Alone in the Dark
Submitted as part of the Appalachian State University Creative Writing Residential Learning Community’s assignment: Write a screenplay where each line has to be 3 words exactly.
ACT 1, SCENE 1
(We open with a man and woman riding on an elevator down from the 42nd floor. It’s dark and storming outside the safety of their company. The elevator suddenly comes to a screeching halt as lightning flashes outside the building. Our characters are left alone in the dark.)
LILY
(Screams)
I can’t see!
(The orange emergency lights come on)
MASON
You can now.
LILY
Don’t be cruel.
MASON
Then don’t panic.
LILY
I’m not panicking
MASON
You seemed hysterical.
LILY
For once second!
MASON
Just drop it.
LILY
Fine. Now what?
MASON
Now, we wait.
LILY
(Checks her watch)
Everyone is gone.
MASON
We’ll be alright.
LILY
You can’t know.
MASON
Look. We’re stuck.
LILY
I hadn’t realized.
MASON
Always the smartass.
LILY
Like you weren’t.
MASON
Of course not.
LILY
You’re an ass.
MASON
You’re a liar.
LILY
I never cheated!
MASON
I don’t care.
LILY
Clearly you do.
MASON
Just drop it!
LILY
I never lied.
MASON
You weren’t honest.
LILY
Oh, Mason. Please.
MASON
(Gestures to Lily’s cell phone)
Check your phone.
LILY
(Checks her phone)
There’s no service.
MASON
Well, that’s perfect.
LILY
And I’m hysterical?
MASON
Lily. Be reasonable.
LILY
I’m sorry, okay?
MASON
Save it, Lily.
LILY
(Notices the emergency phone in the corner)
The emergency phone!
MASON
I hadn’t noticed.
LILY
Just check it!
MASON
It’s been broken.
LILY
Just try, Mason!
MASON
(Pulls out the broken receiver and holds it out for Lily to see in the orange light)
I told you.
LILY
I can’t breathe.
MASON
Don’t be dramatic.
LILY
It’s too small!
MASON
Just sit down.
LILY
You hate me.
MASON
Not this again…
LILY
Admit it, Mason!
MASON
Admit it now?
LILY
If it’s true.
MASON
I hardly think-
LILY
(Interrupts Mason)
Say it now!
MASON
I hate you!
LILY
You hate me?
MASON
You and him!
LILY
Oh, Mason. No.
MASON
It’s the truth.
LILY
But, I’m sorry.
MASON
Remember my revolver?
LILY
(Lily inches further into the corner of the elevator)
Yes, of course.
MASON
I brought it.
LILY
Here to work?
MASON
To his house.
LILY
Well, I’m glad-
MASON
(Interrupts Lily)
I almost fired.
LILY
You wouldn’t have.
MASON
Right. Too messy.
LILY
You’re scaring me.
MASON
You should suffer.
LILY
Don’t be brash!
MASON
You’re a fool.
LILY
You were gone!
MASON
It’s my job!
LILY
I needed more!
MASON
You knew this!
LILY
I wasn’t happy!
MASON
You crushed me.
LILY
I was sorry!
MASON
(Takes a step towards Lily)
Was? You’re not?
LILY
Stop scaring me!
MASON
You should burn!
LILY
Mason! Please! Don’t!
MASON
(Grabs Lily’s scarf and pulls it tight around her neck)
You filthy whore.
LILY
I can’t breathe!
MASON
With my brother!
LILY
(Lily claws at the scarf and Mason’s hand)
Mason, I’m sorry.
MASON
Rot in Hell!
ACT 2, SCENE 1
(We open with two firemen and a police officer trying to pry open the doors to a broken elevator that is stuck between the 38th and 39th floors of a skyscraper.)
FIREMAN 1
(Trying to force the doors open)
Jesus, they’re stuck.
OFFICER
No shit, Harry.
FIREMAN 1
Lend a hand?
FIREMAN 2
Go on three.
FIREMAN 1
One, two, three!
(The three of them manage to pry the doors open just a crack)
FIREMAN 2
Is anyone there?
OFFICER
(Shine his flashlight through the two-inch opening between the doors)
There’s a woman!
FIREMAN 1
Are you alright?
(The firemen pry the doors open the rest of the way)
FIREMAN 2
Is she okay?
FIREMAN 1
You’re safe now!
OFFICER
Is she alive?
(Lily looks up into the blinding light of the officer’s flashlight and cowers)
FIREMAN 2
That answers that.
(The three men notice writing scrawled along the walls in blood-red lipstick. It reads, “I must suffer.”)
FIREMAN 1
What the Hell?
OFFICER
What happened here?
(Fireman 1 climbs down into the elevator and helps Lily stand. He brings her over to where the Officer has his hand out, ready to help her out)
LILY
I must suffer.
FIREMAN 2
She’s gone mad.
LILY
I will suffer.
FIREMAN 1
Get her out.
OFFICER
(The officer takes Lily’s hand and begins to pull her up)
You’ll be alright.
LILY
(Lily grabs the officer’s arm, digging her nails into his flesh. He screams.)
I killed him!
OFFICER
Help! She’s looney!
(The firemen are trying to separate Lily and the officer)
FIREMAN 2
Let go, woman!
LILY
(There is a brief struggle. Lily grabs the officer’s gun from his holster and presses it against her temple, cocked)
I am suffering!
(Lily pulls the trigger and kills herself in the officer’s arms. Blood splatters back against Fireman 1. The three men stand in shock for the remaining seconds. Fade out.)
