Home Screenwriting Products Screenwriter Community Screenwriting Store
ScriptBuddy - Screenwriting Software for the Web

Screenwriter Community

Back to List of Published Screenplays
View/Leave Feedback

Storm
by Cheyenne Romaine (cheyrom@comcast.net)

Rated: PG   Genre: Drama   User Review: **1/2
Based on a short story I wrote, this is a short screenplay I've written for a film class. In short, it's about a man who murders his wife because he finds out she's been cheating on him.


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.



STORM

FADE IN:

EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
                                                            
We are looking down from the corner of a roof onto an
unpaved driveway that shows slightly lighter than the
black-black of the land around. Puddles in the dirt reflect
what little light comes from the house. A pickup truck sits
dark and silent in the driveway, facing away from the house.
The sky overhead is heavy with rainclouds and thunder
rumbles in the distance. In the distance, on the plain, a
gray sheet appears. Thunder continues. In a moment, the
rain sweeps over the house, poundign the ground into deeper
mud. A light suddenly cuts across the driveway as the
house's front door opens. A dark figure appears, a large
bundle in his arms. We cannot tell who this is. Ducking
against the rain and wind, he slides the bundle into the bed
of the truck, moves quickly around to the sab, gets in. The
engine roars to life.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S ENGLISH KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
The kitchen is a rather dark place with stone walls and
tiled countertops and floors. There is a feeling of
masculinity, but over that, a somewhat newer feel of
femininity: copper pots hang above the stove, a glass-front
cabinet shows off clean, pretty china, there are lace
curtains (tied back at the moment) on the window. Light
streams in from the window over the sink onto a thick wood
table where Lily sits, hard at work polishing a set of
copper pots. She wears a mid-calf brown skirt and white
blouse. She is a young pretty woman with brunette hair tied
up in a bun. She speaks with a refined English accent. A
Bible sits at her elbow. She hums a hymn to herself. A
door closes somewhere in the background, and a moment later,
Colin enters the kitchen. He is a big man, all muscle, with
dirty blonde hair and a closely-cropped beard and moustache.
He wears jeans, a flannel shirt, and a sheep-skin lined
jacket. He bends over and kisses her cheek.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Mornin', m'love.
                                                            
                       LILY
Good morning. How is the herd?
                                                            

2.

                       COLIN
All light n' fluffy n' healthy.
(He rips off a chunk off a loaf of
bread resting on the tiled
countertop.) Land looks good. But
in 'nother few days, the rain's
goin' come down so hard you won't
see. Then those 'lil sheep'll be
fightin' for their lives. We'll
have our work cut out for us for
sure.
                                                            
                       LILY
      (She leans over to
       look out the
       window.)
The sky is clear blue, love. How
do you know there is going to be
rain?
                                                            
Colin looks up at her, then the sky for a moment. Then he
grins, takes Lily's hand and leads her out the door.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
We watch from the same corner of the roof as in the first
scene as Colin leads Lily outside. He stops her by a set of
rocking chairs, holding her hand. Colin leans his head back
and breathes in deeply.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Breathe deep, love. Breathe deep.
                                                            
                       LILY
      (Hesitates at
       first, then takes
       in a deep breath.)
--What?
                                                            
                       COLIN
D'ya smell it?
                                                            
                       LILY
Smell what, dear?
                                                            
                       COLIN
That heaviness in the air. Storm's
comin'.
                                                            

3.

                       LILY
...I don't...I can't...I'm
supposed to SMELL it?
                                                            
                       COLIN
      (Takes a deep
       breath.)
Plain as day, darlin'. (laughs)
Don't worry 'bout it. It'll come
to ya, once ya live 'ere long
'nuff. Get that city smog outta
those lungs of yours.
                                                            
Lily tilts her head back, kisses him.
                                                            
                       LILY
I'll get it, I promise.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
Rain slashes at the winodw. Colin hunches over the table,
two dogs at his feet. A mass of beer bottles, all empty,
litters the table. He is nursing yet another one,
half-full. A large sledge-hammer leans against the table,
head on the clay tile floor.
                                                            
                       COLIN (V.O.)
Goin' out?
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
We are looking out from the front porch of the house at a
shockingly red-haired, narrow, effeminate man with a strong
Irish lilt. This is Seamus Beckett. Off in the distance on
the driveway, we can see a car with a woman waiting in the
passenger seat and the back filled with kids with hair as
red as Beckett's.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Only for the day.
                                                            

4.

Beckett's eyes go past Colin, into the house, never resting
for very long on one thing. Colin doesn't turn to see what
he's looking for, or at.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Be careful, a'right Colin? Don't
be needin' nothin' hap'nin to ya
while I'm gone.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Like what?
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Ah, you know. Don't be drinkin'
none too much, boy-o. Want to
have that strength in ya fer when
I get back. Yer the best man I've
got! Can't be losin' ya. (Again
hsi eyes go beyond Colin. Lily
stands just behind him now, we
see.) Well, good'ay to ya,
Misstress Heatherway. Yer lookin'
fine as a fairy this mornin'.
                                                            
                       LILY
And where are you off to, Mr.
Beckett? To a picnic?
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Aye, off with the wife and kids I
am.
                                                            
                       LILY
I hope you all have a fine time.
I'm sure I'll see you when you
return.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Aye, there's no doubt about that,
is there?
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
Lily sits at the table with Colin. A pie with several
pieces missing sits on the table, as well as steaming cups
of coffee and china dishes. Colin is working, going over
paper work, writing notes. Lily reads the Bible. Her hair

5.

is pulled tightly back and she wears a buttoned blouse and
ankle-length skirt. Her hand idly strokes one of the dogs
who sits beside her chair. Colin finally sits back in his
chair with a sigh.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Well, we're nine hundred behind. I
'ave a smaller 'erd this year than
I've ever had before and I'm
deeper in debt than ever before!
                                                            
                       LILY
But why?
                                                            
                       COLIN
The smaller 'erd for one thing.
Means less feed, but also means
less income. And with th' weddin'
last year...Well, I hate to say
it, but it's catchin' up to us.
                                                            
                       LILY
It was the Lord's will that we get
married, Colin. And this is just
one of His trials to keep our
faith in Him strong. Let us pray
for strength and wisdom in this
time.
                                                            
She kneels, reaching out for him. After a moment, he stands
and goes to kneel beside her, grasping her hand.
                                                            
                       LILY
Lord God our Savior, please
protect us in our time of trials.
Give us strength and wisdom. Help
us make the decisions you would
like us to make. Lead us from
temptation. We pray that you will
watch over us when we wake and
while we sleep. Amen.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Amen.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
The room is neat. The walls are roughly-hewn wood, the bed

6.

a heavy-set four-post creation. A wool plaid blanket is
thrown over a rocking chair in one corner. But as in the
kitchen, there is a fresh feeling of femininity: there are
more lace curtains around the window, a new lace frill hangs
around the top of the bed, the cover is embroidered with
roses. Rain pelts the window in the background. Thunder.
Colin sits on the edge of the bed, shirtless, his work boots
and pants still on. A shirt and coat are on the bed beside
him. Lily sits at a vanity. Perfume bottles, a polished
mahogany jewelry box, and wedding pictures in silver frames
sit very neatly about the vanity top. Lily wears a saffron
dress embroidered with flowers. Her hair is down and Colin
watches as she weaves flowers into her dark hair.
                                                            
                       LILY
I thought it was a pretty color.
-I don't know when I'll ever wear
it out here, but it's a pretty
thing to have, isn't it?
                                                            
Colin glances down to jerk his bootlaces free. When he
looks back up, Lily has finished with the flowers and has
pulled the neckline of her dress just slightly off her
shoulders. She studies herself seriously in the mirror.
There is something exotic, foreign, mysterious about her
suddenly, and Colin drops his shoelaces to stare at her
reflection.
                                                            
                       COLIN
You are beautiful.
                                                            
In the reflection, her eyes fasten on him. They look at
each other through the mirror and for a long moment she
seems very distant, aloof, untouchable. Colin stands, takes
a few steps forward until he stands over her. Then she
shakes her head and the flowers fall from her hair to the
floor.
                                                            
                       LILY
      (Laughing)
A child's game. I've been feeling
young lately.
                                                            
Colin doesn't move for a while, still looking at her
reflection. Then finally he puts his hands on her
shoulders, kisses her neck gently.
                                                            
                       COLIN
You are young, love. Play all the
games you want.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 

7.

EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
We look toward the house and for a moment, nothing happens.
Then the door opens and Beckett comes out, followed by Lily,
whose hair is tumbled around her shoulders. Beckett descens
from the porch, then turns to look back up at her.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
You'll tell yer husband I came by,
won't ya, darlin'?
                                                            
                       LILY
If you would have me.
                                                            
Beckett pauses, almost as if he's not sure that he has heard
correctly.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Yes, do that.
                                                            
                       LILY
I will then. --Will we see you
soon?
                                                            
                       BECKETT
      (Winking at her.)
Aye, you can be sure of that.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
Colin has started on a new bottle. The two dogs look up at
him. Occasionally they growl, but whether at the thunder or
him, it isn't clear. Colin takes a gulp. His hand closes
over the hammer handle.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Colin pulls away from his kiss, wraps his arms around Lily's
waist, tries to pull her up. But she fends him off,
pouting, and after a moment, he returns to the bed to finish
undressing. In the background, the rain has stopped for the
moment.
                                                            

8.

                       COLIN
What did you do today?
                                                            
                       LILY
Nothing of importance. Work here.
I went for a walk, too. Down to
Seamus's. Maggie wasn't there.
                                                            
Colin looks sharply up at her, but she has lost herself in
her reflection. He goes back to undressing, but as soon as
he does, she begins watching him through the mirror.
                                                            
                       COLIN
And how is he?
                                                            
                       LILY
Seamus is doing well. He asked
after you.
                                                            
Lily laughs and stands.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Lily sleeps soundly, but Colin's eyes are open as he lies
next to her. Beads of sweat glisten on his forehead. He
tosses several times, then finally gets out of bed. We
follow him through the dark hour into the kitchen. The two
dogs rise from where they had been lying near the door. He
pats them idly as he looks about the kitchen in flashes of
lighting (though the rain continues to hold off). His eyes
finally light on a sledge hammer leaning against the wall.
he walks over to it, hefts it in one hand, feels its weight.
He walks over to the refrigerator, hammer still in hand,
and takes out several beers. He goes slowly to a chair,
sits, leans the hammer against the table, and very slowly
takes his first drink.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
Colin and Lily stand together on their porch, holding hands.
                                                            

9.

                       COLIN
That heaviness in the air. Storm's
comin'.
                                                            
As he says this, he's not looking at the sky, as might be
expected. He's looking over the moor where a house is just
visible, smoke rising from the chimney.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
                                                            
Lily sits on a rocking chair, staring out down the road. The
sun is still up just enough that we can see the chimney of
the Beckett's house in the distance, right where Lily is
looking. Her hands are folded on her lap and she sits
without moving. Her hair is loose about her shoulders. The
door opens and Colin steps outside.
                                                            
                       COLIN
There ya are, m'love. Been
lookin' for ya.
                                                            
                       LILY
Oh? I hadn't heard you call.
                                                            
                       COLIN
'At's all right. (He remains
standing beside her though there
is an empty seat, studying her
from the corner of his eyes.)
Never seen you outside with yer
'air down.
                                                            
                       LILY
      (Without looking
       at him.)
I thought a change was in order.
                                                            
                       COLIN
Thought you'd be readin' the
Lord's Word by now. You always
'ave before.
                                                            
Lily only shrugs her shoulders. Her eyes continue to stare
down the road, but she is no longer completely still. Her
hands twist in her lap, fingers lacing and unlacing.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            

10.

Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - DAY
                                                            
Colin and Lily stand on their porch, Beckett standing before
them.
                                                            
                       LILY
I hope you all have a fine time.
I'm sure I'll see you when you
return.
                                                            
                       BECKETT
Aye, there's no doubt about that,
is there?
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S BEDROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
Lily sits at her vanity, scattered flowers about her, the
saffron dress just off her shoulders.
                                                            
                       LILY
      (Laughing)
A child's game. I've been feeling
young lately.
                                                            
 
INT. BLACK SCREEN - DAY
                                                            
                       COLIN
You are young, love. Play all the
games you want.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
INT. THE HEATHERWAY'S KITCHEN - NIGHT
                                                            
The spread of bottles has thickened to over ten now. Colin
has lifted the hammer and lain it across the table. The
dogs are definitely growling at HIM now. Colin stares at
them, fingers wrapped around the neck of a bottle. Then
suddenly he flings the bottle at them. They both shy away,
but the bottle catches one of them on the shoulder. She

11.

yelps and they both shrink away. Colin stands abruptly,
lifting the hammer. For a moment, he is still. The flashes
of memory come so fast now we hardly are allowed to focus on
them.
                                                            
                       LILY (V.O.)
I've been feeling young lately.
                                                            
                       BECKETT (V.O.)
Aye, there's no doubt about that,
is there?
                                                            
                       COLIN (V.O.)
Play all the games you want.
                                                            
Colin's face twists in a mixture of pain and anger. He
grips the hammer more tightly and stalks from the room.
                                                            
Fade out.
                                                            
Fade in.
                                                            
 
EXT. THE HEATHERWAY'S FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
                                                            
We are looking down from the corner of a roof onto an
unpaved driveway. Rain pounds down, everything already
turned to mud. A pick-up truck sits dark and silent in the
driveway facing away from the house. A light suddenly cuts
across the driveway as the front door opens. A dark figure,
Colin, appears, a large bundle in his arms. Ducking against
the rain and wind, he slides the bundle into the bed of the
truck, moves quickly around to the cab, gets in. The engine
roars to life and a moment later moves out of the driveway
and down the road, only its lights visible through the rain.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


Back to Top of Page
Leave Feedback
Feedback
From jacobb Date 6/5/2007 ****
The only thing that's wrong with this is that you put "fade out" after every scene and used "fade in" to start a new scene. There are certain ways a scence must go into another scene: Cut to is a good way to say that the scene goes directly to another one without showing the previous scene. Dissolve to is used when you want the pervious scene showing while the next scene is coming in. It's not bad, though. But it needs some work.

From Roger Harris Date 3/15/2005 **
Except I was told before I read this, I would not have realized exactly what transpired (the murder). Still, the work is gripping; it holds my attention.

From Greg Thompson Date 3/13/2005 *1/2
Good: The characters are intriguing and I liked the formal dialect. Bad: (a) The narrative paragraphs are TOO long. You need to chop them up and add more action. There's a lot of description and nothing going on. Quite honestly, it still kind of reads like short story. (b) Check your spelling, I found 3 glaring mistakes in the first few pages. I didn't bother checking after that.


Back to Top of Page
Leave Feedback
You must be logged in to leave feedback.
Home    My Account    Products    Screenwriter Community    Screenwriter's Corner    Help
Forgot Your Password?    Privacy Policy    Copyright 2024, ScriptBuddy LLC.    Email help@scriptbuddy.com