

17
SHE begins to write at a feverish pace before SHE REALIZES
and then drops the pen.

RADIO ANNOUNCER (CONT’D, VO)

. . . What’s the matter Rhonda? The light bulb
finally go off?
(mockingly)
Give it up my dear, you’ll never get away with it
. . . This has been a broadcast of the Chaos
Network Affiliation, bringing madness and mayhem
from small occurrences to the airwaves near you.

HE LAUGHS hysterically and SUDDENLY THE RADIO TURNS TO

STATIC ONCE AGAIN BEFORE SHTUTTING OFF.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – NIGHT – HOUR LATER

ON THE RADIO

smashed and the bits strewn over the floor.

ON THE TV

with black card board taped across the screen.

IN THE KITCHEN

Rhonda scrubs an apple underneath the running water for a few

minutes. Unsatisfied, she breaks into tears and POUNDS THE APPLE TO
THE FLOOR.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMEMNT – KITCHEN – CONTINUING

Rhonda stuffs her face with a box of FIDDLE FADDLE. Eating rapidly,
SHE cleans the box and turns it upside down to gobble up any
remaining pieces.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – KITCHEN – CONTINUING

Rhonda downs a jug of milk and BELCHES. SHE pulls the last remnants
of FIDDLE FADDLE pieces stuck to her nightgown and pops them into
her mouth.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMNET – KITCHEN – CONINUING

While on the floor Rhonda runs her fingers steadily over A FRAMED
MASTER’S DEGREE CERTIFICATE in economics with her name on it.

18
SHE CRIES herself to sleep and SNORES.

INT. AUDITORIUM/HALL – FUNERAL SERVICE - NIGHT

DREAM SEQUENCE.

A CACOPHONY OF ERRATIC MUSICAL SOUNDS PERMEATE THE

BACKGROUND AND SUDDENLY—

A BEAUTIFUL BALLERINA

pirouettes away from the CAMERA and DOWN THE HALLWAY where
she performs a brief routine while stoic WHITE-PAINTED
FACES sit amazingly upright and stare out into space.

As the BALLERINA dances back to her seat and curtsies, the

AUDIENCE erupts in APPLAUSE.

CUT TO:

A SLEEPING RHONDA

stumped over in her seat in a nightgown in the front row of

this bizarre AUDIENCE all dressed in white.

A WOMAN leans over, brandishes a BOUQUET OF BALLOONS and

POPS IT in RHONDA’S FACE!

RHONDA
Oh my God, what was that?

WOMAN
Wake up. You don’t have to go to sleep to
dream my dear. It’s time.

RHONDA
For what?

WOMAN
For everything . . . don’t you know? We’ve been
watching and listening. I see you’re having a
hard time finding your place . . . where you
belong.

The AUDIENCE begins to APPLAUD and Rhonda covers her ears.

They begin to methodically hum her name—

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 CHORUS RHONDA
(sings!)
RHON- DA! RHON-DA! RHON-DA! RHON-DA! . . . . Leave me
alone! Whatta you
want?! . . . Go
away!

As the CHORUS continues taunting her Rhonda squirms in her

chair as PAIRS OF HANDS surround her, grabbing and tugging
relentlessly—

SHE leaps from the chair and rushes toward the back of the room
where a fanatically smiling woman pursues her and backs her
into a corner—

WOMAN
Welcome to the service my dear, please to make your
acquaintance. Remember your prayers? Surprise!

CHORUS
JOY AND PAIN AWAIT YOU! EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY!

RHONDA
You people are sick, sick, sick people! Where the
hell is this place?

WOMAN
Suburb of the paranoiac. Everyone’s welcome here
my dear.

RHONDA
Meaning?

WOMAN
The primal fear of course.

RHONDA
Death?

The woman stares long and hard at Rhonda before erupting in LAUGHTER.

WOMAN
Not death . . . life! This is your life sentence!

The AUDIENCE APPLAUDS.

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The woman reaches out to take her hand but Rhonda barrels into
her and shoves her aside as she races back toward the front of
the room before stopping midway─
CHORUS
. . . ACCEPT THE THINGS YOU CANNOT CHANGE . . .
EXCEPT FOR THINGS—

The woman beckons for the CHORUS to stop with the WAVE OF HER
HAND and all is silent as the AUDIENCE IS STILL.

Rhonda slowly turns to face her adversary.

RHONDA
Who are you? You shouldn’t be in my head.

WOMAN
What’s wrong? Don’t you like the service?

The woman moves a little closer and Rhonda takes a step

backwards.

RHONDA
Don’t come any closer, I’m warning you! Don’t touch
me or you’ll regret it!

WOMAN
What are your regrets, my dear? Do tell?
We can help you, I’m sure.

SHE takes Rhonda by the hand and guides her back to her seat in
the front row.

RHONDA
Please, I don’t want to be here Please, let me go?

The CHORUS filters from its seat and encloses Rhonda and the
woman

RHONDA (CONT’D)
Please, I didn’t do anything. I swear!

WOMAN
(leans over)
What, my dear? What didn’t you do that you did?
Tell me your secret.

RHONDA
I’m not afraid of you! You don’t even exist.

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 CHORUS
YOUR PAIN IS OUR GAIN! EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY!

RHONDA
(covers ears)
No more! I won’t take it! Stop screwing with
my mind!

As Rhonda sits cradling herself, rocking back and forth the

BALLERINA begins to dance again and THERE IS SILENCE as the
AUDIENCE files back into the seats with BOWED HEADS.

INT. WHITE ROOM – NEXT DAY

The man in black strides back and forth with his hands folded
behind his back and head down in deep thought, thinking . . .
analyzing . . . pissed off about something . . .

MAN IN BLACK
(approaches camera)
Responsibility . . . that’s the name of the game.
One word. Simple. To the point. Responsibility.
Why should some rest in comfort while others pay
the price?

HE takes a few steps back. Pauses. Then turns his back to

the camera.

MAN IN BLACK (CONT’D)

Miles Davis use to play just like this . . . man
was one cool cat and he didn’t give a damn! You
see Miles understood people. He coulda’ diagnosed
you in a heartbeat . . . Yeah, I’m talkin’ to you
. . .Wakey-wakey . . .

JUMP CUT TO:

(Time Warp begins)

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – COUCH - DAY

Rhonda gasps and awakes drenched in sweat.

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

. . . Rhonda takes a few steps in the door’s direction but

the─

PHONE RINGS

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 . . . Rhonda moves toward the phone when the─

ALARM CLOCK SOUNDS

. . . Rhonda moves toward the alarm clock when she hears─

MAN IN BLACK (VO)

What’s wrong sweetness, don’t know which
way to turn?

RHONDA
It was just a dream! You can’t make me, you
hear! You can’t make me! I have a Master’s degree
in Urban Economics, I’m smarter than you!

MAN IN BLACK (VO)

Dream? Some people dream but you sweetness,
you got yourself a whole ‘nother thing going on.

JUMP CUT TO:

INT: RHONDA’S APARTMENT – DAY

As Rhonda lies in bed she begins to “SPEAK IN TONGUES” AT A

RAPID PACE,

INSERT ─

IMAGES OF THE MAN IN BLACK

flash quickly and repeated before her, one more distorted

and disturbing than the other.

BACK TO SCENE

Rhonda blacks out─

JUMP CUT TO:

INT. CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY

ON RHONDA

Motionless, sprawled out atop the table, WE MOVE along the

length of her body before settling on her eyes, which OPEN
IN A FLASH, darting about the room, unsure of her
surroundings.

ALL OF A SUDDEN

23
With panic SHE rises up, CLUTCHING HER THROAT AND GASPING
FOR AIR as if an imaginary force is manipulating her
breathing. In LONG, DEEP WHEEZES her attempts to speak fall
silent until finally, SHE TAKES ONE GULP OF AIR and then
falls limp back on the table. Her BODY RESTRAINED.

ON HER EYES

moving frantically, registering a fear and dread of the

unknown, appealing for help while the rest of her body
remains unresponsive. Unable to speak her eyes do the
talking.

RHONDA (VO)
(subdued)
Where is this place? This room . . . I don’t feel
comfortable here . . . I don’t know this place.
(agitated, excited)
What the hell is happening?! I can’t move.
Somebody, anybody, please?!

THE WALLS

emit BOOMING LAUGHTER that reverberates.

RHONDA (CONT’D,VO)
What’s happening here?!

IMAGES OF WRECKAGE

flash repeatedly before her and she FREAKS OUT

RHONDA (CONT’D, VO)

No, stop! It wasn’t my fault. Don’t you
see?

LAUGHTER crescendos to great heights before tapering off.

JUMP CUT TO:

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT - KITCHEN – DAY

ON RHONDA’S EYES

as they OPEN IN A FLASH and wander around the room, her

nightgown torn. SHE CLUTCHES HER THROAT and lets her
fingers linger there for a while. SHE breathes a SIGH OF
RELIEF and gets up from the table and turns to leave, when

24
there is A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND LAUGHTER FILTERS THROUGH
THE AIR

MAN IN BLACK (VO)

Tell me something, is it me or you just
having a bad fucking day?

Rhonda takes a few steps back, grabs the knife on the

kitchen counter and lunges forward—

RHONDA
Die, you son of a bitch!

SHE JABS THE KNIFE INTO THE AIR AND PASSES OUT

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – BATHROOM – NIGHT

Rhonda climbs into the bathtub in her nightgown.

INTERCUTTING

Rhonda in the bath tub/RAINY STREET with a white Subaru in

coming traffic.

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone)
I keep . . . I keep sliding back and forth
between time. I was in the bed and then I was in
a room on a table and then . . . it was one
loop. It’s in my mind all the time, it’s taken
control of my thoughts, of my words. I belong to
it, for it’s amusement. The pain always comes
back. You don’t believe me . . . the white
Subaru? My car? . . . No, it can’t be . . . I
don’t own a car . . .

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – COUCH – NIGHT - HOUR LATER

Rhonda awakes to taps on the shoulder from Debra.

DEBRA
We gotta talk.

Rhonda struggles to lean forward but has no energy and falls back.

RHONDA
(hostile)
How did you get in here?

25
 DEBRA
The door was wide open, don’t you remember?
RHONDA
Liar! It was locked. It’s always locked.

DEBRA
Now think about it, why would I lie?

RHONDA
For the same reason anyone does. I thought
I told you not to come back here? I thought
you understood I don’t need you? I thought it
was all over?

DEBRA
Rhonda if it was all over you wouldn’t be
stuck in this freaking apartment! You wouldn’t
be afraid to live!
(runs fingers through hair)
Look, I didn’t come here to . . . I mean, I
just want to talk . . . there’s something . . .

RHONDA
Oh so sorry my situation is so painful for you.
Don’t you have somewhere to be? Prowling a hotel
lobby, maybe?

DEBRA
(beat)
Now that’s just cruel.

RHONDA
I don’t like you. We were never friends.

DEBRA
I saw them . . . the newspaper clippings.

RHONDA
What newspaper?

DEBRA
The clippings you tried to hide from me before.

RHONDA
For the last time, I don’t know anything about
any clippings so please don’t bother me.

26
Debra removes the manila folder from inside her jacket with
“Don’t Look” written on the outside. She reaches inside and
takes out a bundle of newspaper clippings and presents them to
Rhonda.
DEBRA
You kept them like a kind of documented journey
but I guess somewhere along the line the truth
got muddled. It was an accident . . . a car
accident. You need to remember, sweetie. Five
years ago. That’s when you started acting
cra─that’s when you changed.

RHONDA
(grabs clippings)
Lady detective? I don’t think so. You’re a thief!

DEBRA
There was a man . . .

RHONDA
Don’t be silly.

DEBRA
. . . he was in the crash . . .

All the while Rhonda MOCKS HER WITH LAUGHTER AND OTHER
SHENANIGANS

DEBRA (CONT’D)
(shakes her)
You have to listen to me! This is your life!
This is real!

RHONDA
You’re ridiculous.

DEBRA
He died! You understand?! Hit and run!
A witness . . .

RHONDA
(suddenly interested)
A witness?

DEBRA
(clears throat)
. . . saw the whole thing but something weird
happened . . . yes there was this witness, this

27
woman, but she dropped dead on the spot from a
heart attack, they think from fright.

RHONDA
Lucky her.
DEBRA
Was it you? Were you the other driver?
What happened to your white Subaru Rhonda?!
Did you hit and kill that poor man?!

RHONDA
Get out!

DEBRA
I want to help you get your life back!

RHONDA
(in her face)
Don’t you get it?! You’re not helping me! If
I remember I’ll disappear. I’m not ready to leave
yet.

DEBRA
(grabs her)
You’re not making any sense. Disappear where?

RHONDA
(laughs)
You thought you knew everything. Had it all
figured out like a jigsaw puzzle, right?
Here’s a little secret.
(whispers in Debra’s ear)
I’m dead.

DEBRA
You’re confused from all the pills.

RHONDA
Am I?

DEBRA
Listen to me, you’re very much alive and you
gotta get a grip on reality and face this
thing head on or the men in white suits are gonna
swoop down and carry you away in a straight
jacket. You understand? You can’t continue to
carry this burden. It’s killing you inside.
It was an accident and tomorrow when you have a
clearer head, we’ll both go down to the precinct

28
 and you can tell the cops the truth about what
really happened. Take responsibility for your
part. It wasn’t your fault. Bad things happen
sometimes to good people. You were scared so you
panicked and made a bad decision.
RHONDA
Of course, you must be right. It’s true, I
haven’t been myself lately. Would you like a
glass of iced tea? It’s your favorite, right?

DEBRA
(hugs her)
You remember. You’re coming back to me. This is a
real break through. You’ve confronted your fears.
You can actually start to heal now.

As THEY embrace there is a feeling of uneasiness as Rhonda

stares deep into space without blinking and pats Debra
repeatedly across the back.

RHONDA
I’ll get that tea for you now.

IN THE KITCHEN

Rhonda takes a small bottle from the cupboard and pours the
contents of a clear liquid into a glass. She takes the
drink to Debra.

DEBRA
Thanks. You know, I was thinking, you should
probably go see a lawyer before speaking to the
authorities. I know this guy.
(takes a long drink)

RHONDA
Of course you do. You know so many guys, don’t
you? But you’re absolutely right, I’ll do
whatever you say.

DEBRA
(drinks)
Good. Hey, I know it’s not easy for you. After
all this time, I know there’s a lot of pain there
but I just want you to know I’ll be right here by
your side the whole step of the way. I promise.

RHONDA
(big smile)

29
 Isn’t that wonderful? You’re too good to me.
What did I ever do to deserve such a kind and
compassionate friend like you?
(beat)
Well now, all that’s behind us.

DEBRA
(drinks)
However, there was something I forgot to mention.
I made a call to that psychiatrist you were
seeing. It was kind of a last chance effort to
get into your head. Anyway, it was really weird.
He thought I was some kind of crank caller when I
asked about your condition and then out of
nowhere he hung up. It was very unprofessional.
Why would he do that?

Several beats. Debra grabs the side of her head. Rhonda

removes the glass from her hands. Debra careens over.

DEBRA (CONT’D)
I feel . . . funny. What─?

RHONDA
─Shh! It’s better this way. Just relax.

DEBRA
(drowsy, woozy, inattentive)
Something in the tea . . .

RHONDA
Of course dear. I had to make sure you wouldn’t
leave. Besides, it’s your party too.

Debra passes out. Rhonda brings her a pillow and pulls her
feet up on the couch.

INT. RHONDA’S APARTMENT – NEXT DAY

ON RHONDA

her appearance now immaculate, dressed in a business suit.

ON DEBRA

coming to on the couch, still a little dazed from the

knock-out drug.

RHONDA’S P.O.V. – THE PEEPHOLE

30
SHE stares through the peephole, looking for the man in
black to appear but no one is there.

BACK TO SCENE
DEBRA
(grabs head)
Rhonda, how do I say this? Did you poison me
last night? I remember drinking the tea and
then I think I blacked out.

RHONDA
He should be here soon.

DEBRA
Who? What are you talking about? I can’t believe
it, I thought I got through to you. I don’t get
it. You seemed to finally understand.

RHONDA
(comes closer)
But do you understand? After that car crash, I
fled to the psychiatrist to confess my sins but
it was too late. You see, sweetie, I didn’t make
it. He’s right . . . I don’t belong here.

Rhonda crosses her arms, stares deep into Debra’s eyes, then:

RHONDA (CONT’D)
(half-smile)
And guess what? . . . neither do you.

Debra, shocked, jumps straight up!

RHONDA (CONT’D)
That’s right girlfriend. You conveniently left
out the other part of the jigsaw puzzle.
I wasn’t driving the white Subaru you were.

DEBRA
(gasps! - covers ears)
No! You’re crazy. I won’t go crazy with you!

RHONDA
You were drunk.

DEBRA
It’s a lie!
RHONDA

31
 We both were drunk so we ran away.

DEBRA
I’m alive! Look at me?! Do I look dead to you?!
You crazy bitch! I’m getting out of here!

She makes a move for the door but Rhonda impedes her way.
And then:

A KNOCK AT THE DOOR

Rhonda opens it and greets the man in black.

MAN IN BLACK
Hello sweetness, you make a lovely corpse.

RHONDA
(smoothing her skirt)
So do you. I brought someone else along.

MAN IN BLACK
Good job. That saves me from coming back to
collect her. Two for the price of one.

THYE BOTH LAUGH.

ON DEBRA’S FACE

mortified!

FADE OUT.

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