Rabbit Hole

Prelude to Life
Original Screenplay by: William McMahon
Janurary 27, 2008

This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 Canada License.

FADE IN:

 

TRANSPARENT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER the statement:

 

February 14th
6:33AM

A GENTLE HUM of ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT lingers in the background. The sound of a SPARK signifies that a nearby LIGHT BULB is about to live its last moments.

INT. WINDSOR GAMING CENTRE - NIGHT

Five beings ranging in age from child to senior citizen sit in a haphazard circle in a dim abandoned business interior. Signs of life and presence act as clutter and obstacles in a once active environment.

A YOUNG MALE, DIRTY TEENAGER holds a decorative katana as an older FEMALE YOUNG ADULT glares at him.

CRYSTAL ELBOUN

Would you put that damn sword down? You’re only lookin’ like a fool.

A MALE CHILD looks up from the floor

JUSTIN LAMONT

But what if those things come in here? We won’t have anything to protect ourselves with.

Another YOUNG MALE from behind the remnants of a store counter speaks up.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Don’t you worry Justin nothings getting in here under my watch; Matt put the katana away you’re scaring the female.

An ELDERLY WOMAN comforts JUSTIN placing her arm around him cuddling him in close.

JACKIE WHITE

OK Chris, I’m going to tell you something. Ever since I’ve been here you have been barking orders at Matt like he was your son instead of your brother. This isn’t the time or the place for false bravado.

JACKIE cuddles towards JUSTIN. Her eyes changing to an attempted motherly softness.

JACKIE WHITE

Don’t worry Justin this place hasn’t been attacked in over three

AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG startles the entire group. Another BANG follows originating from the front door. Each character scoffs backwards and willows in fear.

CRYSTAL ELBOUN

What the fuck is that?!

CHRIS RICHARDSON quickly grabs the recently disposed katana, jumps the front counter and rushes to the side of the door. Reluctantly he gently moves a nailed piece of wood so that he may see out the front window.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

I think I see Liam Mackenzie

MATT RICHARDSON

Liam?! He’s still alive? What is he doing out there?

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Fuck if I know. It doesn’t matter, if he stays out there he’ll be tomorrows breakfast. Get over here and hold the door while I drag him inside.

MATT RICHARDSON attempts to mimic his brother carefully jumping over the front counter. CHRIS is already fumbling with the array of locks; his hands shaking.

CRYSTAL ELBOUN

If you let any of those bastards in here I am going to castrate you both.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Crystal shut up for a second. Matt when I say go open the door and I’ll grab Liam; as soon as I get in shut door and lock it fast. Ready GO!

MATT quickly swings open the door as CHRIS, while still half inside the building kneels down and grabs LIAM by the hands. He pulls LIAM so far just to make it inside the building as MATT slams the door behind him.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Lock it you idiot!

JUSTIN LAMONT

Is he going to die?

JACKIE approaches

JACKIE WHITE

We need to check him for bites.

FADE OUT/IN:

 

TRANSPARENT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER the statement:

 

February 14th
6:40AM

The ELECTRICAL HUM from earlier is louder now.

INT. BATHROOM WINDSOR GAMING CENTRE - NIGHT

CHRIS is rummaging through weathered cabinets in a dingy dirty bathroom as MATT stands observing at the door way.

MATT RICHARDSON

I told you Chris those were painkillers left over from my wisdom teeth.

CHRIS slams the cabinet marches past MATT pushing him aside. He heads towards the front of the building where LIAM, CRYSTAL, JACKIE and JUSTIN sit. MATT follows sluggishly.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

I know we have some antibiotics around here somewhere.

CRYSTAL is now holding LIAM, his head on her lap. She checks his temperature.

CRYSTAL ELBOUN

We don’t have time for spring cleaning. Liam is running a fever and all his wounds are red and infected. If we don’t get him any antibiotics he will die.

JUSTIN LAMONT

What if he turns into one of those things

JACKIE WHITE

We’ve already checked him it doesn’t appear he has any bites on him.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

What do you expect me to do Crystal? I don’t have a cauldron… I can’t magically concoct antibiotics.

MATT RICHARDSON

There is a Shoppers Drug Mart across the street I can run over!

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Don’t be stupid

CRYSTAL ELBOUN

Actually thats not a bad idea. They keep amoxicillin or erythromicin behind the counter at Shoppers. If one of you were to go and get it Justin might have a chance to survive.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

I’ll get it! Couldn’t be that hard right? Moxis cillin and eurthmics got it!

JACKIE WHITE

Just be careful. We know that there hasn’t been a sighting in weeks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.

CHRIS picks up the katana and a baseball bat off the ground. Unlocks the front door and peaks outside. MATT approaches.

CHRIS RICHARDSON

Don’t forget to lock the door this time little brother

CHRIS rushes out the door as MATT watches him from a small crack in the door. From the other side CHRIS pulls the door shut. MATT locks it.

FADE OUT/IN:

 

TRANSPARENT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER the statement:

 

February 14th
7:00AM

SILENCE overwhelms the group.

INT. WINDSOR GAMING CENTRE - NIGHT

MATT sits quietly behind the counter staring blankly at the door. JUSTIN is asleep on JACKIES lap and LIAM is shaking as CRYSTAL places a cold rag on his forehead.

A LOUD BANG from the front door is heard, this time its much more violent. JUSTIN is awoken and cowers into JACKIES arms. MATT rushes to the front door.

MATT RICHARDSON

CHRIS!!!

MATT unlocks the front door

JACKIE WHITE

Matt be careful! You don’t know whats out there

MATT RICHARDSON

I don’t care those things probably have my brother

JACKIE gets up and rushes to MATT. JUSTIN moves towards CRYSTAL and LIAM. MATT swings the door open.

MATT RICHARDSON

Oh fucken shit… CHRIS!

CHRIS RICHARDSON O.S.

Matt don’t get any closer! Stay inside! Take this!

CHRIS’ arm enters the door frame. In his hand are the antibiotics. He drops them inside the building and his arm is quickly dragged away out of view. MATT falls to his knees and tries to grab CHRIS. JACKIE grabs MATT preventing him from going any further. JUSTIN gets up grabs the antibiotics and rushes to CRYSTAL.

MATT now sobs at his feet. JACKIE slams the door and locks it she kneels down to MATTS level. The sounds of pain and horror still occurring from outside. JACKIE puts one hand on MATTS shoulder.

JACKIE WHITE

What Chris did was a remarkable act. He was not a selfish person beneath his hard exterior. He loved you very much. He’s everybody’s hero today.

The horrific sounds from outside begin to fade. CRYSTAL opens LIAMS mouth. Places the antibiotics in it and forces him to swallow some water.

FADE OUT/IN:

 

TRANSPARENT BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER the statement:

 

February 14th
7:18AM

SILENCE still overwhelms the group.

INT. WINDSOR GAMING CENTRE - DAWN

CRYSTAL still has LIAMS head on her lap. LIAM isn’t shaking anymore his rag removed from his forehead. JUSTIN and JACKIE are sitting together staring blankly at MATT. MATT sits by the front door. Signs of the sun beat down upon him. MATT stands.

MATT RICHARDSON

I somehow feel free. Like some chain has been released from around my ankles. I feel like I can finally be myself.

MATT unlocks the door for the last time. He opens it turns to JUSTIN and tosses him the keys. The sun light now fully covering MATT as his body juxtaposes the darkness of the room. He smiles and begins to walk out the door. The door shuts behind him.

JUSTIN LAMONT

Is Matt going to be OK?

We now see LIAM his eyes open he looks up at CRYSTAL. CRYSTAL looks down at LIAM they smile.

JACKIE WHITE

Everybody is going to be just fine.

FADE OUT