When Yellow Casts a Crimson Shadow by Julie Hoverson (19 Nocturne Boulevard reissue of the week)

Thanks for your patience!  Winter is tough.

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This episode includes graphic violence, archiac psychiatric attitudes and terminology, gaslighting, and misogyny.  It was written intentionally to emulate the style of Italian "GIALLO" thriller films of the 1970s and 80s.

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Hot chicks in peril, black leather-gloved killer, faces through plate glass, badly-dubbed voices, and lots and lots of the red stuff!

Written and produced by Julie Hoverson

Cast List
Dr. Silver - Anthony D.P. Mann
Jessica - Julie Hoverson
Adrienne - Robyn Keyes
Dana - Kate Waterous
Chris - Tanja Milojevic
Inspector Gules - Glen Hallstrom
Manager - Dru Williams
Voice on Phone - Lord Blood-Rah
Cop1 - Desmond Reddick (Dread Media)
Cop2 - Miguel Guerreiro (FearShop.com)
Coroner - Jack Kincaid (Edict Zero)
Detective - Caretaker (Graveyard Show)

Music:  Professor Kliq
Editing and Sound:   Julie Hoverson
Cover: Brett Coulstock

"What kind of a place is it?  Why it's a psychiatrist's office, can't you tell?"

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WHEN YELLOW CASTS A CRIMSON SHADOW

Cast:

[Opening credits - Olivia]

Jessica

Dr. Silver

Dana

Adrienne

Chris

Detective Gules

Manager

Voice

Cop1

Cop2

Detective

Coroner

OLIVIA      Did you have any trouble finding it?  What do you mean, what kind of a place is it?  Why, it's a psychiatrist's office, can't you tell? 

MUSIC

SOUND      LOW MUSIC PLAYS

SOUND     DOOR OPENS

JESSICA     Dr. Silver?

1. SILVER Ah, you must be Jessica. Come in!  Come in.  Your father has spoken of you often.

JESSICA     Mm.  He told me to come to you if I.... needed anything.

1. SILVER Come in! Sit down!  I can't tactfully say I am pleased to see you, but I can heartily say I am most happy to make your acquaintance.

JESSICA     Oh.  Yeah.  Thanks.

SOUND     DOOR SHUTS QUIETLY, SHE CROSSES ROOM AND SITS

1. SILVER There. Now tell me what I can do for you.

JESSICA     Since I moved to Florence, I've - I've been doing really well.  Sleeping.  Even without the drugs.

1. SILVER You haven't been taking your prescriptions?

JESSICA     My doctor back home said I could cut back some - once I started feeling better.

1. SILVER Your doctor--?

JESSICA     Dr. Gelb.  Joan Gelb?

1. SILVER Ah, yes, I am familiar with some of her work. Go on.

JESSICA     Go... on?

1. SILVER You had a reason for coming to me, didn't you?

JESSICA     Oh!  Yes.  [very down] The dreams.

1. SILVER [after a beat] Yes?

JESSICA     Well, I came here to attend university.  And be closer to my father.

1. SILVER He is not in the United States?

JESSICA     No.  He's on diplomatic attachment in the Netherlands - [amused] but I don't understand any Dutch.

1. SILVER [chuckles]

JESSICA     So I found a room with three other girls from the college.  They're all models.  To pay for their classes.  Well, except Dana - she just models for fun...  Sorry.  That's probably not important. 

1. SILVER Don't let it worry you. Go at your own pace.

JESSICA     Can I have a piece of paper?

1. SILVER You want to take notes? [teasing]  That's really my job.

JESSICA     No, no!  It helps me concentrate.  Please?

SOUND     PAPER RIPPED FROM NOTEBOOK, PASSED OVER

JESSICA     Thank you.

SOUND     PAPER FOLDED, TORN - UNDER THROUGHOUT

JESSICA     So, Dana, Chris, and Adrienne - are all gorgeous.  I'm the mouse.  [heavy sigh] Don't get me wrong - they're all very nice.

1. SILVER But you are a bit jealous?

JESSICA     They've all got legs all the way up to their shoulders!

1. SILVER [musing] A woman with legs up to her shoulders might be missing a heart.

JESSICA     [startled, laughs, relaxes a bit]  I like that.  But, they're nice - really nice.

1. SILVER You're lucky. Good friends are hard to find.

JESSICA     Yes... [trails off, sighs, then absently]  The dream.

1. SILVER Whenever you're ready.

JESSICA     You're going to think I'm horrible!

1. SILVER Nonsense. Dreams are primarily symbolic, and everyone dreams about things they are embarrassed by.  I promise not to judge you.

JESSICA     [gulps, long breath] In the dream, I come home.  Our apartment is on the top floor, so I walk up and up the endless stairs.  It's the type that goes round and round an open space.  [her voice slowly picks up an echo, as if in a stairwell] You know, where you can look all the way down to the ground floor - as long as you don't have to worry about vertigo?

SOUND [under]      FOOTSTEPS ECHOING UP THE STAIRWELL

1. SILVER Mm.

JESSICA     And the door was ... open.

JESSICA [under] Hello?

JESSICA     I pushed it the rest of the way, and went in.  And everything was red.  Red on the walls.  I couldn't understand.  All I could think was - did we repaint?

1. SILVER Yes?

JESSICA     And then I looked up and saw the light fixture.  It was red too.  Red and dripping.  [slowly] Slowly dripping.

1. SILVER [after a pause] Is that when you woke?

JESSICA     [hollow, numb] No.  [coming back]  Can I have another piece of paper?  I'll trade you.

1. SILVER A crane? Very nice.

JESSICA     It was... part of my therapy.

SOUND     PAPER RIPS, PASSED OVER, MORE FOLDING BEGINS

1. SILVER Still... very nice.

JESSICA     Thanks.  [deep breath]  I went into the next room.  [half a chuckle]  Out of the foyer into the frying pan.  [lame laugh]  You must think I'm awful, to be able to joke at a time like this!

1. SILVER No. Humor is a very common way to deal with painful circumstances.  Don't concern yourself with what I think.

JESSICA     Adrienne was in the sitting room.  [trying not to choke up]  Dead.  She was - all cut up, and the mirror next to the kitchen door was smashed and bloody.  I could see my reflection in the shards ....sticking ...out of her ...eyes.

JESSICA [tinny] [screams]

1. SILVER [after a short moment] Was that where the dream ended?

JESSICA     [trying to be chipper]  Yes.  Just that.  Just... seeing her dead.

1. SILVER I'd... like to venture an interpretation of this dream that might help you... come to terms with it.

JESSICA     Yes?

1. SILVER It's a manifestation of a deep-seated jealousy.

JESSICA     I'm not jealous!

1. SILVER It's normal - don't worry. She's a beautiful model and you want to see yourself in her eyes as she appears to yours. 

JESSICA     [brightening] Really?  But it was so bloody.

1. SILVER Symbolism again. Red is the color of jealousy and passion.  Nothing more.

MUSIC

SOUND     HER FOOTSTEPS ECHO UP ENDLESS STAIRWAY

SOUND     HEAVY FOOTSTEPS BELOW

SOUND     HER FOOTSTEPS STOP

SOUND     A COUPLE OF HEAVY FOOTSTEPS, APPROACHING

SOUND     HER FOOTSTEPS, RUNNING UP THE STAIRS

SOUND     SHE PAUSES AGAIN

JESSICA     [heavy breathing, trying to be quiet and listen]

SOUND     NO FOOTSTEPS

SOUND     THUMPING SOUNDS APPROACH - SETS OF FOUR

SOUND     TURNS OUT TO BE A BALL COMING DOWN THE STAIRS

SOUND     SHE CATCHES THE BALL

JESSICA     [sigh, chuckle]

CHILD     [strangely bland] My ball!

JESSICA     [gasp, almost a scream]  Oh!  [more normal] I've got it.

SOUND     HER STEPS BEGIN AGAIN

MUSIC

SOUND     DOOR OPENS

DANA     [lecturing] I only eat chocolate off a man.

JESSICA     [gasp]

CHRIS     Ha!  What a line to come in on!  Dana was just explaining her perfect diet plan.

ADRIENNE     It makes perfect sense - work up a sweat, then have all the chocolate you want!

JESSICA     You girls.

DANA     Don't tell me you wouldn't, if you had a chance?

JESSICA     Well...

CHRIS     Maybe she doesn’t like chocolate!

ADRIENNE     Maybe she doesn't like men.

JESSICA     I like chocolate!  My father sent me some cocoa - the good Dutch kind.

DANA     I'm surprised you like men any more, Adrienne, after all that bastard Alberto put you through.

ADRIENNE     Don't get me started.  [beat]  You should really be allowed to shoot men when you're through with them. 

CHRIS     I'd have a trail of bodies stretching to the sunset.

JESSICA     Are there any more of those apples?

DANA     Catch!

SOUND      CATCHING AN APPLE

CHRIS     What would we do when we run out of men?

ADRIENNE     [bitter, haunted] Not all men, just the ones who want to track you down and torment you.

DANA     He didn’t!

CHRIS     Again?

JESSICA     [bites into apple, then chewing]  What?

DANA      You should tell her.

ADRIENNE     It makes me sound like such a victim.

DANA     Why do you think she never does bikini shots?

CHRIS     She's moved three times in the past year - but he always finds her.

DANA     She's got the scars to prove it.

MUSIC

SOUND     SOFT MUSIC PLAYS

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS OPEN, HURRIED FEET ENTER

JESSICA     It  happened again!

1. SILVER Calm down, Jessica.

JESSICA     I'm - I'm so sorry to burst in here like this--

1. SILVER Sit down.

JESSICA     But I - I can't concentrate on anything today--

SOUND     PAPER RIPPING FROM NOTEBOOK

1. SILVER Here. Now sit.

SOUND     SHE SNATCHES THE PAPER, FLAPS IT

JESSICA     Thank you.  Are you sure it's ok?

1. SILVER I've got plenty of paper.

JESSICA     [chuckles] No, I mean-- [sighs] Thank you.

SOUND     SHE SITS, BEGINS FOLDING

JESSICA     I feel like such a fool.

1. SILVER It obviously upset you. Sharing will make you feel better.  You had another dream?

JESSICA     No!  That's the weird part - it was the same dream!

1. SILVER The same?

JESSICA     Well, it started the same.  Going up the stairs, and the blood on the light, and ... [almost a whisper] Adrienne.

1. SILVER And...?

JESSICA     It was all the same - except the ending. 

1. SILVER How did it end, then?

JESSICA     It didn't.  I mean - it went on, from where I woke up before. 

1. SILVER Hmm.

JESSICA     I was staring at myself in the mirror shards - but then I realized it wasn't me.  Not Jessica.  Not this time - that was different. 

1. SILVER Who was in the reflection?

JESSICA     I think it was.... the killer!

[NOTE - now the voices in the consulting room are tinny, as the scene plays out underneath]

SOUND     [repeat of Jessica's scream from the first dream, which trails off into a weird noise of breathing]

SOUND     FOOTSTEPS WALK SLOWLY THROUGH SQUISHY BLOODY PUDDLE

1. SILVER Be as specific as you want. You won't shock me.  You can give me every detail.

JESSICA      I can smell the blood.  It's everywhere. 

1. SILVER It's quite a distinctive smell.

JESSICA      Yes.

SOUND     DOOR PUSHED SLOWLY OPEN, FOOTSTEPS MOVE INTO DRY SPACE

SOUND     SQUEAK AS KNIFE IS CLEANED OFF - LEATHER AGAINST METAL

SOUND     FOUR TAPS OF KNIFE AGAINST WOOD

JESSICA      It was Dana's room.  And she was sleeping.

1. SILVER So this was nighttime?

JESSICA      [slightly confused] I don't know.  Dana sleeps late. 

1. SILVER Jessica - in the dream, are you Jessica, or are you the killer?

JESSICA      I - I'm not sure.  I'm not... thinking in the dream, just seeing and feeling... and smelling.  I can't see a face - even in the mirrors - I just knew it was the killer looking back at me, but I couldn't tell you what he...I...looked like.

1. SILVER [too interested] What are you wearing?

JESSICA      Boots.  Black.  Leather gloves.  I move toward Dana's bed...

SOUND     CREAK OF THE LEATHER GLOVES

1. SILVER Do you stab her too?

JESSICA      [offhand] Oh, Adrienne wasn't stabbed - at least... that wasn't how she died.  She was strangled. 

SOUND     CREAK OF LEATHER

DANA     [gasps, awakens, tries to breathe]

SOUND     CLAWING AT LEATHER, SHAKING OF BED, POUNDING

1. SILVER And then she died?

JESSICA      Oh, no.  That would be too quick.  I let up just in time - she's out.

1. SILVER [licks his lips] Do you tie her up?

JESSICA      Yes.  I tie her to the bed frame.  Up and down.

1. SILVER What is she wearing?

JESSICA      A scarlet negligee.  She got it after one of her modeling shoots - the picture is on the wall over the bed.  Huge.  Her.  Posed in red.  Enticing.

SOUND     [tinny] CRUMPLE OF PAPER

1. SILVER And then...?

JESSICA      [coming out of it]  I-I- can I have another piece of paper?

1. SILVER [breathing a bit heavily, trying to calm down] Of course.

SOUND     PAPER TORN RATHER CLUMSILY OUT OF NOTEBOOK - RIPS IN HALF

1. SILVER Damn. What will you make?

SOUND     TEARS ANOTHER PIECE, SHE SNATCHES IT AWAY FROM HIM, BEGINS FOLDING

JESSICA      A box.  I feel like I'm in a box.

1. SILVER Perhaps you should make something more... open. Something you can get out of.

JESSICA      Maybe next time.

1. SILVER All right. Was there more to the dream?

JESSICA      A little.  After Dana woke up. 

1. SILVER [trying to hide his excitement] What happened?

JESSICA      [evasive] I just... killed her.

MUSIC ESCALATES

SOUND     STABBING - SETS OF FOUR

DANA     [Screaming, begging, gurgling]

SOUND     SPLATTER

DANA     [gurgling]

SOUND     A COUPLE MORE KNIFE STABS

DANA     [death rattle]

SOUND     DRIPPING

SOUND     WIPING KNIFE WITH GLOVES AGAIN

MUSIC

SOUND     FOOTSTEPS IN STAIRWELL, STOP FOR A SECOND

SOUND     FAR AWAY, DOOR OPENS

JESSICA     [sigh]

SOUND     TWO STEPS

SOUND     DOOR NEARBY SLAMS OPEN

SOUND     FEROCIOUS DOG!!!!!

JESSICA     [screams, then smothers it]

SOUND     SCRABBLING OF DOG NAILS ON TILE FLOOR

JESSICA     Mrs. Amarelo!  Mrs. Amarelo!  Please!

MUSIC

SOUND     TEAPOT WHISTLING, TAKEN OFF, WATER POURS

JESSICA     [talking loudly to someone in another room] She really needs to keep that dog on a shorter leash.  She's lucky I didn't jump back and fall down the stairs.

SOUND     DOOR OPENS, SLIPPERED FEET IN

DANA     [half awake]  Mm.  Coffee?

JESSICA     [silly!] Cocoa.  [gasp] Oh!

DANA     You don't like it?  It's imported French lace.

JESSICA     I'm just not used to--

DANA     And red is such a good color on me.

ADRIENNE     [calling from the other room] --she's just shy.

SOUND     FOOTSTEPS COME IN

ADRIENNE     [close] Haven't you ever wondered, Jessica?

JESSICA     [disturbed]  Wondered... what?

SOUND     A COUPLE OF STEPS

DANA     Mmm?

ADRIENNE     What it would be like with a woman?

JESSICA     [disturbed] Um - no.  Uh, I don't even know anyone who does--

ADRIENNE     Anyone who you KNOW does, anyway.

JESSICA     Um... I guess.

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS OPEN

CHRIS     [freaking out, out of breath] Oh, god! 

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS SHUT, BODY THUMPS AGAINST IT

ADRIENNE     What's wrong?  Sit down!

SOUND     DOOR LOCKS

JESSICA     Cocoa?

CHRIS     Thanks!  [sips, then shudders in a breath]

ADRIENNE     What happened?

CHRIS     [gasping it out] On the street.  A gun! It was so loud! 

DANA     Someone was shot?  I'm phoning the police.

ADRIENNE     Give her a minute!  She's nearly hysterical!

CHRIS     No!  No!  Call them!  The sooner I tell, the sooner he'll be caught!

JESSICA     Did you see the guy?

CHRIS     Uh-huh! [yes]

MUSIC

SOUND     LOW MUSIC PLAYS

SOUND     PAPER FOLDING

JESSICA     I have this awful feeling--

1. SILVER Yes?

JESSICA     That this is all... some kind of premonition.

1. SILVER You think you're seeing something that might happen in the future?

JESSICA     It would make so much sense.

1. SILVER Is there anything in the dream that makes you think it will happen?

JESSICA     Like what?

1. SILVER Something with the date? A newspaper, perhaps?

JESSICA     [concentrating]  Mmm, no.  None of us really reads the papers.  Magazines, yes, but they don't come out that often.  [beat] And they all kind of look the same.

1. SILVER Have you ever had a dream - any dream - come true in the past?

JESSICA     What?  [half a chuckle] No!

1. SILVER Then I think you are safe. [teasing, fatherly] But make sure to lock your door.

JESSICA     [laughs a bit]

1. SILVER [getting back on track] So. The dream came back.  Again.

JESSICA     [quiet, sad] Yes.

1. SILVER And it was--?

JESSICA     Longer.

1. SILVER [avid] So once again, you saw your first two friends strangled and tortured and-- [swallows] mutilated.

JESSICA     Yes. 

1. SILVER And then? What about your third friend - what was her name?

JESSICA     Chris.  [numb]  Chris was in the hall.  She must have heard the commotion with Dana.  I... feel like the killer was - ummmm - surprised.  Like he didn't expect her to be there.

1. SILVER Why do you say that?

JESSICA     I don't know.  Just that he - I - had to chase her down.

1. SILVER Be specific.

JESSICA     I came out of Dana's bedroom--

[office voices go tinny]

SOUND     SQUISHING FOOTSTEPS, WIPE FEET AND STEP ONTO TILE

SOUND     DOOR OPENS

CHRIS     Dana?  What?  Oh, god!  [screams]

JESSICA     I hesitate, stunned.  Just long enough for her to run back into her room.

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS

SOUND     HEAVY FEET RUN, SLAM INTO DOOR

CHRIS     [muffled] No!  No!

SOUND     SLAM INTO DOOR, WOOD CREAKS AND CRACKS

JESSICA     There's such a - a rush as the door gives way.

1. SILVER Where is Chris?

JESSICA     She's pressed again the window, outlined in light from the pink and red neon across the street.

1. SILVER Ahhhh. What is she wearing?

JESSICA     Silk.  A blue slip--

1. SILVER Blue? Are you sure?

JESSICA     Yes.  Why?

1. SILVER The neon light - it might be deceptive.

JESSICA     I saw it in the hall.

1. SILVER Ahhh. What color is her hair? 

JESSICA     Chris?  She has long straight blonde hair. 

1. SILVER And very pretty.

JESSICA     Yes.

1. SILVER Mmmmm.

SOUND     WINDOW SLAMS OPEN

JESSICA     I raise the knife and she screams again, trying to climb out the window.

1. SILVER Can she?

JESSICA     We're six stories up.  That's why there's all those stairs.

1. SILVER Do you... cut her?

JESSICA     Better.  I set the knife aside again--

SOUND     LEATHER ON METAL

JESSICA      --and take her by the throat.  The black leather of the gloves looks strange in the neon pink glow - especially against her pale white throat.

1. SILVER Does she struggle?

JESSICA     Like a fiend.  She strikes and kicks, but it is all in vain.  [coming out of it] The killer must be a man.

1. SILVER [startled out] Um? Of course--  Um, [swallows, clears throat] The um - the killer in the dream.

JESSICA     That's what I meant.

1. SILVER Right. More paper?

SOUND     RIPS PAPER OUT OF NOTEBOOK

JESSICA     Thanks.

SOUND     TAKES IT, STARTS FOLDING

1. SILVER You've made me quite a little collection here. What’s this one?

JESSICA     A knife. 

1. SILVER [amused] A paper knife. And this?

JESSICA     A shrew.

1. SILVER No more cranes?

JESSICA     Cranes are peaceful.  I haven't been feeling very... peaceful.

1. SILVER Do you want to continue?

JESSICA     Don't you have another appointment?

1. SILVER No. Your case is fascinating, so I cleared some extra time for you.

JESSICA     Oh.  All right.

1. SILVER At least follow the dream to the conclusion.

JESSICA     Where was I?

1. SILVER [too quick] You were strangling Chris.

SOUND     STRANGLING NOISES UP AGAIN

SOUND     HAND POUNDING AGAINST GLASS

[voices go tinny again]

JESSICA     Right.  Then she passed out.

SOUND     STRUGGLE STOPS, SQUEAK OF HAND SLIDING DOWN PANE

1. SILVER Gooood.

SOUND     ROPE PASSING THROUGH HANDS

1. SILVER And--?

JESSICA     I took the cord from the blinds and wrapped it around her neck.

1. SILVER Strangling her? Again?  Why?

JESSICA     It wasn't tied that tight.

1. SILVER Then, what?

JESSICA     Then I cut her a little.  Not deep.  Just enough to see red - just enough for the blood to flow.  Shoulders.  Thighs.  Chest.  It took a long time for her to wake up again.

1. SILVER Did you cut her blue slip off?

JESSICA     It's not blue any more.  Now it's wet and dark in strange rivulet patterns.  So is the floor.

1. SILVER And then?

JESSICA     Her eyes open - and once again I see my own reflection twice in one face.  And this time I can almost make out who I am.  If it weren't for that darn pink neon, I might be able to.

1. SILVER Does SHE recognize you?

JESSICA     [dismissively] Maybe.  She tries to scream.  But I already gagged her.  [little sigh]  She was asleep a long time.

1. SILVER Uh-huh?

JESSICA     I pull her up by her hair - her long blonde lovely hair.  The word "tresses" pops into my mind.

1. SILVER Tresses. That's a good word.

JESSICA     She squirms and tries to escape.  Her eyes plead with me.  But I don't waver.  I show her the knife and she closes her eyes.  I run the hilt of the knife over her forehead and she squeals - when really all I want to do is press her eyelids open.

1. SILVER She can't understand that, can she?

JESSICA     I just want her to see.  She was always a big one for seeing things.

1. SILVER See what?

JESSICA     The window.

1. SILVER Is there something outside?

JESSICA     Not yet.

1. SILVER Oh?

JESSICA     As soon as her eyelids flutter open, I turn her toward the window and slam her face into it, shattering the glass.  Something breaks in her, too, and I hear her muffled agony.

1. SILVER Her nose?

JESSICA     I don't know, since as soon as the glass is gone, I push her out.

1. SILVER On the cord?

JESSICA     She dances so prettily. 

1. SILVER Do the people outside see?

JESSICA     No, the music from the club with the neon is very loud, and no one ever looks up.

1. SILVER What about the blood?

JESSICA     I don’t know.  I woke up.

1. SILVER [breathing heavily, calming down]

JESSICA     What do you think?

1. SILVER We definitely have some work to do. You'll see me each afternoon for a while - can you promise me you will?

JESSICA     Of course, if you think it's important.

1. SILVER Very. And here is my home number--

SOUND     SCRIBBLING ON A CARD

1. SILVER --In case anything else comes to mind.

JESSICA     You're sure you don't mind if I call you?

1. SILVER No. Of course not.  In fact, I insist.  I am here for you.

MUSIC

AMB     STREET, NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE AROUND

SOUND     JESSICA'S STEPS, HURRYING

SOUND     A STRANGE TAPPING NOISE - SETS OF FOUR - GETTING CLOSER

SOUNDS     SHE SPEEDS UP

SOUND     THE TAPPING GETS CLOSER

SOUND     SHE SPEEDS UP MORE

JESSICA     [gasping]

SOUND     GRAB AND FLING OPEN DOOR

SOUND     FEET RUN INTO BUILDING

SOUND     DOOR SLAMS SHUT

JESSICA     [breathing heavily] 

SOUND     TAPS GO PAST OUTSIDE

JESSICA     [sighs, almost laughs]

MANAGER     [off slightly] Scotomaphobia?

JESSICA     [gasps]

SOUND     THUMP AS SHE RECOILS

JESSICA     What?  Mr. Cramoisie?  You - you startled me!

SOUND     CIGARETTE CRUSHED OUT

MANAGER     The fear of going blind.

JESSICA     Huh? Me?

MANAGER     I saw you run from the white stick.  [chuckles] And I don't know a word for fear of a blind man.

MUSIC

SOUND     DOOR OPENS TENTATIVELY

JESSICA     [clearly worried] Hello?

ADRIENNE     Jess?  Is there something wrong?

JESSICA     [sigh of relief]  No.  Nothing.  Glad to be home.

SOUNDS     STEPS COME IN, DOOR SHUTS

SOUND     REMOVING COAT, ETC.

DANA     I was just putting on some tea - want some?

JESSICA     No, thanks.  Save me some water, though?

ADRIENNE     You and your cocoa.  Come in here - we’ve got company.

SOUND     A FEW SLOW STEPS

JESSICA     Oh?  Hello.

GULES     Ah.  This must be your other roommate.  Very pleased.  Four such lovely ladies, [slightly ominous] all alone.

CHRIS     This is Detective Gules.  That is Jessica.  Sit down Jessie. 

JESSICA     Detective?

SOUND     CHAIR CREAKS AS SHE SITS

CHRIS     He's investigating - um - [whispered] what I saw yesterday.

GULES     We suspect the murder she witnessed was gangster-related, and are concerned for her safety.  Your safety, too.  This isn't a very secure building.  You don't even have grilles on the windows.

DANA     Pssht!  We're six floors up!  Who needs grilles!  Here, Jess.  Water--

SOUND     MUG SET DOWN

DANA     And your precious cocoa.

SOUND     TIN

SOUND     SPOON DROPPED INTO MUG

DANA     [to the room, teasing] I wouldn't dare measure it for you.

JESSICA     [laughs]  That's perfect, Dana, thanks. 

SOUND     MIXES UP THE COCOA

GULES     I'm trying to convince Chris to let me take her into protection.  [getting darker] We want to make sure she stays where we can put our hands on her.

MUSIC

SOUND     PHONE PICKED UP

JESSICA     Hello? 

VOICE     [harsh whisper]  Four girls.  Could be three.  Or one.

JESSICA     Who is this?  You're scaring me.

VOICE     Will it be you?

JESSICA     I'm hanging up now!

SOUND     PHONE SLAMMED DOWN

DANA     [worried] Jess?  Who was that?

JESSICA     A heavy breather.  You know the type.

DANA     I didn’t even hear the phone ring.

JESSICA     Oh?  Umm... I must have picked it up just as it was starting.  Who did you think it was?

DANA     Oh, Michel.  My brother.  He's been asking for money again. 

JESSICA     What's wrong this time?

DANA     Same old shit.  Someone's going to break his legs.  Someone's going to kill his dog.  [disgusted noise]  He ran through his half of the inheritance years ago.

JESSICA     And you don't feel sorry for him?

DANA     I felt one hundred thousand dollars sorry for him, and that was in the first month after he flushed all his cash down one toilet and another.  Since then.  [shrug]  Not so damn sorry.

MUSIC

SOUND     SNORING [Dr. Silver]

SOUND     PHONE RINGS

SOUND     PHONE PICKED UP

1. SILVER [not awake] mmm Hello?

JESSICA     [on phone, hysterical] Doctor?  Please?  Something terrible has happened!

1. SILVER [snapping awake, but still groggy] Jessica? Wha-what's going on?

JESSICA     [on phone] You have to come, Doctor!  I need help!  [backs off and screams]

SOUND     [on phone] PHONE DROPS, THUMPS A FEW TIMES.

SOUND     BED CLOTHES FLUNG OFF

MUSIC

SOUND     DOC'S FEET COMING UP THE STAIRS, QUICKLY

601. SILVER [reading door numbers] 601... 602...?

JESSICA     [moan] 

1. SILVER Jessica? What has happened?

JESSICA     D-doctor? 

1. SILVER Come out here. My god - what--?

JESSICA     A nosebleed.  I - I get them sometimes.

1. SILVER With the dreams?

JESSICA     Uh-huh.

1. SILVER Why are you out here in the hall?

JESSICA     I didn’t want to wake anyone.

1. SILVER They're your friends. They will surely understand.  Let's go inside.  [suave] Maybe have some of your famous cocoa?

JESSICA     [small laugh]  That would be nice.

1. SILVER Invite me in?

SOUND     DOOR OPENS

JESSICA     You're invited.

SOUND     A COUPLE OF STEPS, A SLIGHT SQUISH

1. SILVER [slight shock] What?

MUSIC

JESSICA     [sips, then] The dream was sooo bad this time.

1. SILVER [grunt]

JESSICA     Then I found these--

SOUND     SLAP OF LEATHER GLOVES

JESSICA     And suddenly everything started to be so real.  But it can't be, can it?

1. SILVER [grunt]

JESSICA     I hoped I would wake up, and the gloves would be gone, but here they are.

SOUND     GLOVES CREAK

1. SILVER [agreeing grunt]

JESSICA     It's really good isn't it?  Is it too hot for you?

1. SILVER [slight overreaction negative grunt]

JESSICA     My father sent it.  From the Netherlands.  He's always somewhere else.  I mean somewhere else from where I am, anyway.  Did I tell you how my mother died?

1. SILVER [negative]

JESSICA     She committed suicide when I was 5.  I found her.  Dr. Gelb says that's why I can't sleep.  She says I can never forget my mother's dead eyes.  

1. SILVER Hmm?

JESSICA     They looked at me, but they weren't really her any more, you know?

1. SILVER Hmm.

JESSICA     [briskly] But this is all beside the point.  I'm so glad the girls are heavy sleepers.  So we can talk.

1. SILVER Mm-hmm.

JESSICA     [very important]  I finally saw myself in the dream.

1. SILVER Mmm?

JESSICA     I mean, I, in the killer's eyes, saw me - Jessica.  Do you know how frightening that could be?  The idea that I could not only watch myself be butchered, but that I would somehow be behind the eyes of the one doing it?

1. SILVER [sigh]

JESSICA     [sips] 

SOUND     SETS DOWN CUP, PICKS UP PIECE OF PAPER, STARTS FOLDING

JESSICA     Somehow, when I have a piece of paper in my hands, the dream fades into something that might have been on the television.

1. SILVER Hmm.

JESSICA     [beat, then] Once Chris was dead, the killer must have pulled her back in.  She was on the bed, starred with glass in the dark.  Pink stars, catching the neon.

1. SILVER Mmm.

JESSICA     I watch his black gloved hand push open my own bedroom door.  I'm lying on the bed, tossing in my sleep. 

1. SILVER Umm.

JESSICA     The knife in my - his - hand leads me to the bed.  To the woman.  To me.

1. SILVER Umm?

JESSICA     [agreeing] I know. 

SOUND     [off slightly]  DOOR SLAMS OPEN

JESSICA     What?

COP1     [off] Oh my god!

COP2     [off] [trying not to hurl]

SOUND     HER SQUISHY, STICKY BARE FOOTSTEPS

JESSICA     [way too calm, calling]  Chris?  Did you call for the police?  [to the police] You should have knocked.

COP1     What the hell?  What... the ... hell!

COP2     Is all that...blood?

JESSICA     What?  Oh, the nosebleed.  Sorry, I should have changed into something fresh.  Would you like some cocoa?

COP1     [calling back over his shoulder] Watch where you step!

MUSIC    

SOUND     GURNEY AFTER GURNEY BEING WHEELED OUT BEHIND THEM

SOUND     DOG BARKING DOWN THE HALL, KEEPS GOING

COP1     It's bad, sir.

COP2     You might want some shoe covers.

DETECTIVE     Who could have done such an awful thing?

COP2     Someone crazy.  Truly out of his mind.

DETECTIVE     Or her mind.

COP1     Do you have any reason to suspect a woman?

DETECTIVE     [shrug] I suspect everyone.  How many bodies?

CORONER     Four bodies.  And one clinging to life.

DETECTIVE     And the smell?

CORONER     Rotting flesh.  [long sniff]  Been lying here several days, if I don't miss my guess. 

MUSIC

end