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Gratification
by L. Hornbeek (raineenicole@verizon.net)

Rated: R   Genre: Action/Adventure   User Review: ***
A promiscuous wife gets more than she bargains for after one of her numerous affairs. Ownership rights for this screenplay are FOR SALE. Please contact Gary Hornbeek at raineenicole@verizon.net for details and pricing.


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. MOTEL BATHROOM - DAY
                                                            
An attractive woman in her 30’s is freshening up in the
mirror. This is ELLE BARRON. She finishes up with her makeup
and straightens out her business suit.
                                                            
INT. MOTEL ROOM
                                                            
She steps into the room where a man, JEFF MACON is sprawled
out across the bed in his underwear.
                                                            
                       JEFF
The party’s just starting.
                                                            
                       ELLE
You know I only have an hour for
lunch.
                                                            
                       JEFF
Not if you come work for me.
                                                            
                       ELLE
That’ll never work.
                                                            
She makes her way over to the bed, leans in and runs her
hand gently up his inner thigh.
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (devilish grin)
I’d never get any work done.
                                                            
                       JEFF
Maybe not, but think of the fringe
benefits.
                                                            
He leans up to her and they kiss passionately.
                                                            
 

2.

INT. KITCHEN - DAY
                                                            
Elle is now at home and is whipping up a quick dinner. The
sound of children playing is coming from the other room. In
steps her husband, DEREK, poster child for CPA’s. Buttoned
up shirt, glasses, pen protector.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Umm. Smells great. Busy day?
                                                            
                       ELLE
Madhouse.
                                                            
Two young boys come flying through the kitchen. Horseplay.
                                                            
                       DEREK
What’d I say about running in the
house?
                                                            
The two dart past their parents and back out from where they
came, not even noticing their parents.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Who says I don’t run a tight ship
around here?
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (grinning
       sarcastically)
Never heard anything of the sort.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE STAIRWAY - DAY
                                                            
Elle and a man are stealing a quick kiss together in a
secluded stairway.
It isn’t Jeff, and it’s certainly not Derek either.
                                                            
INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Elle is in her office shuffling papers looking busy when her
cellphone rings.
                                                            
INTERCUT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION - ELLE AND JEFF
                                                            

3.

                       ELLE
Elle.
                                                            
                       JEFF
What are you wearing?
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (glances up to
       make sure her
       door is closed)
Actually, I’m spread naked across
my desk.
                                                            
                       JEFF
Sounds like an invitation.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Signed, sealed, and delivered.
                                                            
                       JEFF
The usual?
                                                            
                       ELLE
I’ll be there, with a little more
on… maybe.
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
Elle closes her cellphone, reaches into her purse and pulls
out a compact. She checks herself in the mirror and checks
her watch.
                                                            
 
EXT. OFFICE PARKING LOT - DAY
                                                            
Elle is rushing to her car. As she glances at her watch she
deactivates the car alarm and REACHES for the HANDLE. Just
then another car pulls in behind her.

Derek.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Know of any sexy office managers
that need a bite for lunch?
                                                            
Elle is startled. She struggles to come up with a way out.
                                                            

4.

                       ELLE
This is something new.
                                                            
                       DEREK
What, a guy can’t take out his
gorgeous wife to lunch anymore?
                                                            
                       ELLE
It’s just… It’s been awhile.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Long overdue. Hop in.
                                                            
Derek motions to the passengers’ door and Elle gets in.
                                                            
INT. CAR
                                                            
As they are on the road, Elle’s cellphone rings.

She knows who it is.

Jeff.

She glances at the number and tries to play it off.
                                                            
                       ELLE
That place just can’t run without
me.
                                                            
She doesn’t answer it.

The car becomes eerily quiet.

Derek reaches for the radio and begins to hum along with
some cheesy 80’s rock ballad.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Takes you back, don’t it?
                                                            
Now Elle is really confused. She gives him an odd look.
                                                            

5.

                       ELLE
What’s up with you?
                                                            
                       DEREK
Me? Oh, just thinking of the good
ole’ days. You know, high school
and all. Back when we were crazy.
                                                            
                       ELLE
That was a long time ago. Time
moves on…
                                                            
                       DEREK
…And people change.
                                                            
Elle realizes the conversation is headed somewhere she
doesn’t want to go, so she tries to change the subject.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Where you taking me for lunch?
                                                            
                       DEREK
Orazios’. You know, that little
Italian joint on 30th. and
Cypress.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Oh yea. Haven’t been there in
awhile.
                                                            
Derek marches on without missing a beat.
                                                            
                       DEREK
So, how have you changed, I
mean... since high school and all.
                                                            
                       ELLE
I… I don’t know what you’re asking
me, Derek. What’s going on with
you lately?
                                                            

6.

                       DEREK
It’s nothing. Just trying to make
a little conversation, that’s all.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Lately…
                                                            
She pauses, looking for the right words.
                                                            
                       ELLE
I feel like we…
                                                            
The phone. Again.

Elle checks the number.

Jeff. Again.

This time she just shuts it off.
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (nervously)
They just can’t leave me alone,
you know?
                                                            
                       DEREK
Yea, I know.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Elle is back from lunch and is hard at work. Her cellphone
rings.

She knows who it is.
                                                            
INTERCUT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION - ELLE AND JEFF
                                                            
                       ELLE
Jeff?
                                                            
                       JEFF
      (obviously upset)
Where were you?
                                                            

7.

                       ELLE
I’m so sorry. Derek surprised me
with lunch. I tried to get out of
it.
                                                            
                       JEFF
And you couldn’t? So you just
leave me hanging?
                                                            
                       ELLE
Jeff, I said I was sorry. What do
you want me to do? Tell my husband
“I have to go and fuck some guy in
a motel room now“?
                                                            
                       JEFF
Oh, now I’m just “some guy”, huh?
                                                            
                       ELLE
You know what I mean. Look, you
knew when we started all of this I
was married. You know the rules of
the game.
                                                            
                       JEFF
And what game is this, Elle? Your
game? Your rules? What the fuck do
I get out of this?
                                                            
                       ELLE
You get the same thing I get…
Great fuckin’ sex… And that’s all
I want out of this. Nothing more,
nothing less.
                                                            
Silence.

Pause.
                                                            
                       ELLE
So do you want to try this again
tomorrow or not?
                                                            

8.

                       JEFF
Do you think he’ll “swing by”
again?
                                                            
                       ELLE
Let’s put it this way, that’s the
first time he’s taken me out for
lunch in over a year.
                                                            
                       JEFF
Tomorrow it is.
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
She hangs up the phone and places her head between her hands
in exhaustion. The situation is catching up to her.
                                                            
 
INT. HOME - NIGHT
                                                            
Elle, Derek, and the children are having dinner.

It looks like a picture out of “Saturday Evening Post”, but
once again it is eerily quiet.

The only noise is that of glasses and silverware clinking
together.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Elle peeks at her watch.
                                                            
INTERCUT WATCH -
                                                            
11:55
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
She begins to freshen up when there is a knock on her door.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Yes?
                                                            

9.

In steps Derek, lunch in hand.

Elle’s expression could stop a train.
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (bewildered)
Hon… What… What are you doing
here?
                                                            
                       DEREK
Well, I had so much fun yesterday,
I figured we’d do it again.
                                                            
                       ELLE
I… I don’t know what to say. I’m
shocked.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Surprisingly shocked, I hope.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Yea, that’s all.
                                                            
Derek makes his way to her desk and begins to unpack lunch.

Elle eyes her watch.
                                                            
INTERCUT WATCH
                                                            
12:01
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
Derek is still unpacking, humming out loud to himself.
                                                            
 
INT. MOTEL ROOM - DAY
                                                            
Jeff is peeking out of the blinds to the parking lot
anxiously.
                                                            
 

10.

INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Elle is keeping a close eye on her watch.

Derek is now unwrapping the sandwiches.
                                                            
INT. MOTEL ROOM
                                                            
Jeff looks at his watch.
                                                            
INTERCUT WATCH
                                                            
12:06
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
He begins to fidget with the blinds. He looks again.
                                                            
INTERCUT WATCH
                                                            
12:07
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
He reaches for his cellphone and STARTS DIALING.

BEEP... BEEP... BEEP...
                                                            
INT. OFFICE
                                                            
Elle is nervously pecking at her sandwich, her eye on her
watch.
                                                            
INTERCUT WATCH
                                                            
12:08
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
Suddenly Elle remembers…cellphone!
                                                            

11.

Like a light bulb going off in her head, she drops her
sandwich and lunges for her cellphone.
She flips it open and reaches for the POWER BUTTON. Then…
                                                            
INT. MOTEL ROOM
                                                            
…Jeff is FINISHING DIALING, and puts the phone up to his
ear.
                                                            
INT. OFFICE
                                                            
Elle PRESSES THE POWER BUTTON.
                                                            
INT. MOTEL ROOM
                                                            
Just then…
                                                            
                       OPERATOR (VOC)
We’re sorry, the number you are
trying to reach is not available
at this time. Please…
                                                            
Jeff SLAMS the cellphone down.
                                                            
 
INT. OFFICE - DAY
                                                            
Derek gives Elle a peck on the lips.
                                                            
                       DEREK
So you’ll be home before dinner?
                                                            
                       ELLE
I don’t know. Depends on how the
rest of the day goes. Just throw
something in the oven if I’m not
home.
                                                            
She checks her watch.

Derek finishes cleaning up, gives her a quick peck and
leaves. Quickly she turns her cellphone back on.


12.

She quickly dials a number by heart.

No answer.

She tries again.

Still no answer.
                                                            
                       ELLE
      (to herself)
SONOFABITCH!
                                                            
 
EXT. OFFICE PARKING LOT - DAY
                                                            
Elle is headed to her car. She looks around nervously.
She hops into her car and takes off out of the parking lot.
                                                            
EXT. STREET
                                                            
As she leaves the lot and onto the road, another car pulls
up behind her.

Jeff. Angry.
                                                            
The two cars are at a stoplight. It turns green and Elle
turns right.

Jeff follows right behind her.
                                                            
 
EXT. HOUSE - DAY
                                                            
Elle pulls into her driveway and goes inside. Jeff’s car
cruises by slowly just as she enters her house.
                                                            
INT. LIVING ROOM
                                                            
Elle is thumbing through the mail when the phone rings.
                                                            
INTERCUT - TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN ELLE AND DEREK
                                                            
                       ELLE
Hello?
                                                            

13.

                       DEREK
Made it home, huh?
                                                            
                       ELLE
Yea. Where are the kids?
                                                            
                       DEREK
They went to the movies with some
of their friends.
                                                            
                       ELLE
I see. You?
                                                            
                       DEREK
I’m stuck at the pizza place.
Pepperoni or sausage?
                                                            
                       ELLE
Your choice tonight.
                                                            
                       DEREK
What did I do, win the lottery or
something?
                                                            
                       ELLE
See you in a while.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Okay. Love you.
                                                            
                       ELLE
Same here.
                                                            
BACK TO SCENE
                                                            
Just as she hangs up the phone, she hears a noise at the
back door. She makes her way there.
                                                            
INT. BACK DOOR
                                                            
She checks the door handle. Locked. She brushes the curtain
over and glances out the door window.
                                                            

14.

Nothing.

She begins to make her way back into the living room when…
…another noise.

This time louder.

She heads back to the back door. This time slower, more
cautiously.

She REACHES for the KNOB.

She slowly turns it…

Locked.

She REACHES for the CURTAIN…slowly. Slowly.
She rips it open, and…

JEFF!

Right up against the glass is an angry Jeff.

SMASH!
                                                            
He breaks the door window out and reaches in to unlock the
door. Elle is partly stunned and partly terrified.

She freezes.

Jeff BUST the door wide open and makes his way inside. He
LUNGES for Elle but she bolts towards the living room,
screaming hysterically. She is running down the hallway when
she looks up and freezes.

In front of her is DEREK.

He has on a PAIR of GLOVES and a GUN in his HAND. Without a
word, he levels his gun and fires.
                                                            
ELLE falls to floor.

Behind her is JEFF.
He stops in his tracks, stunned at what has just happened.
                                                            
                       DEREK
So we finally meet, huh.
                                                            

15.

Jeff is speechless. He doesn’t move.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Funny. Both of us here. The two
guys who are fucking the same
whore.
                                                            
Derek pulls another gun out of his pocket. He tosses the
first one to Jeff.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Shoot.
                                                            
Jeff is frozen.
                                                            
                       DEREK
Go ahead. You got the balls to
fuck my wife, but not enough to
shoot me?
                                                            
                       JEFF
Look, I don’t know what the fuck
just happened here. I just--
                                                            
                       DEREK
--You just what? You just fuck my
wife and then you just try to kill
her. You sorry piece of shit!
                                                            
Derek RAISES his GUN.

Jeff pulls his up quickly and PULLS the TRIGGER. But…

…CLICK!

The gun is empty!
                                                            
                       DEREK
You stupid fuck. Did you really
think I’d toss you a loaded gun?
And here I thought my cunt of a
wife had more sense to pick a dumb
fuck like you.
                                                            

16.

Derek keeps his aim on Jeff.
                                                            
                       DEREK
You see, I’ve been looking for a
fall guy to come around. I knew it
would only be a matter of time
before that lousy bitch suckered
someone in far enough for me to
use. You think I’m gonna throw all
of this away?
                                                            
He spreads his arms out.
                                                            
                       DEREK
For her? Stupid bitch. I’ve known
all along. I’ve known about all of
them. Yea, that’s right. You
didn’t really think you were the
only one, now did you?
                                                            
                       JEFF
Look. You got what you wanted.
Just let me go. I won’t tell
anyone. I swear!
                                                            
                       DEREK
Silly little boy. Don’t you get
it? You’re my out… my alibi. You
see. I come home from a hard days
work. I walk in to see a strange
man with a gun standing over my
poor, bleeding wife. I have no
choice but to pull my gun and
shoot, right? Self defense, right?
                                                            
DEREK AIMS.

Jeff tries to cover himself.
                                                            
                       JEFF
NOOO!! Jesus Christ, NOOO!!!
                                                            
POW!!


17.

Derek brings his gun down.

Now Jeff is on the floor next to Elle. Derek takes his
gloves off and takes them into the garage and places them in
a toolbox. He makes his way back into the hallway and stands
over the dead bodies.

He pulls out his cellphone and dials… BEEP, BEEP, BEEP.
                                                            
INTERCUT TELEPHONE CONVERSATION DEREK AND 911 OPERATOR
                                                            
                       911 OPERATOR
911, What is your emergency?
                                                            
                       DEREK
      (in a panicked
       voice)
My… My wife’s been shot… there’s
been a break in!
                                                            
                       911 OPERATOR
Okay, I’m going to need you to
calm down sir.
                                                            
Derek continues to stand over the bodies. As he explains the
situation to the operator, his voice begins to fade out.
                                                            
                       DEREK
I understand. My wife is bleeding
everywhere. I think she’s dead. I
shot the intruder…
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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From Sven Date 7/23/2008 ***
Nicely written.


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