What in the world is wrong with that man?
WALT
Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns.
JOLENE
Horses don’t have horns, Walt.
WALT
You’re too much woman for him is all.
JOLENE
Oh, you. . .
SOUND
THE DINER’S PHONE RINGS.
WALT CROSSES TO ANSWER IT.
WALT
(off) Blue and White. Nope. Hold on.
(calling to Jolene) He comin’ back?
JOLENE
Why?
WALT
Phone call for Victor Rippon. That his name?
JOLENE
Who is it?
WALT
(into phone) Who’s – hello? You still there?
SOUND
THE FAINT HUM OF A DIAL TONE.
WALT
Must notta been important. They hung up.
MUSIC
CHRISTMAS MUSIC.
THRU TO:
EPISODE SCORE.
FADE DOWN.
SOUND
INT. – JAMES’S AND LORI’S HOUSE.
[NOTE: WHAT FOLLOWS IS AN ALTERNATE VERSION OF THE FIRST SCENE IN THIS SCRIPT. THE SAME SETTING AND ACTORS AS BEFORE – BUT THIS TIME THE TONE IS MUCH DARKER AND MORE OMINOUS.] RAIN OUTSIDE + THUNDER (CONTINUING).
SOUND (cont’d)
A KEY IN THE FRONT DOOR. THE DOOR OPENS AND JAMES ENTERS, THE STORM MOMENTARILY LOUDER. HE ALMOST SLAMS THE DOOR SHUT BEHIND HIM.
JAMES
(calling, irritated) Lori?
SOUND
HE CROSSES AND FLINGS HIS KEYS ONTO A TABLE.
JAMES
Where the hell are you?
LORI
James?
SOUND
A PEAL OF THUNDER OUTSIDE.
JAMES
Why’s it so dark in here?
LORI
Is it? I didn’t notice.
JAMES
You don’t notice much, do you? Turn on the lamp. (impatient) Oh, for – I’ll get it.
JAMES
HE CROSSES AND CLICKS A LAMP.
LORI
Did you have another meeting?
JAMES
Don’t give me the third degree. I warned you when we got married. It goes with the territory.
LORI
Well, you’re here now. That’s all that matters. Have you eaten yet?
JAMES
I grabbed some crap on the way.
LORI
You should have called, so I could make dinner. I can whip something up, if you like.
SOUND
(OFF) FROM DOWN THE HALL: THE TWO BOYS IN THE BATHROOM, GIGGLING AND SPLASHING.
JAMES
What are those brats doing now?
LORI
Taking their bath.
JAMES
They take more baths than anybody I’ve ever seen. It’s not natural.
LORI
At least they’re clean. You should be grateful.
JAMES
(dripping sarcasm) Oh, I am. You wouldn’t believe how grateful. Before you came along, I had all the peace and quiet I wanted. Sometimes I wonder. What I did I do to deserve you three?
LORI
You’re the best thing that ever happened to us, James. I knew it the day we met. By the river, remember?
JAMES
You bet I do. I should have drowned the three of you right then and there. I’d be better off.
LORI
(about to cry) Oh, James. . .
SOUND
SHE STARTS TO WALK AWAY.
JAMES
Aren’t you forgetting something?
LORI
I have to see to the boys.
JAMES
Single malt, on the rocks.
LORI
(sighing) Yes, sir.
SOUND
LORI STOPS TO POUR HIM A DRINK, ADDS ICE CUBES AND BRINGS IT TO HIM.
JAMES
(drinking) That’s more like it.
LORI
(with self-control) Anything else?
JAMES
Yeah. A new life.
LORI
(trying) You’ve had a hard day. Why don’t you turn in? I’ll put the boys to bed.
SOUND
SHE STARTS OUT OF THE ROOM AGAIN.
JAMES
Little bastards.
LORI
James, please. You’ve been under a lot of pressure. I understand that. . .
JAMES
Do you?
LORI
I have an idea. Why don’t we – take a vacation? Just the two of us. We could leave the boys at my sister’s. . .
SOUND
THUNDER OUTSIDE.
GIGGLING AND SPLASHING FROM THE BATHROOM.
TAD
(off, sing-song) Ma-ma. . . we’re read-y. . .
RAY
(off) We need you!
JAMES
I have a better idea.
SOUND
JAMES STARTS OUT OF THE ROOM.
LORI
Where are you going?
JAMES
Should have been done long ago.
SOUND
HE MOVES OFF, WALKING AWAY DOWN THE HALL. WE HEAR THE BATHROOM DOOR OPENING.
JAMES
(off) What’s going on in here?
RAY
(off, innocently) Nothing. . .
TAD
(off) We were just playing.
JAMES
(off) Oh, you were, were you?
SOUND
(OFF) THE BATHROOM DOOR CLOSES FIRMLY.
LORI
(calling, close to mic) James?
SOUND
(off) WATER SPLASHING IN THE TUB.
TAD
(off, fearful) Daddy. . .?
RAY
(off, fearful) Daddy, stop!
JAMES
(off) You’re no sons of mine.
SOUND
THE SPLASHING INCREASES.
TAD & RAY
(beginning to scream) No. . . no. . .!
LORI
James!
SOUND
WE FOLLOW HER AS SHE RUNS DOWN THE HALL.
THE SPLASHING AND SCREAMING LOUDER – THEN WEAKER AS SHE OPENS THE BATHROOM DOOR.
INT. – BATHROOM.
LORI BURSTS IN. THE SPLASHES GROW WEAK. THE SCREAMS NOW ONLY GURGLES.
LORI
(horrified) What are you doing?
JAMES
Playing a little game.
LORI
Let go of them!
JAMES
I wanna see how long they can hold their breath.
LORI
You monster! You’re killing them!
SOUND
SHE STRUGGLES WITH HIM. BLOWS. GLASS BREAKS.
JAMES
Go on, take your best shot. Won’t do any good now.
LORI
I’m calling the police!
JAMES
Too late for that. It’s over.
LORI
(as he chokes her) Let go. . .!
JAMES
Don’t you get it? I’m onto you!
LORI
You’re choking me. . .!
JAMES
(straining as he strangles her) Stop faking. You’re not human. You’re straight from Hell!
LORI
You’re insane. . .!
JAMES
You were going to leave me. . . and take it all! Weren’t you! I don’t have a choice!
SOUND
HER CRIES CHOKED OFF AS SHE PASSES OUT. THEN A LARGER SPLASH AS HE DROPS HER IN THE TUB.
JAMES
There. Now. . . I’ll drag the three of you down to the river. An accident. That’s what they’ll say. Or maybe – you drowned them. And yourself. Sure. You were depressed. The house was empty when I got here. Perfect!
SOUND
THUNDER CLAPS.
CUT OFF SUDD
ENLY BY:
THE LOUD RINGING OF A TELEPHONE CLOSE TO MIC.
SOUND (cont’d)
INT. – VICTOR’S HOUSE.
HE FUMBLES THE RECEIVER OUT OF THE CRADLE.
VICTOR
(groggy) Hello?
REX
(filtered) Victor?
VICTOR
Yeah. . .
REX
Something wrong?
VICTOR
Uh, I was just – I must have fallen asleep. I was reading.
REX
You were, huh? Anything good?
VICTOR
Or. . . no, wait. I was having a dream. First it was the story. But it changed. . .
REX
Well, you’re not dreaming now.
VICTOR
No. At least I don’t think so. . .
REX
Great to get ahold of you, Vic. Finally!
VICTOR
Who is this?
REX
Well just who do you think? It’s Rex! Rex Christian!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
FADE DOWN.
ANNOUNCER
We’ll return to Dread Time Stories. . . after this.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
MUSIC
THEME.
ANNOUNCER
And now back to our story. . . “Talking in
MUSIC
THEME.
FADE THRU TO:
SOUND
INT. – VICTOR’S HOUSE – AS BEFORE.
VICTOR
Who?
REX
(filtered) I told you! I got your letter.
VICTOR
You did?
REX
I was passing through, and I thought I’d take you up on your invite. Hope you don’t mind the short notice.
VICTOR
If this is some kind of joke. . .
REX
It’s no joke, believe me. Listen – I’ll hit your town in about, oh, say an hour? I was wondering. Are you free tonight, by any chance?
VICTOR
Uh, I guess so. I mean –
REX
You live alone, right?
VICTOR
Right.
REX
Anybody coming over? For the holidays and all?
VICTOR
Nobody ever comes here.
REX
Perfect. Oh and do one thing for me?
VICTOR
Sure – Rex. Anything.
REX
Don’t mention this to a soul. ’Cause
I’m traveling incognito. You don’t know
REX (cont’d)
how it is when the word gets around.
People gather like flies.
VICTOR
They do? I mean – I bet they do.
REX
Thanks, Vic. I knew you’d understand.
See you in sixty!
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
THRU TO:
SOUND
VICTOR’S BUSY FOOTSTEPS IN THE HOUSE.
BOXES AND FURNITURE SLIDING. POTS AND PANS. A FAUCET HISSING WATER.
NARRATOR
He spent the next hour straightening up. By the time he heard the car outside, he was in a panic. This couldn’t be happening. Could it?
SOUND
(FROM OUTSIDE) A CAR DRIVING OVER CRUNCHNG DIRT, PASSING, AND STOPPING AT A DISTANCE.
THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF.
VICTOR
(to himself) That’s him! What do I do?
What do I say?
SOUND
(FROM OUTSIDE) FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING. THEN A METAL DOOR KNOCKER ON THE WOODEN DOOR (SLIGHT REVERB). VICTOR HURRIES TO OPEN IT.
REX
(cheerful) Vic?
VICTOR
Yes. . .?
REX
Well, put ’er there, pal! How’s it hangin’?
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
FADE THRU TO:
SOUND
A CRACKLING FIREPLACE.
NARRATOR
They sat by the fireplace. Rex was shorter than he expected, a small man, dwarfed by a long overcoat. Victor hardly knew what to say. But that was all right. Rex seemed to be in charge of the dialog.
VICTOR
Do you want to take your coat off?
REX
Don’t worry about me, Vic.
VICTOR
Sorry about the mess.
REX
Are you kidding? This is perfect.
VICTOR
It is?
REX
The furniture – all of it.
VICTOR
My folks saved everything. I should put it in storage.
REX
Why? It’s great! Look at that wall. Souvenirs, medals. . . That your dad’s picture?
VICTOR
Yeah. He was in the Infantry.
REX
The rifle’s a classic.
VICTOR
Prob’ly doesn’t even work anymore.
REX
And the sword. . .
VICTOR
My grand-dad’s. From World War Two. He brought it back from Okinawa. I can’t just throw it away.
REX
Why should you? Nobody could think up details like that.
VICTOR
You could.
REX
Not on your life. I only write what I know.
SOUND
EMPTY BEER BOTTLES SET DOWN ON A TABLE.
VICTOR
I’ll get a couple more beers.
REX
Not for me.
VICTOR
You sure?
REX
One’s plenty. I like to keep a clear head. So I can remember it all.
VICTOR
I guess you have to. So you can – describe things. When you write.
REX
Bingo. And not just things. People. The way they look, how they talk – that’s my bread and butter. So. . . this is where my biggest fan lives!
VICTOR
Pretty far out of the way for you.
REX
Not a problem. It’s worth it.
VICTOR
It is?
REX
More than you know.
VICTOR
Did you. . . have any trouble finding the place? Not much of a road.
REX
No, no. I planned it out in advance. On the map.
VICTOR
You did?
REX
All part of the trip.
VICTOR
Are you on vacation?
REX
Not me. I don’t take time off.
VICTOR
How come?
REX
A writer’s work is never done.
VICTOR
Oh, I get it. You’re on your way to sign books. At bookstores. We don’t have any good ones around here. You have to go to the city for that. Where you headed? Portland? Seattle? If I’da known, I’da closed the shop so I could be there.
REX
Would you really.
VICTOR
Heck, yeah.
REX
Well, you can relax. I don’t do bookstores.
VICTOR
You don’t?
REX
Too many people.
VICTOR
(trying to understand) Really?
REX
The wrong kind of people. The ones who show up out of curiosity. To kill time.
VICTOR
Then your trip’s not for – publicity?
REX
No way.
VICTOR
So then why –?
REX
You might say this is part of my. . . research.
VICTOR
You must do a lot of that.
REX
Whatever it takes to get what I need. I go on a trip like this every year. Rent a car, visit people around the country. I like to s
urprise them. My real fans.
VICTOR
Bet you have plenty.
REX
A few. It’s my way of paying them back.
VICTOR
You have a secretary?
REX
What for?
VICTOR
All the letters. You prob’ly get a ton.
REX
I open every one myself.
VICTOR
You do?
Talking in the Dark Page 3