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Grief (Short)
by Duane Howell (duane@warmyourchiliproductions.com)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Drama   User Review: ***
Dealing with her problem, Amanda decides to take matters into her own hands.


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.



FADE IN:

INT. KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
BLACKNESS. SUPERIMPOSE: Grief(gref): deep and poignant
distress caused by or as if by bereavement b : a cause of
such suffering.
                                                            
Sounds of clanging dishes fill the house as GREG CARTER, an
overly fit underweight health nut, helps his wife AMANDA, an
obsessive compulsive rec loose, clear the table of the
morning dishes.

The doorbell rings as they both look at each other then
glance at the door.
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
BRIAN REX, an over worked and under paid construction
Superiendant, paces back and forth mumbling unintelligibly
to himself waiting for the door to open.
                                                            
 
INT. ENTRY - DAY
                                                            
Greg looks through the peephole and steps back looking
confused.
                                                            
                       GREG
It's Brian
                                                            
Amanda CLINCHES her JAW and steps back into the kitchen.
                                                            
 
EXT. FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
Greg opens the door and holds his FIST out.
                                                            
                       GREG
What's up my friend?
                                                            
Greg pulls his hand back as Brian does not reciprocate, yet
places his hands on his FOREHEAD.
                                                            

2.

                       GREG
You alright man?
                                                            
                       BRIAN
      (mumbling)
My mouth is so dry. I don't feel
like the words are coming out.
                                                            
                       GREG
      (Concerned)
You're freaking me out....
                                                            
                       BRIAN
I don't know how to say this so I
am just going to say it.
                                                            
                       GREG
Get there faster or I'm going to
punch you in the throat.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
My phone rang this morning.
                                                            
                       GREG
And....
                                                            
                       BRIAN
It was Anthony Garcia with WYC
Productions.
(beat)
They read the script and loved it.
                                                            
Greg steps out onto the porch and pushes Brian in the chest.
                                                            
                       GREG
Don't play man.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
They asked to set up a
pre-production meeting for next
Monday and wanted to discuss
financial needs.
(beat)
And something about purchasing
rights on the next 3 script.
                                                            

3.

Greg turns and set on the front porch bench then looks up at
Brian.
                                                            
                       GREG
Is this really going to happen?
                                                            
                       BRIAN
      (Sarcastic)
The meeting we have wished for for
years is next Monday. You think
you can make it?
                                                            
 
INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Amanda violently pulls her nightgown on then grabs her
pillow and comforter from the bed stopping at the door and
turning toward Greg.
                                                            
                       AMANDA
So let me understand this. You are
going to call in and not go to
your presentation you,ve been
working on for weeks so you can go
and play movies with Brian.
                                                            
                       GREG
Of all people you know how hard I
have worked and prayed for an
opportunity like this.
                                                            
                       AMANDA
You haven't a clue of what these
people are going to tell you, yet
you are more than willing to
gamble our future away over some
silly story.
                                                            
                       GREG
You have stomped on every dream I
have ever had. Especially when you
felt control slipping out of your
hands.
(beat)
You are not going to win, not this
time.
                                                            

4.

                       AMANDA
I didn't marry you to collect food
stamps.
                                                            
Amanda walks out of the room only to return.
                                                            
                       AMANDA
And just so you know, I always
win.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
A plaque reading WYC PRODUCTIONS covers the conference room
door as it opens and we see Brian & Greg shaking hands with
EXECUTIVES. Brian leans over to Greg and whispers.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
You alright man?
                                                            
                       GREG
Nineteen missed calls, one number.
                                                            
 
EXT. COFFEE HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Greg & Brian set along the DOWNTOWN CANAL looking over
papers and drinking their coffee.
                                                            
                       GREG
It's been nothing but threats,
ultimatums and constant fighting
since the day you brought me the
news. I don't know what I'm going
to do.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
Does she not realize what this is
going to mean for you both.
                                                            
                       GREG
I've tried to explain. The only
thing she comes back with is "I
can't believe you would throw away
this relationship over an
immature, childish slimy deadbeat
            (MORE)

5.

                       GREG (cont'd)
and a stupid story.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
      (mocking)
I am not slimmy....
                                                            
                       GREG
Man, if it keeps on I'm thinking
about leaving.
                                                            
 
EXT. PARKING LOT - DAY
                                                            
Brian exits hit car and grabs a GROCERY CART as he makes his
way toward the entrance. As he goes to enter the store his
cart collides with Amanda's.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
Hey....Amanda.
(beat)
How are you?
                                                            
                       AMANDA
      (SMUG)
I am fine, Brian.
                                                            
                       BRIAN
I heard, well....Brian told me
your divorce was final. I hate
that you both had to go through
that, but I wish you the best.
                                                            
                       AMANDA
      (ANGRY)
Well, I sure appreciate YOUR best.
                                                            
Amanda violently grabs her cart and maneuvers it out of
Brian's way as she storms off to her car.
                                                            
 
INT. CAR - DAY
                                                            
Amanda's knuckles whiten and jaw clinches as she grabs her
steering wheel.
                                                            

6.

                       AMANDA
      (mumbling)
I wish you the best....I wish you
the best....I wish you the
best....
(blatant)
I WISH YOU THE BEST....I WISH YOU
THE BEST....I WISH YOU THE
BEST....
                                                            
Amanda starts SCREAMING as she continually BANGS her face
into the steering wheel.

Blood SPRAYS violently on the windshield and dashboard.
Amanda wipes the blood from her face and paints on a SMILE
as she backs out of the parking space and drives away.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOME - DAY
                                                            
The sun begins to set behind a row of houses as Brian pulls
into his driveway.

As he exits he grabs the newspaper in the drive and walks
toward the mailbox.
                                                            
 
INT. CAR - DAY
                                                            
Through a SMEAR in the blood covered windshield we see
Brian, in the f.g. at his mailbox sifting through junk mail.

Blank faced she watches as he walks to the front door and
enters.

Amanda is dirty and the interior of the car looks as if she
has been living in it.

Amanda pushes away coffee cups and food wrappers as she
reaches under the seat and pulls out a small caliber pistol
then exits the car.
                                                            
 

7.

EXT. FRONT YARD - DAY
                                                            
Amanda walks EMOTIONLESS to the front door and PAUSES.

She reaches out and turns the door handle pushing the door
open and enters.

Children riding their bikes across the sidewalk, jump as we
hear three gunshots.
                                                            
                       NEWS ANCHOR (V.O.)
We interrupt your regularly
scheduled program to bring you
breaking news. We go live to
Jennifer Walters at NW 63rd and
Penn.
                                                            
                       JENNIFER (V.O.)
Quinn, Oklahoma City Police just
confirmed that their are two dead
inside this North Oklahoma City
home. Police did confirm that one
of the bodies is that of Writer,
Director and Oklahoma Native Brian
Rex. The identity of the second
body has not yet been released but
it is believed that the unknown
woman entered the Rex residence
fired two shots into Rex then
turned the gun on herself.
                                                            


THE END


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From Kevin Mitchell Date 7/29/2008 ***
I liked it a good little read and it's amazing you got so much good dialogue out of your characters in such a small amount of time.


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