SCRIPT

Scene One

The first shot begins with James proposing to Laurie at the Muse Saloon. She accepts seeming thrilled and over-the-moon. The couple is then seen walking down the street and through various parts of town. James then gifts her a pearl necklace wrapping it around her neck from behind her, Laurie assists by lifting her hair. Laurie in return turns around and hugs James in gratitude. The couple then decides to take a shortcut through an alleyway. 

Laurie: (enters the scene giggling, showing off her hand and rubbing her ring)

James: The ring is almost as beautiful as you.

Laurie:(laughs to herself) I couldn’t possibly dream of a more perfect night (walks further down leaving James standing there as he watches her) a candle-lit dinner, the picture-perfect fiancé…

James: Everything for my future wife… (he whispering as he watches her in admiration)

Laurie: (Laurie walks up to James, fixing his tie) From now on, you’re my home (pauses, and looks up at James) as you always have been.

James: And will continue to be (holds her hands, they share a moment and while looking into each other’s’ eyes, James sighs and smirks at Laurie)

Laurie: What is it…?

James: It’s nothing really

Laurie: Come on, you can tell me anything.

James: It- It’s just that (slight pause) I just realised how insanely lucky I am to have found the love of life and she’s standing right in front of me. 

Laurie: (looks down and giggles, then looks back at James) I hate the fact that we had not met sooner, for how much longer could I have loved you for?

James: For eternity I hope (hugging Laurie and holding it, suddenly a can is heard moving) 

Laurie: (looking behind her) What was that…?

James: It was probably just the wind, just ignoring it (pulling her back into the hug, pauses) If only I could freeze time to cherish this moment forever. What would I do? What can I do?

Laurie: (Pulls away for the hug, still holding on to each other) No.

James: What?

Laurie: If you were to freeze this moment, then I couldn’t bear the thought of not spending the rest of my life with you. Growing old with you. Experiencing life with you. Loving you. 

James: Jesus Laurie… (laughs to himself and pauses briefly) Thank you…

Laurie: For what? 

James: For showing me the meaning of love, that there is light even in the darkest of alleyways, or the darkest paths. For being there for me, caring for me, loving me.

Laurie: I’ve never loved anyone like I love you. I don’t care if I have to spend the rest of my life showing you what I think you deserve. I love your smile and the way you make me lau-

James: (laughs and interrupts her) Shush. Talk too much and my cheeks might fall apart (covers her mouth) 

Laurie: (licks his hand, then laughs)

James: (Pushes Laurie away, and runs from her while looking behind him laughing and wiping his hand)

Laurie looks out onto the street; a musician is on the street with his guitar. Meanwhile, from behind you see James with a sack pulled over his head and he is pulled out of view. 

Laurie: James, come look. (Looks behind her) James…?

Laurie continuously calls James’ name out getting more desperate and worried. She walks further down the street hugging herself in an attempt to reassure herself.

Laurie: This isn’t funny. You’re scaring me. (She calls out, she notices James’ ring on the ground, she then bends down and picks it up)

Laurie then stands up and walks a little further down, a rustle is heard from behind her. She quickly looks behind her but nothing is seen. 

Laurie: Is that you honey? (She then turns around, the camera pans on her for a few seconds and then a rucksack is pulled over her head. She screams. The ring falls from onto the ground and a mysterious person picks up the ring)

Scene Two

News reporter: Good evening reporting from MKI Studios, I’m Natalie Rahl filling in for my colleague, Roe MacMornam. We start off today’s report in the small town of Mindanoe City. The disappearance of yet another couple is setting the country in a heavy state of panic. The victims have been identified to be Laurie Hale and James Woodward; a couple full of life as they were beginning to plan the life they had ahead of them. Laurie Hale’s family has come forward sharing their desperation and worry for their poor daughter. If you have any tips, please report to your local police. Anything could lead to solving this case once and for all, ending all these couple’s disappearances. 

On the other hand, the public has recently begun getting into an outrage over the possibility of the Earth being fla- (Henry turns the radio off and the camera pans to him smoking a cigarette on a public bench holding a ring box)   

Henry: (hums to himself)

Louise: Ugh, yet another missing couple. Really makes you wonder what kind people lurk on the street. Especially in the night (Looks over to Henry) What are you thinking about so deeply?

Henry: Mh… me? Nothing. 

Louise: Are you ever thinking of something? (snarky tone)

Henry: (remains silent)

Louise: Well… I hope you didn’t forget about our reservation tomorrow night. 

Henry: Reservation?

Louise: Muse Saloon? Does the name ring any bells?

Henry: Ah, right. No, I didn’t forget. 

Louise: Right.

Henry: What is it?

Louise: Nothing.

Henry: What is it? (more stern/ persistent)

Louise: Nothing. (higher pitch) Goodnight.

Henry: Goodnight sweetie.

Scene Three

The scene starts with the three couples dining at the Muse Saloon. The two couples seem affectionate, wiping food over their loved one’s mouth, giggles and laughter fill the room. In the middle, sit Louise and Henry seemingly uninterested in each other and eating in complete and utter silence. 

Henry: How’s the food?

Louise: Cold. Distasteful. It’s a pity really.

Henry: My apologies (Gets up from his chair and heads towards Louise) So many people say this is the best restaurant in town. Care for a glass? (Grabs the bottle) 

Louise: Sure.  

Henry: (He pours her a glass and goes and sits back down)

Louise: (takes a small sip from her glass) So how was London? 

Henry: Had a few issues (eats another bite) Had some unfortunate interference.

Louise: Any issues?

Henry: Nothing we couldn’t take care of. 

Louise: (smirks and takes another sip) 

Henry: (Continues to eat his meal) 

Louise: (Wipes her mouth, and looks around her purse)

Henry: Where are you going?

Louise: Ladies’ room (Stands up) Be right back. (Gets up and leaves)

Scenes cuts to Louise in the ladies’ room. She looks at herself in the mirror, fixes her hair then reaches into her purse. She pulls out a red lipstick and applies it slowly. She then closes the lipstick and puts it back into her purse. Meanwhile, another jazz song begins playing in the background. The scene then cuts to the male dancer dancing alone on stage and all the tables empty. As the dance finishes Louise enters the scene once again at the Muse Saloon. She sees the male dancer on stage. The lights turn off. Then on and the dancer is no longer there. 

Louise walks hesitant towards the empty tables clutching her purse. A jazz song is heard in the background. Louise calls out Henry’s name but no response is heard. 

Louise: God… where is that asshole?

 Scene Four

The scene cuts to Henry being tied up onto a chair. There is a gag around Henry’s head as he screams and wriggles around unable to free himself. 

Arthur: She’ll be arriving soon, I’m sure… You’re probably asking yourself why? Nowadays, the newspaper has been less than amusing to read. People need entertainment. Something to make their dull and rather tedious life just that little bit more fun. With my expertise and just the right amount of dirt on my hands, I’ve got the whole town finally having something to watch. I’m more just willing than anyone else in this town to get it done. Are you watching? The curtain call has come. (begins humming, grabs a chair and sits in front of Henry) Sometimes, I find myself a little afraid. Are you enjoying the show? Do you like candle-lit dinners? The quality of food from my highest regards to all of you. 

The scene cuts to Louise calling Henry, but he doesn’t pick up. ‘Come on…’ she mutters to herself. Louise appears to act more frantic as she clutches her necklace and calls once more. She struggles to comfort herself and messes up the dial. She breathes heavily in a fast manner but slows down her breathing and dials again. The scene then cuts to Henry and Arthur in the backstage room.

Arthur: Mhm… how time flies by? (goes to sit back in her former chair)

Henry: (he manages to wriggle himself free from the rope on his hands, and quietly lowers himself and unties the rope around his feet)

Arthur: Sometimes, I find myself a little afraid. Are you enjoying the show? Doesn’t this place charm you? The Muse Saloon. It was this good for nothing theatre. I made it something it could never be. That’s enough of that. Do you like candle-lit dinners? The quality of food from my highest regards to all of you. (the phone rings once again) You should really answer. I’m sure she's worried sick. 

Henry: (stands up and kicks Arthur’s chair knocking him over) Thanks, will do. 

These scenes go back and forth depending on who’s talking. 

Louise: Where have you been?? I’ve been here at this godforsaken restaurant by myself for the past 25 minutes! 

Henry: Go to the back of the restaurant, please hurry. (Arthur appears from behind and bangs Henry’s head onto something to his side, Louise puts down the phone and rushes into the backroom, knocking into a table on her way. Arthur is then seen dragging Henry back and runs to his drawer pulling out a gun. Henry is then seen with blood on his forehead and on the floor slowly backing away from Arthur. A gunshot is heard as Louise opens the door only to find Henry lying in a pool of blood. Louise screams in sheer terror and hurdles towards Arthur knocking the gun out of his hand. Louise is on top of Aurthur and punches him. She crawls to grab the gun but Arthur grabs her ankle and drags her back, in defence Louise kicks Arthur in order to get him off. Louise then continues crawling and grabs ahold of the gun. Arthur appears behind her and wacks her with a piece of wood. Louise is shown a cut across/ purple bruising on her face and shoots Arthur, he falls over as Henry grabs his ankle and yanks himself. Louise then runs over to Henry. 

Louise: Don’t die. Don’t you fucking dare. I’m sorry I’ve been so hard on you. Sometimes, I can’t even sleep. I’m awake to hear the birds chirping and to see the sun rise and I just wonder what if this is it? I’m not like them. I’m not smart or pretty like (takes her hat off) the rest of the women in there. Life is so bleak with you. I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me? 

The scene cuts to Louise’s memory of her and Henry. But in comparison, the shot shows her by herself doing the same action. The lighting has changed into blues and greys. Louise’s movements are very little as she does the bare minimum with no emotion.

The End