Leave the Lights On
A quick two-person short.
INT. APARTMENT, LOUNGE – NIGHT
Wide shot of the room – multiple lamps, all switched on – a blanket draped over the back of the couch etc.
We hear indistinct chatting, and laughter, then an attempt to get keys in the lock. More laughing…
Eventually, the door is unlocked and opens: JANE (female, 20s) and DICK (male, 20s) enter.
DICK
Someone already home?
JANE
Nope – it’s just me…
DICK
You leave all your lights on?
JANE
I know. I know… But, I like having them on when I come home – and they’re all energy saving bulbs!
DICK
(gentle teasing)
Aww… Are you scared of the dark?
JANE
(stepping closer to him)
I used to be. When I was a little girl I was afraid that when I turned off the lights, the monsters that lived under my bed would come out and get me!
DICK
That is adorable – you are adorable…
You don’t need to be afraid now – I’m here to protect you!
He moves towards the light switch, clumsily – slightly drunkenly – stumbles a little.
JANE
No! No – leave them on…
DICK
(at the switch, he stops)
Oh… ok then!
Dick moves towards her – she slips out of his incoming embrace and heads to sideboard. Putting her phone and keys down on top, she bends to open the doors, and looks inside.
JANE
What would you like to drink? I’ve got some wine, I think some tequila.. maybe a little bourbon in here somewhere…
DICK
So when you asked if I’d like to ‘come up for drink’, you actually meant a drink!
JANE
(Mock innocence)
Well of course!
(looking back over her shoulder at him)
What else could I have possibly meant..?
DICK
What indeed?
JANE
(offering the bottle)
Wine?
He gestures agreement, and slumps onto the sofa.
She pours two glasses, and brings them over – reaching across to put one on the table next to him.
He catches her arm, and pulls her on to him, forcibly kissing her.
JANE
Hey! Hang on, slow down.
DICK
What? I’ve got my drink, you’ve got your drink, we’re here – alone…
JANE
(stepping back a little)
Ok, Look – I had a really good time, and I think I like you, but nothing is happening tonight.
Beat. They hold eye contact – she wants to be sure he has understood her.
He holds up his hands in mock surrender, and turns to pick up his wine.
Appeased but cautious, she joins him on the couch.
Not right next to him, but not keeping her distance either.
She sips her wine – he drains his glass in one big gulp.
DICK
(considering the empty glass)
Not bad!
He takes his glass over to the sideboard and pours himself more.
He returns to the couch, and stands uncomfortably close in front of Jane.
DICK
(holding the bottle suggestively)
Fill you up there…?
An uncomfortable beat.
JANE
I think maybe you should go.
DICK
(turning away to put the bottle down)
I’m just joking – lighten up!
JANE
(standing up and staring him down)
I’m not joking – I want you to leave.
DICK
No.
JANE
You’re drunk – Goodnight. I want you to leave.
Dick doesn’t move.
JANE
Ok, get out now or I’m calling the cops.
He still does not move.
She goes for her phone – he snatches it from the counter, stopping her.
Now looking more scared than angry, Jane catches sight of the knife block – on the counter behind Dick. He sneers, and moves towards her, blocking her view of the knives.
She looks towards the door, weighs her options – runs for it…
… gets the door open, but he’s too quick, and catches her – slamming the door shut, and pressing her against it.
Breathing heavily against her – he turns the key – locked.
He throws it across the room.
She sees the light switch, and struggles her arm free – reaching for it –
He catches her wrist:
DICK
I thought you liked the lights on.
JANE
I changed my mind.
She knees him in the crotch, flips the switch, and runs – turning more lights off as she goes.
DICK
Bitch!
He limps after her – we see lights turning off ahead of him.
He walks the way she ran – towards the light spilling from a room at the end of a corridor…
Int. APARTMENT, bedroom – NIGHT
Jane is crouched on the bed, illuminated by a single bedside lamp.
DICK
You’re giving me some mixed messages here.
He moves towards her – she holds out the lamp like a weapon.
JANE
When I said I used to be afraid of the dark, it wasn’t because I stopped believing in monsters…
Click – lights out.
But then, an ominous glow from under the bed…
Across Dick’s face and the wall behind, the shadows of limbs or tentacles unfurl…
CUT TO:
On the wall, in macabre shadow play, we see Dick lifted, shaken, then torn in half.
Crunch. Crunch. Crunch.
Click
CUT TO:
Lights on. In the background: Jane sits on her bed, relieved.
In the foreground: Dick’s legs are dragged into the shadows under the bed.
Click
CUT TO BLACK.