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Dark Lady (short film)
by johanna (johannadurazzi@gmail.com)

Rated: PG-13   Genre: Miscellaneous   User Review:
NOT YET
RATED

a short film based of the song by Cher


This play is based soley on the song "Dark Lady" by Cher



FADE IN:

INT. THE BUSY STREETS OF NEW ORLEANS AROUND 6:30 PM - DAY
                                                            
CHERYL checks her watch as she continues walking. A horse
and buggy approaches behind her. She turns toward the
carriage. JAMES is controlling the horses drawing the wagon.
JAMES pauses and spreads his arms to present DARK LADY
                                                            
                       JAMES
      (Announcing)
Behold the fortune Queen of New
Orleans!
                                                            
JAMES hands CHERYL and everyone in sight a business card.
DARK LADY strokes her cat, sitting on her lap, gently.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
      (Quietly but
       demanding)
Home James
                                                            
JAMES whips the horses and they ride off stage right. A
WOMAN who is also walking the streets and received a card
approaches CHERYL
                                                            
                       WOMAN
      (To CHERYL from
       behind. She
       fightens her and
       causes her to
       jump)
Peculiar isn't she? Everyone says
how precise her predictions are! I
think I'm going to visit her soon.
                                                            
WOMAN continues to walk off stage left with the rest of the
people on the street.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (preoccupied with
       the business card)
Yes, very peculiar indeed
                                                            
Police sirens are heard from backstage. the crowd runs to
stage left. CHERYL looks down again at the card, looks off
stage left, down at the card again, and then walks the
opposite direction, stage right.
                                                            
 

2.

INT. DARK LADY'S WAITING ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
CHERYL enters from stage left. She enters a dim room with a
desk and a big clock on the wall. lots of gypsy and mystical
decorations are on display. JAMES is sitting at the desk
oblivious to her entrance fully focused on whatever is on
the desk.
                                                            
JAMES looks up.
                                                            
                       JAMES
      (blandly)
Are you here to see Dark Lady?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I'm sorry?
                                                            
                       JAMES
Are you here to meet with the
fortune Queen of new Orleans?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Oh... Yes. I mean, i think so..
                                                            
                       JAMES
What's your name?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (Timidly)
I'm uh.. Cheryl
                                                            
                       JAMES
Fifty
                                                            
CHERYL looks through her purse and pulls out cash. She hands
JAMES her money.
                                                            
                       JAMES
Dark Lady will be with you soon.
                                                            
JAMES directs CHERYL to a seat in the waiting room. He walks
off stage. The big clock's minute hand turns a whole hour
giving the audience the impression a whole hour has passed.
                                                            
DARK LADY's voice is heard from backstage.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Please come in Cheryl.
                                                            
CHERYL exits stage left.
                                                            
 

3.

INT. DARK LADY'S FORTUNE ROOM - NIGHT
                                                            
This room is also very gypsy decorated. DARK LADY directs
CHERYL to her seat. DARK LADY then lights candles and begins
to sing and deal cards.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Read me the two cards in front of
you.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I see a black Jack and a red
three.
                                                            
DARK LADY covers her face with her hands. She then rubs them
together and whispers something inaudible into them. she
hovers her hands over the only two cards.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Read me once more, the cards in
front of you.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (astonished)
The cards have just switched
colors!
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Good. You're perfect.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I'm sorry, I never got your name.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Dark Lady. I am Dark lady. That is
the name you need to know.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes Dark Lady
                                                            
DARK LADY walks to the side of the room. she approaches a
shelf and takes a crystal ball. She places the ball in the
center of the table and gazes through it.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Cheryl Denise Burnes. Here to New
Orleans alone from Baskerville,
only 30 miles north.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes, exactly. I like to come here
sometimes.
                                                            

4.

                       DARK LADY
You enjoy being alone because you
feel neglected. As if some people
ignore you.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (Realizing)
Well... i guess.. yes.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Why do you feel so alone?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I'm not sure.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You grew up with three siblings.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes, and I --
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You believe you weren't always as
shy as you are today.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes--
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Your mother didn't pay as much
attention to you as you would've
liked.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Not in the way I would have liked.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
It's tough not having a niche.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I guess you could say so.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And your father, he isn't in the
picture much.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
My father had a best friend named
Jack.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Jack Daniels. A mutual friend of
your mother's
                                                            

5.

                       CHERYL
Only at times.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Times when she's disappointed.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
exactly
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Or depressed.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Which was not very rare.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
In my younger years it was.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Your younger years before you
realized you didn't belong.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Didn't belong?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Yes, your siblings were very
gifted.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
My family was very talented.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Tiffany Burnes, your oldest
sister.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
A magnificent ballerina.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
She held the title of the best
ballet dancer in Louisiana.
                                                            
CHERYL feels slightly uncomfortable.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Mother was so happy then.
                                                            

6.

                       DARK LADY
She still hurt you occasionally
though.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
How Could she not? I was not the
ballet dancer.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Nor were you the Quarterback.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I wasn't
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Justin Burnes was though.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
My brother, and a great one at
that.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Your mother wasn't depressed then
either.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Not toward Justin.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And Lisa Burnes was a beautiful
singer.
                                                            
CHERYL is clearly very uncomfortable talking about her
siblings.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes she was. Wonderful.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
What was it like trying to be like
your siblings?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Trying to be like them?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Perfect. Attention grabbing.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I never tried to be like them.
                                                            

7.

                       DARK LADY
You always knew how to except who
you are?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Not exactly.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Of course not.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
But i always had to. That's all i
could do.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And the older you got the closer
your mother and Jack became.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
No matter what my mother always
loved my siblings.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Because they were perfect, and you
were not.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Look.. i just don't think--
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Your mother had quite a way of
telling you how imperfect you
were.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
She clearly stated what was on her
mind.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Even if that meant telling you how
you compared with your star
quality siblings.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Something along those lines.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And after the accident..
                                                            
                       CHERYL
She didn't only verbally hurt me.
                                                            

8.

                       DARK LADY
Tell me about that night.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
What night?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
No need to deny it Cheryl. I am
well aware of your troubles. It's
admitting them to me on which you
need to focus.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
They all went to the movies. I
stayed home with mom. To make sure
she didn't go over the edge. She
was sick. mentally.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
What happened that night?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
When they were on their way home
it was storming outside. Mom told
me to call them to make sure they
were okay.
                                                            
CHERYL begins to cry and grow hysterical.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
It's all my fault! It's all my
fault! I killed them! They crashed
because of my phone call. Tiff
couldn't see ahead of her and she
was distracted by my phone call. I
KILLED MY SIBLINGS. My perfect,
beautiful, wonderful siblings.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And how did your mother feel about
this?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I'll tell you how she felt. She
told me everyday of my life how
that should have been me in the
car.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
And you believed her.
                                                            

9.

                       CHERYL
Of course i did! I was nothing
special. but my sisters and
brother had it. They could've been
famous. And now they can never be.
All because I made that phone
call.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You grew up believing everything
your mother said.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (Begins to settle
       back down)
That's all i ever knew.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
That is why you are known for
being timid.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Because i killed my siblings?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Because you believe you killed
your siblings.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You let people walk all over you.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I don't deserve more.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You believe that solely because no
one has ever told you different.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
My husband used to.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
But he does no longer.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
No, he's changed a lot.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Has he changed or have his true
colors been exposed?
                                                            

10.

                       CHERYL
      (confused)
I don't see what you mean
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
For years your only surroundings
have been doubt. Your mother never
showed you any different.
Naturally you would be attracted
to someone who shows you immediate
attention.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
My husband is--
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
He has changed significantly
throughout your marriage to him.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes, but that is rather normal.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Change itself is a good thing. Not
in every case.
                                                            
CHERYL stares at DARK LADY
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You know all of this already.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
I love my husband.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Does your husband love you?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (confident but
       questioning)
I believe he does.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Why is he home now?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
We all need our space.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You have true friends, do you not?
                                                            

11.

                       CHERYL
Yes i do, my friends are very
close to me.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Why do you r friends not join you
today?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
because I feel I need to be alone.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Do you fully trust those who you
leave behind?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (irritated)
Why are you asking such questions?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
The man you love does not only
love you.
                                                            
CHERYL is completely astonished and speechless. She has not
an idea of how to react.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
But I.. No.. He wouldn't--
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
He would.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
But with whom?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
Someone who is very close to you.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (Still completely
       shocked)
This can't be. There's no way
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
You must listen to me, for years
since the death of your siblings
you have let your mother, your
husband and those around you walk
all over you. You must stand your
ground tonight and end your
relationship with your husband. If
you don't, it will end in death.
                                                            

12.

                       CHERYL
      (Shocked and
       Horrified)
Death?! Death of whom?
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
I can't say.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (panicked)
Yes, you have to say. Please!
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
No I'm sorry you have to leave
now.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (begging)
Dark Lady please. Please tell me
the truth.
                                                            
DARK LADY is getting annoyed and concerned with CHERYL's
behavior.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
      (annoyed)
Your time is up Cheryl. You need
to leave now.
                                                            
DARK LADY walks off of the stage. Her voice is still audible
to the audience.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
James that was too intense. I
believe that is the last card i
flip in New Orleans.
                                                            
After sitting in the same seat for a little longer, CHERYL
finally moves and exits off of the stage.
                                                            
 
INT. CHERYL'S HOUSE - NIGHT
                                                            
Cheryl enters her House through stage right. Her Husband is
in his night clothes and he is reading a News Paper.
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Cheryl? Where've you been?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (calmy)
I went to New Orleans today, I
told you this already.
                                                            

13.

                       HUSBAND
Well next time tell me again so
that i remember.
                                                            
CHERYL rolls her eyes in mockery toward her husband while he
isn't looking.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
      (sarcastically)
yes dear
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
What did you do in the city?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Just typical sight seeing things
and what-not.
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
I see
                                                            
                       CHERYL
What did you do all day?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Don't worry about what i did
today.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Well i'm sorry i asked.
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Good. I'm glad you're taking
responsibility for actions.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
what?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
You know better than to question
me on what i do during the day.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
How could i forget?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Cheryl, if you have something you
need to say to me, please say it.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Why do you say that?
                                                            

14.

                       HUSBAND
You have been acting slightly
strange this evening.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
have I?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Is Something on your mind?
                                                            
CHERYL remembers what DARK LADY said to her before. DARK
LADY'S voice is heard from backstage in an aside as if from
CHERYL's memory.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
      (in an aside)
You must stand your
ground tonight and end your
relationship with your husband. If
you don't, it will end in death.
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Cheryl?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
yeah, what ?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
are you feeling alright?
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Yes, just fine. Why do you ask?
                                                            
                       HUSBAND
Because i know you, and i know you
have something to say.
                                                            
                       DARK LADY
      (in an aside)
End your relationship with your
husband.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
No, no. it's fine.
                                                            
 
INT. CHERYL IS ALONE ON COUCH - NIGHT
                                                            
CHERYL is alone on her couch. She is desperately trying to
fall asleep but she is too preoccupied with thoughts of DARK
LADY.
                                                            
CHERYL sits up and inhales through her nose.
                                                            

15.

                       CHERYL
Something smells.... familiar.
                                                            
CHERYL opens up her bedroom door to find DARK LADY and her
HUSBAND kissing on the bed. She pulls a gun from her dresser
drawer and points it to them.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
So this is why the relationship
had to end hm?
                                                            
DARK LADY and HUSBAND look up at CHERYL horrified.
                                                            
                       CHERYL
Dark lady you have read your last
fortune.
                                                            
CHERYL shoots DARK LADY & HUSBAND DEAD.
                                                            


FADE OUT.


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