#longtake

- So. This is the script for a short film I wrote for Dance Cafe, presented by DOTE 2020. It will premiere on July 4, 2020. I’m very excited about it. I want to start writing scripts more often. And start to get involved with television writing, or just writing in general. This was made in collaboration with Jon Keriluk, Colin Kushniruk, Ilenna Cheladyn, And Daria Mikalyuk. Lots of Eastern European power here... Feels very fitting. 

SCENE 1 - UPSTAIRS ARRIVAL 

*we see a fan spinning. After zooming out it appears to be a ceiling fan. The camera starts to move closer to the fan, as we move higher to its nose, then it starts sliding down. It steeply rotates to face downwards and descends upon a person eating sunflowers. We see the top of their head approaching and finally it settles on a pile of seeds. The camera finally rotates horizontal again. *

Close up shot of NPC’s mouth eating sunflower seeds. Their fingernails are bleeding, they are eating furiously. Sipping coffee at times. Shaking. *music escalates until it hits a point of plateau* [1:05]

NPC bites their finger instead of the sunflower seeds, starts bleeding. Camera shakes free of tight close up and is seen to be higher than the person in the chair. Reveal that the camera is a person.

“Aw fuck. OOOHHHH Fuck -  Fuck ah. I’m fucking bleeding. Shit shit shit. where did you come from?Grab me, grab me a bandaid will you? ….Sneaky bastard, fuck...” 

We see a hand emerge from behind the camera. We walk over to a grey bin, shuffle through some paraphernalia and find a bandaid. Close the lid of the bin and head back over to the sunflower seed cripple. 

The POV makes their way back to the NPC and holds the bandaid out to the person. POV stands, waiting. NPC is staring at hands, oblivious. POV takes a step left. Nothing. Takes a step forward. NPC activates. 

NPC snatches the bandaid from the hand and proceeds to put the bandaid on. Fussing and fumbling with it. The POV tries to help, a hand reaching out to help, but the NPC swats them away but their swat lands about a foot in the wrong direction. 

“I don't remember asking you for help.”

The NPC finishes putting on the bandaid. Sips a resigned sip of drink, and looks at the POV. 

“How did you get back so soon? Weren’t you just here?... huh. It was that quick of a job then hey? Well… you must be up for a bigger challenge huh? Bigger fish to fry, bigger shoes to fill! You won’t be needing me in the room anymore then hey sport? I might be the next one you have to ship off - ”

*laughs* ah, I’m just messing with you. You don’t know shit - let's head down.” 

The NPC gestures and starts to get up. The crutches are held in their arms as they limp towards the POV. The POV camera watches as they get up. 

“Grab my drink will you?” [2:03]

The POV goes past the NPC. Hand reaches out, to grab the drink, to look inside to see nothing. There was no drink. They tip the mug but, there’s nothing. It’s  empty. It’s a confusing moment for the POV. Where is the drink if there is none, and what was the NPC drinking?

*from the basement*

“What do you mean ‘it never arrived’?” 

The POV turns to hear this call from the staircase. They look back at the cup, but then proceed to the basement, cup in hand. 

SCENE 2 - basement monologue 

The POC makes it to the end of the stairs, but hears the NPC talking into the phone. The POV peaks around the corner to watch.***

“Yes, I know… You don't have to worry about that. I have everything under control - what do you mean by Thursday? Of course Thursday is fine, they are here - they got here today -they are fine, they are under control, they are under MY control. I have it under Control… Alright… fuck you too. By 5?.... Make it 6. Yes. 6… Good.” 

The NPC hangs up and shakes their head, throwing the phone onto the table. It makes a loud snap, and POV takes that opening and enters. NPC, stands still. Eyes closed. POV comes closer to the NPC. looking at the phone. The phone is receiving a call but the NPC does not pick up. POV is still on the phone as the call is dropped. POV looks back up at the NPC. NPC is looking right at the POV. 

“Sit down Thursday.”

NPC gestures to a couch. POV moves to sit down. 

“...  You have no idea do you...This hasn’t been easy. You really haven’t made this easy… Do you know how many phone calls I’ve gotten today? Hm?... of course you wouldn’t know. You’re still the new kid.” 

NPC grabs the phone on the desk and proceeds to scroll through. They land on a voice message. And presses play. A voice begins and says - 

“We have received word from Wednesday that Tuesday’s shipment was cancelled. But, the arrival of Thursday’s shipment hasn’t arrived yet either. Weekday, you have 24hrs to fix this mess. Where. Are. The. Packages.”

The line cuts out. 

The NPC places the phone onto the table, they take a seat, and sigh. They look at the POV. And hold their hand out. 

“Give me my drink.” 

There is a vacant look in their eyes as the POV takes a moment to register this. They look down into the cup, there is still no liquid in it, they look back up at the NPC. Unblinking unmoving. Frozen. The POV has a moment of stillness before handing the mug over. 

The NPC finally moves, breaking form, and grabbing the mug out of POV’s hands quite forcefully. The NPC cradles the mug as if there were hot liquid in it, and sips accordingly, closes their eyes and sighs. 

“This is a bloody mess. Really. Truly. A fucking bloody mess. Tuesday’s been missing since Tuesday, and at this point locked up who knows where. I bet April fucking got to them again, just all of that chatter about finding February’s 29th... Wednesday’s in full damage control and probably dug in someplace lying low till this all just washes over. Fuck - she’s probably drinking herself to death. And, I suspect the Twins have the operations under siege until this in-fighting subsides. Well, ‘if’ it ever subsides… So. What are we gonna do, hm?...  Tuesday’s a coward, Wednesday is wasting away in drink, and The Twin’s might finally destroy each other, And you… You… The things you’ve done Thursday… ” 

The NPC looks into their cup and finishes the drink

“I’ve seen a lot, being your Weekday.”

There is a pointed glare from the NPC to the POV. The NPC shoves the mug into the POV’s chest. 

“Fill up my drink one last time, and get the fuck out of my house.” 

The NPC goes to sit and to scroll through their phone. POV mug in hand,  gets up. The NPC has one last thing to say. POV wanders back, then returns to the NPC. NPC then says any order of these lines. And will repeat these lines. 

“I’d wish you good luck, but I’d be lying.”

OR

“You’re no better than the rest of them, and you’ll pay for it. Your kind always does.”

OR

“I don't like what you’ve become. Soft, Squishy. You’re no better than these traitors.”

OR

“I’m warning you Thursday. Get out of my fucking house. Do not make me angry.”

[4:20]

POV finally stops walking by the NPC to generate dialogue, and they back up to the stairs. POV turns to look back at the NPC. 

The NPC sighs, and opens up the phone to another voicemail - this time it’s in another language and the voice is angry. POV leaves to go up stairs to fill up the mug. 

POV makes their way back up the stairs. And goes to the sink. They look into the mug, flip it upside down, right side up, place the mug down and then turn on the tap. There is running water. They fill up the mug until it overflows spilling on their hand. They do not react and they just proceed to empty the mug out a little bit, place it down, turn off the tap and walk towards the stairs. 

As they turn, the POV sees the sunflower seeds on the table. The pile of seeds is HUGE. There is finally a moment for the camera to take in how many seeds there are. Then, they notice a piece of paper they did not see before. An image of a faceless person is on the sheet, and a bounty for their head is listed. [4:49]

“WANTED: FOR CRIMES AGAINST THE SOVEREIGN. BOUNTY LVL 5.3 - SUSPECT IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS DO-NOT APPROACH WITHOUT WEAPON. IF YOU HAVE ACCESS TO A WEAPON, PROCEED WITH CAUTION. BOUNTY IS PRONE TO VIOLENCE AT SUDDEN NOTICE. OFFENSES INCLUDE MANSLAUGHTER 1,4,&9. CASTRATION. ARSON. TREASON. DO-NOT ATTEMPT TO DIALOGUE. DO-NOT CALL S.P.S WITHOUT BEING IN DANGER OF LOSING LIMB. S.P.S. DOES NOT HOLD RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OF LIFE DURING CITIZEN ARRESTS...”

The rest of the print is too fine detailed to read. 

The POV picks up a pen nearby, and draws in the features on the wanted poster of someone familiar. They are drawing Weekday. 

 *from the basement*

“What do you mean ‘it never arrived’?” 

The POV turns to hear this call from the staircase. They put the pen down, grab the cup, and then proceed to the basement. 

SCENE 3 - final scene

[5:30]

The POV makes their way down the stairs. They hear the exact same dialogue as the last time they came down. 

“...Yes, I know… You don't have to worry about that. I have everything under control - what do you mean by Thursday? Of course Thursday is fine, they are fine, they are here - they arrive today - they are under control, they are under MY control. I have it under Control… Alright… Fuck you too. By 5?.... Make it 6. Yes. 6… Good.” 

The NPC hangs up, and throws the phone on the table with a *snap*. The POV enters, but with more uncertainty. Emerging from the staircase, there are mugs littered everywhere. On the carpet, on the table, on the couch. Glasses piled high and low. Something isn’t right. They look up at the NPC who has moved closer to them than the last time this scenario played out. They bump into the POV and say-

“Sit down Thursday.”

Exactly as before, the NPC gestures to a couch. The POV moves to sit down, but slower and more wary of all the empty glasses littered around. 

“You really have no idea do you. This, Hasn’t been easy. You really haven’t made this easy… Do you know how many phone calls I’ve gotten today? Hm?... of course you wouldn’t know. You’re still the new kid.” 

NPC grabs the phone on the desk and proceeds to scroll through. They land on a voice message. And presses play. A voice begins and says - [6:10]

“We have received word from Wednesday that Tuesday’s shipment was cancelled. But, the arrival of Thursday’s shipment hasn’t arrived yet either- Thursday. You have to get out of there. The suit has been compromised. I repeat. The suit- ”

The line cuts out. The NPC’s thumb is on the hang up button. They suddenly direct their eyes at the POV. The NPC places the phone onto the table. They hold their hand out. 

“Give me my drink.”

POV has a moment of recognition. They look at the phone, and scan the room, taking time to at all the empty mugs. Empty Mugs. Empty vessels. Shells of former days. You’re next. 

“Can I have my drink now? Please?” 

The POV’s attention is brought back to the NPC. This is not good. The POV looks down into the mug. The water they poured into the cup is there.

The POV hands the mug over, slowly and carefully. The NPC grabs the mug. The phone begins to ring again - Catching the POV off guard - this did not happen before. The NPC goes to drink - and spills water all over themselves. 

They are visibility shocked. The water is causing them to short circuit. The phone goes to voicemail and a familiar voice emerges on the other side - 

“Hello? Yes, I cannot hear you, there is some - interference with your end? No, I am not alone, but I am waiting for the shipment - I have been waiting for 3 days Weekday. 3 WHOLE DAYS. Do you know how many TV dinners I’ve eaten? Hm? I should castrate you the next time I see you, you vile asshole. Making me wait out here on this rock. It’s not even November, but November yelled at me for your mistakes! Are you listening to me? Hellooo? Are - Are you even there?? Am I just yelling to an open ended fucking line??? WHERE IS THE GODDAMN SHIPMENT YOU PIECE OF SHIT - “f

As the above voice note is playing - The POV stands up and makes a move to leave, but the NPC grabs them and knocks them down. There is a tussle, and the NPC is yelling -

“You’re no better than the rest-rest-rest-rest of them, and you’ll FUCKING pay for it. Your kind always does pay - Where is MY PAYMENT??”

OR

“I don't like what I’ve become. I’m no better than these traitors.”

OR

“I’m warning you Thursday. Get out of my FUUUUUCKING HOUUUUUUUUUSE. Don’t make me - aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa -”

The POV manages to escape, running up the stairs and sees another WANTED poster on the door to exit. This was not there before. And in horror, the poster has the name “Thursday” blacked out on the front of the face printed. 

A grunt is heard, as the POV falls to the ground with the NPC holding thier crutch as a weapon. They smile and walk away

Roll credits

___________________________________________________________________

DARIA EXTND LINES…

“We have received word from Wednesday that Tuesday’s shipment was cancelled. But, the arrival of Thursday’s shipment hasn’t arrived yet either. Weekday, you have 24hrs to fix this mess. Where. Are. The. Packages.”