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(When dreams and reality clash)
Written By
La-Tonia Denise Willis
©2007. All Rights Reserved.
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" . . .
2
Meet RHONDA. Disheveled, unkempt, hair all over the place
pacing back and forth erratically in a dark nightgown.
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 . . .
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.
Another KNOCK . . .
ON DOORKNOB
3
slowly turning . . .
CUT TO:
Rhonda
DOOR opens and Rhonda closes her eyes and throws up both
arms to cover her face.
INSERT: HAND
BACK TO SCENE
DEBRA
(on phone)
Hello? Anybody there? Oh well, guess they hung
up.
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.
DEBRA (CONT’D)
Sweetie, you can do this. It’s time.
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.
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.
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!
RHONDA (CONT’D)
(on phone, whispers)
Did you hear that? He’s back.
6
THROUGH THE PEEP-HOLE
BARTENDER
Hey, are you sick or something?
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.
DEBRA (CONT’D)
Uhm, I bet you hear this all the time but I’ve
got a big problem.
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 . . .
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.
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.
DEBRA
So what’s your counsel Mr. Bartender, what
should I do?
BARTENDER
Well, is the friend seeing a doctor? It’s a
good place to start don’t you think?
DEBRA
(smiles)
I think.
DEBRA (CONT’D)
Just one more thing, where’s your phone?
CUT TO:
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?
DEBRA (CONT’D)
(under her breath)
What the hell just happened here?
CUT TO:
INSERT: NOTE
BACK TO SCENE
BEDROOM – CONTINUING
ON ANSWERING MACHINE
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?
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.
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.
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?
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.
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
ON RHONDA
PHONE RINGS
RHONDA
(on phone)
Yes?
WOMAN’S VOICE
(on phone)
Hello?
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.
RHONDA’S POV – TV
RHONDA’S EYES
15
Startled, SHE CRASHES to the floor.
RHONDA
(unsure of what is happening)
This can’t be. It’s not possible.
(wipes eyes and opens wide)
It’s just not possible.
RHONDA
Who’s there?!
RHONDA
But . . . I cut you off.
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—
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
BACK TO SCENE
RHONDA
(bare whisper)
What the─?
17
SHE begins to write at a feverish pace before SHE REALIZES
and then drops the pen.
ON THE RADIO
ON THE TV
IN THE KITCHEN
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.
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.
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.
DREAM SEQUENCE.
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.
CUT TO:
A SLEEPING RHONDA
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.
19
CHORUS RHONDA
(sings!)
RHON- DA! RHON-DA! RHON-DA! RHON-DA! . . . . Leave me
alone! Whatta you
want?! . . . Go
away!
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!
20
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
Who are you? You shouldn’t be in my head.
WOMAN
What’s wrong? Don’t you like the service?
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.
21
CHORUS
YOUR PAIN IS OUR GAIN! EMBRACE YOUR DESTINY!
RHONDA
(covers ears)
No more! I won’t take it! Stop screwing with
my mind!
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?
PHONE RINGS
22
. . . Rhonda moves toward the phone when the─
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!
INSERT ─
BACK TO SCENE
ON RHONDA
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
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
RHONDA (CONT’D,VO)
What’s happening here?!
IMAGES OF WRECKAGE
ON RHONDA’S EYES
24
there is A KNOCK AT THE DOOR AND LAUGHTER FILTERS THROUGH
THE AIR
RHONDA
Die, you son of a bitch!
SHE JABS THE KNIFE INTO THE AIR AND PASSES OUT
INTERCUTTING
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 . . .
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.
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?
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.
ON RHONDA
ON DEBRA
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.
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:
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.
ON DEBRA’S FACE
mortified!
FADE OUT.
32