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Closure (Short)
by Wolfe Sturgis (luscioushippie@gmail.com)

Rated: PG   Genre: Drama   User Review: ***1/2
Coping with a loss, Greg Stephens turns to an unusual person for help for the last time.


This screenplay is copyrighted to its author. All rights reserved. This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of the author.



CLOSURE (SHORT)

FADE IN:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
The digital alarm clock GLOWS 4:27 as the PHONE RINGS.

GREG STEPHENS, a well built 30 something, shoots up.
DISSORIENTED. and grabs around for the phone.
                                                            
                       GREG
      (Grogy)
Hello....
                                                            
Greg sets up to ATTENTION. Eyes WIDE open.
                                                            
                       GREG
      (Fighting Tears)
What?
(beat)
How?
                                                            
Greg drops the phone as he RUNS his FINGERS down his face.
                                                            
                       CALLER
Greg....Hello.
                                                            
                       GREG
Yah....I'm here.
                                                            
Greg swings his legs out and now sits on the edge of the
bed.
                                                            
                       GREG
I,m going to get get up and get
around so I can leave this
morning.
(beat)
Of course, of course.
(beat)
Just plan on me packing everything
up.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Greg EXITS his car and walks to the front door.

He leans down pulling back the WELCOME mat revealing a
shiney silver KEY. As he reaches for the key, the front door
opens.

2.


There stood MADDIE, Gregs 20 something SHAPLY. ATTRACTIVE.
sister.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
I,m so glad you're here.
                                                            
                       GREG
You've always been there for me
Maddie.
                                                            
 
INT. ENTRYWAY - NIGHT
                                                            
Greg stands in the entryway. BAG over his shoulder. Maddie
walks ahead of him and TURNS as she enters the living area.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
It's so great to see you.
                                                            
                       GREG
You to, even under the
circumstances.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
We've got all night to catch up.
Why don't you go put down your
bag.
                                                            
 
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Greg lies across the floor, a single wine glass and a pizza
box beside him.

Maddie, arm crossed, stands looking out the window behind
him.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
I always loved this view.I hate it
that I can't stay.
                                                            
We draw close to Maddie as we see the scenic CITY SKYLINE
view out the window.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
Do you remember when you moved me
in?
                                                            
                       GREG
      (Mocking)
I never knew two humans could cry
that much.
                                                            

3.

                       MADDIE
I was an eighteen year old little
girl who had never been further
East than Tulsa.
                                                            
                       MADDIE (COND)
And Mom cried more than I did. I
think Dad may have shed a tear or
two.
                                                            
                       GREG
Speaking of....Have you....
(beat)
Seen Mom or Dad yet?
                                                            
                       MADDIE
No, I've been by myself.
                                                            
Greg pushes the pizza aside and starts packing.

Maddie turns and walks toward the couch. She leans down and
picks up a blue dress in a plastic bag lying across the arm.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
You really think I should wear the
blue dress.
                                                            
                       GREG
      (without looking)
You always looked beautiful in
that dress.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Greg holds a small BOX as he locks the front door and walks
to his car.
                                                            
 
INT. BUSINESS LOBBY - DAY
                                                            
Antiques, silk flowers and large oil paintings cover the
lobby walls as Greg walks to the center of the room.

Greg is met by a YOUNG and ATTRACTIVE woman.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
Good afternoon. May I help you?
                                                            
                       GREG
Yes. I'm Greg Stephens. I believe
we talked on the phone.
                                                            

4.

                       WOMAN
Ah yes. Mr. Stephens.
                                                            
                       GREG
Here are the things you requested.
                                                            
                       WOMAN
Thank you. I'll take them right
back.
                                                            
 
INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
BOXES are STACKED up to eye level throughout the room.

Greg is leaned up against the wall STRATLING a box while
Maddie sits in a large barcalounger behind him.
                                                            
                       GREG
      (Relieved)
This is the last box.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
I can't believe you did all of
this.
                                                            
                       GREG
Stress relief.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
Be honest. Are you okay?
                                                            
                       GREG
Little numb.
(beat)
How about you. How do you feel?
                                                            
                       MADDIE
I really don't feel much of
anything.
                                                            
Greg stacks the LAST box atop a pile against the wall and
WIPES the SWEAT from his brow.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
You have been at this all night.
You need to get some sleep. Why
don't you use my bed.
                                                            
                       GREG
I don't think I can sleep.
                                                            
 

5.

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Greg stretches out on top Maddie's bed as we see Maddie in
the hall outside the door.
                                                            
                       GREG
You really aren't coming back are
you?
                                                            
Maddie turns and walks out of the doorway.
                                                            
                       MADDIE (O.S.)
Get some sleep.
                                                            
 
INT. BATHROOM - DAY
                                                            
Greg SINCHES up his tie and CHECKS himself over in the
mirror.
                                                            
 
INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Greg walks to the entry hall and stops, looking back at
Maddie asleep on the couch.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
What. You're not making breakfast?
                                                            
                       GREG
Hey....I didn't want to wake you.
                                                            
Maddie rolls over and sits up INDIAN style on the couch.
                                                            
                       MADDIE
Wow. You do clean up.
                                                            
                       GREG
I would much rather have a reason
to wear jeans and a T-shirt today.
                                                            
Greg grabs his suit jacket off of the barcalounger and walks
to the door.

He grabs the door handle then turns back to Maddie.
                                                            
                       GREG
They nrrd me there a little
earlier than i had planned....
So....
                                                            

6.

                       MADDIE
Hey, I'll see you when I get
there.
(beat)
Sorry....
                                                            
Greg opens the door. PAUSES. then walks out.
                                                            
 
EXT. FIELD - DAY
                                                            
Gregs hair WHIPS in the wind as he pans the area.

A light FROST in his breathe welcomes the morning CHILL.

He turns and smiles as an elderly couple approaches.
                                                            
                       ELDERLY WOMAN
Hello Greg
                                                            
                       GREG
Thank you both for coming.
                                                            
                       ELDERLY WOMAN
It was simply beautiful. Your
parents would have been so
pleased.
                                                            
As the couple turns and walks away a paper falls from her
purse and falls atop Gregs Italian shoes.

As we dram closer we see A FUNERAL PROGRAM.

A MEMORIAL SERVICE TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF

MADELINE NICOLE STEPHENS

AUGUST 13, 1978 - OCTOBER 17, 2007
                                                            
 
EXT. GRAVE SIDE - DAY
                                                            
A flower wreath with SISTER across the banner sit next to a
pearl white CASKET.

In the background we see couples as they retire to their
vehicles in a sea of black UMBRELLAS along a narrow winding
road.

Greg places his right hand on the edge of the casket and
looks over at Maddie. A hint of a SMILE graces her pale
white face.


7.

Greg reaches in and fixes the lace on the arm of her BLUE
dress.
                                                            
                       GREG
Good bye sis. I'll miss you.
                                                            
Greg wipes a tear away and pulls his coat up around his neck
as he walks from the casket.

Behind him we see as two well dressed men CLOSE the casket
lid.
                                                            


THE END


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From Don Date 5/29/2008 ***1/2
Had a cool Twilight Zone vibe. Very good.

From Michael Kobzeff Date 5/16/2008 ***
This short was interesting at the end but a little slow in getting there. Greg didn't really seem like he was alive either, he was rather dull.

From Josh Echevarria Date 5/7/2008 ****
Wow. This was a really great short. Not only was it well-wriiten but it was unexpected. I really enjoyed it. A majority of the dialogue was believable and within 6 and 1/3 pages you portrayed Greg's love and care for his sister. Great job.


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