REX
You never know. Take yours, for example.
VICTOR
You read it – personally?
REX
Duh. And guess what? It was the best.
VICTOR
(disbelieving) Sure.
REX
You think I’m lying? That’s one thing I never do. And neither do you. I could tell. Yours was the real deal. Straight
REX (cont’d)
from the heart. That’s why I put it at the top of the list.
VICTOR
The – list?
REX
For my research. They don’t get any better than that.
VICTOR
You didn’t have to come all this way.
REX
Of course I did. I had to see for myself.
VICTOR
See?
REX
What it’s like. Nothing beats the old one-on-one.
VICTOR
Afraid I’m pretty boring.
REX
Yeah, right. I know how to read between the lines. You laid it out right here in your letter.
SOUND
REX TAKES THE LETTER OUT OF HIS COAT POCKET AND UNFOLDS THE PAGES.
VICTOR
You carried it with you?
REX
Sure did.
VICTOR
I figured you’d just toss it.
REX
How could I? It’s part of my job.
VICTOR
I thought you’d be – a very private person. Being a celebrity and all.
REX
Oh, I am. Except when it comes to my fans. They’re the raw material. I like
REX (cont’d)
to go to the source of the Nile, if you know what I mean.
VICTOR
Even someplace like this?
REX
Especially someplace like this.
VICTOR
But it’s so far out of the way. . .
REX
It’s perfect.
VICTOR
(reasoning it out) So. . . you really do care. About the people who read your books.
REX
You don’t know the half of it.
VICTOR
That’s the reason you have so many fans. ’Cause you care. And because you always tell the truth.
REX
I do my best.
VICTOR
(enthusiasm growing) The real truth. What it’s like – at least the way it should be.
REX
Should?
VICTOR
I mean – in your stories, people get what they deserve. No matter what.
REX
You better believe it.
VICTOR
I do!
REX
Good, that’s good.
VICTOR
It’s what gives me hope. That there’s
VICTOR (cont’d)
gonna be justice, sooner or later. For the ones who have it coming.
REX
I couldn’t put it better myself. And what do you deserve, Vic?
VICTOR
Me?
REX
Who else are we talking about?
VICTOR
Hm. That’s a hard question.
REX
Why?
VICTOR
I don’t have much of a life now. In case you couldn’t tell.
REX
Don’t sell yourself short.
VICTOR
I didn’t used to be this way. I was a people-person. But that didn’t work out.
REX
Gotcha.
VICTOR
I’m gonna be more of a project-type person from now on.
REX
I think that’s great.
VICTOR
You do?
REX
Because it just so happens. . . there’s a little project you could help me with. That is, if you’re interested.
VICTOR
What is it? A new book?
REX
Bingo.
VICTOR
Oh, man, would I like to hear about that.
VICTOR (cont’d)
If you can talk about it, I mean.
REX
Of course I can – with you. In fact, I can’t think of anybody I’d rather work with.
VICTOR
What’s the plot?
REX
An epidemic. I’m still roughing it out, but I can see where it’s going.
VICTOR
What kind of epidemic?
REX
That’s where the research comes in.
VICTOR
(quickly) I’m good at research. Just tell me what you need. There’s a library in town. I can look things up, make copies –
REX
No good.
VICTOR
They even have a computer. I could go on the Internet –
REX
Too much trouble.
VICTOR
I’m a quick learner.
REX
I’m sure you are. But that’s the long way around.
VICTOR
You wouldn’t have to pay me or anything. It would be an honor.
REX
I want to make this as easy as possible for you, Vic.
VICTOR
Tell me what to do, and I’ll start tomorrow morning.
REX
I’m afraid that’s too late.
VICTOR
This is a holiday. Everything closed early. If you want to start right away. . .
REX
We’ve already started.
VICTOR
We have?
REX
You better believe it.
VICTOR
Well, then. . . what do you need?
REX
Your feelings.
VICTOR
My feelings?
REX
In your own words.
VICTOR
Who’d care about that?
REX
You’d be surprised. Here we go. Ready, set –
VICTOR
I don’t know how.
REX
Come on. You can do it.
VICTOR
What do you want me to say?
REX
The truth. That’s all.
VICTOR
I don’t even know what that is anymore.
REX
Sure, you do. I believe in you. And you can take that to the bank. Now go.
MUSIC
FADE IN EPISODE SCORE.
VICTOR
The truth? The real, honest-to-God truth?
VICTOR (cont’d)
Well, the truth. . . the truth is. . .
REX
Yes?
VICTOR
I’ve been kind of. . . mixed up lately.
SOUND
REX LEAFS THRU THE PAGES OF THE LETTER.
REX
Nothing to be ashamed of. You wrote about it in your letter. Let me see. Oh, yes. Here’s the page. (reading) “What I know isn’t enough. I thought it would be but it isn’t. Because all the things we learned, the really important things, when it came time to live them, they didn’t work. The system couldn’t help us. And we’re dying. But don’t worry, I’m a fighter. I know one thing that is true: never give up.” (putting the letter aside) Tell me something, Vic. Did you mean that?
VICTOR
Yeah, but. . . it’s hard.
REX
(compassionate) I know.
VICTOR
(emotions building) I try. I do. I get out of bed. But sometimes. . . I can’t. I just can’t.
REX
(gently) Because of the past?
VICTOR
(softly) Yes.
Well, that’s your mistake.
VICTOR
It is?
REX
None of that matters now.
VICTOR
; But I can’t get it out of my head. . .
REX
Forget it.
VICTOR
I wish I could. . .
REX
Listen to me, Vic. Let go.
VICTOR
I can’t just –
REX
Yes, you can. What’s holding you back?
VICTOR
I don’t know, I swear! I told you everything. . .
SOUND
REX UNFOLDS THE LETTER AGAIN.
REX
(sighing). . . in the letter. Let’s see. Yes. You said there’s something you want to ask me. Something very, very important. So – this is your chance.
VICTOR
You’ll think it’s stupid.
REX
No, I won’t. I give you my word.
VICTOR
Well. . .
REX
(calmly) I’m listening.
VICTOR
It’s just –
REX
Go on.
VICTOR
(with difficulty) Well. . . I decided I want to be – a writer.
REX
Did you.
VICTOR
I know I have a lot to learn before I’m ready. But the trouble is. . .
REX
Say it.
VICTOR
I – don’t know what to write about.
REX
Then why do you want to do it?
VICTOR
Because there’s nobody to talk to. Nobody who’d understand.
REX
Don’t be so sure about that. What would you tell them, if you could?
VICTOR
I don’t know.
REX
Tell me, Vic. I’ll put it down exactly the way you say it.
VICTOR
I’m afraid.
REX
Go ahead. Let it out. Do that and you’ll never be afraid, ever again.
VICTOR
I want to. . .
REX
Nobody’s listening, are they? We’re completely alone. How pefect is that? Like this house. A great setting. I could tell you were exactly what I need. Your kind always are. The ones who live in out-of-the-way places, the quiet ones, with no ties. That’s the way it has to be. Otherwise I couldn’t use you.
VICTOR
For what?
REX
I told you. Research.
VICTOR
But – why do you care what I feel?
REX
It makes my work different. Tell me what’s inside you – right now, this minute, this second. I don’t care what happened before.
VICTOR
If I wrote that, I couldn’t sell it to my grandmother – for a nickel.
REX
Maybe you couldn’t.
VICTOR
But the people you write about – they’re so real. . .
REX
I’ll let you in on a little secret. Books aren’t real. They’re make-believe – at least for other writers. But mine are different. That’s what turns my readers on. They’re looking for that extra edge. It gets inside their brains, till they think it’s happening to them. And in a sense it is. Because they’re experiencing it – creating it – right along with me.
VICTOR
But. . . where does it come from? How do you figure out what to say? I try, but what I know isn’t –
REX
(supressing a laugh) Wait a minute. You want to know where I get my ideas? (beat) Is that your big question?
VICTOR
Well, as a matter of fact. . .
SOUND
REX STANDS AND WALKS A FEW PACES.
REX
Open your eyes. It’s right in front of you.
VICTOR
What is?
REX
This rifle on the wall, for example. Or the Japanese sword next to it.
SOUND
A SLIGHT RATTLING AS REX TOUCHES THW SWORD.
VICTOR
I still don’t understand.
REX
Don’t you? Everybody – and every thing – has a story, waiting to come out. Sometimes it takes a little coaxing, that’s all. It’s my mission. You and I are two of a kind. We both have the same goal. To find the story that’s inside you.
VICTOR
What if there’s nothing there?
REX
Oh, there is, I promise. And you have the same right to share it with the world as anybody else. It’s your birthright. What you were put here for.
VICTOR
(with emotion) I – I want to believe that. . .
REX
You’re perfect, Vic. I can’t get that
SOUND
REX DRAWS THE SWORD OUT OF ITS SCABBARD.
VICTOR
Wait. What –?
REX
You want to know where I get my ideas? Well just where do you think? From this cesspool called life! And I’ll never run out, as long as I go directly to the source – because I’ll never, ever finish paying you all back!
VICTOR
No! My God, no! You’re wrong! It’s a lie! You’re –
REX
I want to know what you feel right now! Open up to me, Vic – all the way! It won’t hurt! I promise!
VICTOR
Get off me! Stop. . .!
SOUND
REX STABS VICTOR WITH THE SWORD. LIKE A KNIFE STRIKING A MELON.
REX
How does this feel, Vic? I have to know! Tell my readers! What about this? And this. . .?
VICTOR
MORE STABS AS THEY STRUGGLE.
VICTOR
(screaming) No. . .! No. . .!
REX
(all but shrieking) Tell me! I must find the pefect method! Tell me. . .!
SOUND
FADE DOWN.
SOUND
FADE DOWN.
AFTER A PAUSE, SLOW FADE IN TO:
EXT. – NIGHT – OUTSIDE VICTOR’S HOUSE. AS ANOTHER CAR APPROACHES OVER DIRT. THE CAR STOPS AND A BRAKE RATCHETS UP. THE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES AS JOLENE CLIMBS OUT. WE FOLLOW HER FOOTSTEPS ACROSS THE DIRT TO THE STONE WALKWAY AND THEN TO VICTOR’S DOOR. SHE USES THE METAL DOOR KNOCKER.
JOLENE
(calling) Victor? Victor, it’s me!
(to herself) Where is he. . .?
SOUND
(OFF) REX’S FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING OVER DIRT AND LEAVES.
REX
Can I help you?
JOLENE
Oh! I didn’t see you there.
REX
Sorry if I gave you a scare.
JOLENE
Is Victor home, do you know?
REX
Vic? I don’t think so.
JOLENE
Are you a friend of his?
REX
Just passing through. I was about ready to move on.
JOLENE
Well, have a good evening. And – happy holidays!
REX
(lingering) Thought I was lost. Then I saw the light. In the window. He was – very helpful.
JOLENE
He’s like that. Always thinking of others. . . Where could he be?
SOUND
SHE KNOCKS AGAIN.
REX
Is he expecting you?
JOLENE
Well, not exactly. I brought Christmas dinner. The whole works.
REX
Did you really.
JOLENE
He deserves it. All alone in this big old house. Maybe I there’s a door that’s open. . .
REX
I wouldn’t bother.
JOLENE
Why not?
REX
The last I saw of him, he was – down by the river.
JOLENE
What was he doing there?
REX
He wanted to show me everything. Very hospitable.
JOLENE
(warmly) That sounds like Victor.
REX
&
nbsp; Would you like to join him?
JOLENE
Oh, no. I’ll wait. (reconsidering) ’Course the food’s getting cold. . .
REX
I can show you the way.
JOLENE
Well. . .
REX
It’s not far.
JOLENE
I hope he’s ready for a surprise.
REX
Oh, he is. I’m sure of it.
Talking in the Dark Page 4