I did write the entire script in roughly one sitting, then cast and recorded it immediately - I wanted to see if I could make an entire episode in a single week, which I basically did.

The most challenging effect in this was throwing the chiffoniere down the stairs.

I actually have a sort of sequel - more in tone than using the same character(s), obviously - in mind, and may do it someday. A big part of the idea for this was to make the vast bulk of the dialog mine, so I didn’t have to get too much out of other people, thus making it a quicker recording turnaround.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

I'm going to explain, sort of, what this episode is and what it means, at the end of the transcript, below. A lot of info will be there, since most of my memories of making this are tied up in why I wrote what I wrote.

***********************************************************

WHERE ARE YOU NOW?

Cast:

Olivia
Doc (F/40+), german, sounds like shrink
Marnie (F/20), hysterical young woman
Harold (M/30), mush mouthed freak
Fred (M/30), a crooked deputy
Old Man (M/senile)
Creepy Little Girl (F/10)
Creepy Little Boy (M/10)
Momma (F/30ish), Mrs. Cleaver - with cleaver
Jerry (M/20), Marnie's dead boyfriend.

OLIVIA Did you have any trouble finding it? What do you mean, what kind of a place is it? Don't you know where you are?

MUSIC

SCENE 1.

SOUND A SLOW CHORD, WHICH STAYS UNTIL NOTED

DOC Where are you now?

MARNIE [startled awake] What?

DOC Can you hear my voice, Marnie?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC Where are you now?

MARNIE [slightly panicked] I - I don't know.

DOC Tell me what you see.

MARNIE I see a room.

DOC Are there people in the room?

MARNIE [fear] Yes!

DOC You are safe, Marnie. Calm down. Now tell me what you see.

MARNIE [calm, almost robotic] I see five people sitting at the table.

DOC Are you sitting with them?

MARNIE No, I'm in the corner.

DOC Do they know you're there?

MARNIE [ominous] Oh, yes.

DOC Tell me what they look like.

MARNIE There's a very old man, a small boy, a girl who looks a bit older than the boy, a police officer, and a very large man with a bag over his head.

DOC Is there food on the table?

MARNIE No. It's not here yet.

DOC Good. Tell me one thing about the little girl.

MARNIE Her eyes can suck your soul.

DOC Good. And the old man?

MARNIE He has a scar on his leg that aches when it rains.

DOC Good. Has the food arrived yet?

MARNIE The one with the bag is named Harold.

DOC Please answer only the questions I ask you, Marnie.

MARNIE [frightened, small] I'm sorry.

DOC I forgive you.

MARNIE I love you.

DOC That was not the question.

MARNIE [trying to remember] Um. Um. The food! No. Still no food.

DOC Good. Are you comfortable?

MARNIE [lying, almost a whisper] Yessss.

DOC Very good. Tell me about where you are sitting.

MARNIE I'm in the corner.

DOC Are you in a chair? Look down.

MARNIE It's a chair with wheels, and straps.

DOC Straps? Are you strapped in?

MARNIE [breathing hard, getting louder and louder] Yes - my hands are - hands are - I can move them, but the leather cuffs - like movies about crazy people!

DOC Are you crazy?

MARNIE [almost a wail] No!

DOC Can you control yourself, Marnie?

MARNIE [a couple of gasping breaths, then quickly] Yes!

DOC I can help you.

MARNIE [wail] No! No! [gasp, then tight but controlled] No. I'm all right.

DOC For now.

MARNIE I feel... peachy.

DOC [beat] Your hands are restrained. What else?

MARNIE There's a strap around my chest, and I can feel one around my legs.

DOC Do the people talk?

MARNIE Yes. Some. They're waiting for someone.

DOC Someone? Or the food?

MARNIE [almost hysterical] I don't know!

DOC What do they say? Tell me exactly.

MARNIE I'll try--

DOC [still even and calm] Trying isn't going to cut it, missy.

MARNIE [noisy gulp]

DOC I know you can do it.

MARNIE [sob] The man with the bag doesn't talk at all.

DOC Harold?

MARNIE Yes, Harold.

DOC And?

MARNIE The policeman says--

MUSIC FADES OUT, NO OTHER TRANSITION

SCENE 2.

FRED You shoulda seen her! Jumped clean over the fence.

BOY I can do that.

OLD MAN Pancakes.

FRED You can't 'cause - 'cause you're a little butterball.

BOY I'm magic.

GIRL [pronouncing] You are a shoe.

SOUND CLATTER OF SPOON DROPPED ON PLATE

OLD MAN Pancakes! Pan! Cakes!

FRED [panicky, trying to calm him] Shh! Shh! Pancakes, yes. It's all coming. Shh. Clouds. [dropping to a whisper] Little white fluffy clouds.

OLD MAN [drawn out whisper] Pancakesssss. Pancakes.

SOUND MOMENT OF SILENCE, THEN

SCENE 3.

MUSIC COMES IN WITH A CHORD

DOC [sigh] You know what happens when you lie to me.

MARNIE [resigned groan] I'm not lying.

DOC Pancakes?

MARNIE [almost a sob] Yes.

DOC The food - is it there yet?

MARNIE [sharp gasp, then frightened] It's coming!

DOC Good. Let's move forward. Who brings the food?

MARNIE [awe, fear] Momma.

DOC Tell me.

MARNIE [mounting fear] Perfect. Plastic. Pearls. Each hair in line, like sweet little soldiers.

DOC She is carrying--?

MARNIE [rising fear] She ...has a cart. There is a covered dish.

DOC What are you wearing?

MARNIE [snapped back] What?

DOC I ask the questions.

MARNIE I'm sorry!

DOC What are you wearing. Look down.

MARNIE Oh. [beat] T-shirt, jeans - I can feel ... sneakers.

DOC And--?

MARNIE What?

DOC [warning] And--?

MARNIE My clothes? They're... torn up - I think I was in a fight.

DOC [calm again] Are you injured?

MARNIE [beat] My ankle hurts. I'm scratched up. My... head...

DOC [avid] Is there blood?

MARNIE I -

DOC [avid] Is there blood?

MARNIE I - I don't think it's mine.

DOC Tell me who then.

MARNIE [on a long sigh] Jerry.

DOC How?

MARNIE [shocked] I found him in the barn. He was flopped over the edge of the ...hayloft - I thought he was dead. There was blood everywhere. [starting to sob] Dripping all over me.

DOC What did you--

MARNIE [interrupting, still sobbing] Then he - he moaned.

MUSIC FADES OUT

SCENE 4.

JERRY [very weak] Marnie!

MARNIE [whispering] Jerry! Oh, god - Jerry!

SOUND CREAKING OF LADDER

JERRY Help... me....

MARNIE Here, let me move you - [grunt as she drags him]

JERRY [moans, trying to keep quiet]

MARNIE Oh, god.

JERRY It's bad.

MARNIE I think so. It's too dark.

JERRY [gasping, in agony] No. It was the kid. You have to get out of here!

MARNIE But you--

JERRY I ... I'm not going anywhere ... you gotta go and get help!

MARNIE Where?

JERRY Just get the hell out! The woods--

MARNIE [smothered gasping sob]

JERRY [whisper] Shit!

HAROLD 3,4 shut the door...?

SOUND BARN DOOR CREAKS OPEN

MARNIE [smothered gasping sob]

SOUND SILENCE, THEN

SCENE 5.

MUSIC CUTS IN

DOC Is that when they took you in?

MARNIE No. Jerry distracted him.

DOC Who?

MARNIE Harold.

DOC [satisfied, smug] Harold.

MARNIE [sobbing] After I jumped out the window, I heard Jerry scream.

DOC [warning] Did I ask?

MARNIE No?

DOC You don't sound very sure.

MARNIE [quick, panicky] No. You didn't ask. I'm sorry.

DOC I think you need a reminder--

MARNIE Please! I remember! [long beat, then] I... love you.

DOC Pancakes.

MARNIE Pancakes?

DOC Is the food on the table?

MARNIE [long shaky sigh of relief] Yes.

DOC Where did you sleep?

MARNIE [blindsided] What?

DOC Where did you sleep?

MARNIE I didn't.... Oh, I was... knocked out. The food‑‑?

DOC Please try and keep up. When were you knocked out?

MARNIE That was later - after... Jerry.

DOC Who did it?

MARNIE Harold, I said it was Harold.

DOC That knocked you out.

MARNIE Oh, no. He did Jerry.

DOC You're not following. Let's have a break.

MARNIE [long wail] No!!!

SOUND ELECTRIC HUM

MARNIE Umumumumum. [jittery series of hums, like being electrocuted]

MUSIC OUT

SOUND HEARTBEAT

SCENE 6.

AMBIANCE WOODS, CHEERFUL

SOUND CRUNCHING OF WALKING

JERRY Marnie?

MARNIE Yeah?

JERRY Uh, This camping trip isn't too bad, eh? I mean, I know you didn't want to--

MARNIE [sweet] It's not too bad. Gloria had to beg me to get me to come, but... It's OK.

JERRY I mean, what can you say against nature, right? Fresh air, secluded lake. Perfect for... skinny dipping?

MARNIE I brought a suit.

JERRY Ah... It'll be cool.

MARNIE Probably freezing - that's a glacier-fed lake. But, yes, it will be fun.

JERRY Good. You don't mind ... Gloria being kinda busy all the time?

MARNIE Oh, you noticed? [laughs] She and Tim haven't stopped fooling around since we got here.

MUSIC SUDDENLY CUTS IN

SCENE 7.

DOC Better now?

MARNIE [gasping, shuddering, trying to force words out coherently] Better. Yes. Of course.

DOC Good. Let's continue.

MARNIE [snorty sob, then deep breath] All right.

DOC Jerry died.

MARNIE [almost a sob] Yes.

DOC You loved him.

MARNIE I think so.

DOC You don't know?

MARNIE I - I liked him, but we were just getting to know... each... other? [afraid she said something wrong, gasping snorty sobs]

DOC [beat, then slightly disdainful] How sweet.

MARNIE [she calms a bit]

DOC Did you screw him?

MARNIE No!

DOC Of course not - pure sweet innocent you.

MARNIE I-- I don't--

DOC [casual] Shut up.

MARNIE [hiccuping gasp]

DOC Where is Gloria?

MARNIE Gloria? [starting to cry] She's my best friend.

DOC Was that the question?

MARNIE She... she... Um [trying to remember] she's dead?

DOC [sigh, tsks]

MARNIE No - no! She's - was - in the van.

DOC Very good. [beat] When did you find her?

MARNIE Uh - after the barn. I was trying to get away. [suddenly remembering] Jerry gave me the keys.

DOC Good old Jerry. Go on.

MARNIE I ran to the van, and Gloria and Tim ... were... [sobs]

DOC Please be specific.

MARNIE [through sobs] They were in the middle of - you know--

DOC Sex?

MARNIE Yes. They were together, and someone had cut off... both... their... heads...!

DOC [Tsks]

MARNIE The heads were lined up next to them... like they were watching.

DOC Charming.

MARNIE Checking their progress.

DOC Has the food arrived?

MARNIE [gasp, stops herself from speaking, then dead calm] Yes. Momma is in the room.

DOC What does she do?

MARNIE [getting agitated] She opens the dish.

DOC What is in the dish?

MARNIE [almost incapable of speaking] Sssteam.

DOC Look down at your lap.

MARNIE [snort, hiccup] Yes.

DOC What do you see?

MARNIE My knees. Blood. The carpet. I'm glad the blood is all tacky, so it won't drip and ruin the carpet. They would be so angry.

DOC Are they talking?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC Don't look. Just speak the words.

MARNIE Momma says--

MUSIC OUT

SCENE 8.

MOMMA Three cheers for the founder of the feast.

FRED Hip hip hooray-- [tapers off, when he realizes no one else is with him] Oh.

LITTLE GIRL Can I eat the tail?

LITTLE BOY Pancakes.

OLD MAN PAN CAKES!

FRED You just had to set him off! Didn’t you?

HAROLD [quietly] 1-2 buckle my shoe.

OLD MAN PanCAKES! Lovely golden brown.

MOMMA Nothing like a nice dinner together.

SCENE 9.

DOC Are there empty chairs?

MARNIE No. They are all here.

DOC What about your chair?

MARNIE I'm in it.

DOC Are you? Look back.

MARNIE I'm strapped in.

DOC You must have got free.

MARNIE Yes. I-- [gasps and catches herself]

DOC What?

MARNIE I'm sorry. That wasn't the question.

DOC Good girl.

SOUND ELECTRICITY

MARNIE [hums and groans with the jolts]

SOUND HEARTBEAT

SCENE 10.

AMBIANCE OUTSIDE, PLEASANT WOODS

JERRY Don't worry about it. It was probably just a hiker or something.

MARNIE [mildly worried] But he looked so weird. His face was like a puzzle.

JERRY It was just the bushes.

MARNIE I know.

JERRY I bet it was the weird guy we saw on the road on the way in. You know, the one that just stood there and stared as we drove past. You know. Now, we all agreed this weekend is for fun.

SOUND SPLASH

MARNIE What was that?

JERRY What?

MARNIE The splash?

JERRY Wow, you need some serious relaxation.

MARNIE But I heard a splash, and -- Something wet?

JERRY Nonsense. [fading out] It's just last night's rain.

DOC [whispered voice, very spooky] Marnie.

MARNIE Jerry! I know you must have heard that!

JERRY Marnie, you're making yourself into a basket case. There's nobody for miles around! It's perfectly safe.

MARNIE But that voice--

DOC [quick echoey whisper] Marnie.

MARNIE It knows my name!

DOC Wake up!

SOUND WOODS VANISH

SCENE 11.

MARNIE [Crying] Why can't you just leave me?

DOC Now, that wouldn't do either of us any good, would it?

MARNIE I want to stay there. With my friends.

DOC And die?

MARNIE [hiccups sobs, then uncertain] Yes.

DOC I don't think that's quite true.

MARNIE Yes.

DOC You fought so hard to get here.

MARNIE I walked on broken glass.

DOC Poor toes. Poor little piggies.

MARNIE [resigned] What do you want?

DOC I ask the questions.

MARNIE [sigh] Fine. Go on.

DOC I also give the orders.

MARNIE [beat, sniff] I'm ready.

DOC Maybe you can learn the rules. [beat] Very good. Where are you now?

MARNIE Right here.

DOC Are you?

MARNIE [unsure] Yes.

DOC Close your eyes and when you open them, you will see clouds.

MARNIE Clouds?

DOC Do you see them?

MARNIE I'm afraid.

DOC Open your eyes.

MARNIE Clouds.

SCENE 12.

OLD MAN k-k-k-k-ake.

LITTLE GIRL Burn it.

MOMMA Dig in!

FRED Again?

LITTLE BOY There's a face in my soup.

SCENE 13.

MARNIE [screams]

DOC Don't backslide.

MARNIE [screams and sobs]

DOC [tsks] And we were making such good progress. [sigh]

SOUND SINGLE SHORT JOLT OF ELECTRICITY

MARNIE [gasps to a stop]

DOC Just right. Thought I was going to lose you.

MARNIE I can't look! Not at that!

DOC Have to toughen you up.

MARNIE I can't--

DOC Look down.

MARNIE My lap.

DOC And in your lap?

MARNIE Hands.

DOC Restrained?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC Really?

MARNIE [unsure] Yes?

DOC Then how will you escape?

MARNIE I... can't.

DOC That is not the right answer.

MARNIE Please help me!

DOC Are they very tight?

MARNIE No. But if I get loose, they'll see.

DOC But if you don't get loose while they eat, you will end up in the clouds.

MARNIE Pancakes.

DOC Precisely. Can you pull loose?

MARNIE I have to brace it against my leg.

DOC Good girl. Now you're thinking. Describe the room.

MARNIE The table--

DOC I know about the table. Where are the windows and doors?

MARNIE The windows are steamed over.

DOC Doors?

MARNIE Momma came from the kitchen. To my right. [slowly, carefully looking around] There's a door beside me. Over my left shoulder.

DOC Watch them. Tell me what they're saying while you get your hands free.

MARNIE I can't--

DOC Do you want it again?

MARNIE No! [beat, breathing harshly] I can't look at them.

DOC Listen.

MUSIC

SCENE 14.

LITTLE BOY I'm not hungry.

LITTLE GIRL I'll eat yours. I want to grow up big and strong.

OLD GUY [mmm mmm mmm - chewing noisily]

HAROLD Five, six.

FRED Tasty, momma. As usual.

MOMMA Oh, you!

MARNIE Almost.

DOC Talk to me, not them.

MARNIE It hurts.

DOC Life is pain.

MOMMA Clean your plate, Hun.

FRED He's a little butterball.

MOMMA [cold as ice] That's not nice.

FRED Sorry, Momma. Sorry! I love you.

MOMMA Did I ask you? Harold - look at this mess.

HAROLD Lay them straight?

MOMMA You can take him and hose him off.

FRED Yes, momma.

MOMMA And soak that pillowcase. [cutesy] Can't have my good linens all stained.

FRED Can I finish eating first?

MOMMA [cold] I don't know, can you?

FRED May I?

MOMMA [sweetness] Of course, dear.

MUSIC

SCENE 15.

MARNIE My right hand is free.

DOC Don't struggle too much. These buckles are tough for a reason.

MARNIE I think the one with the bag--

DOC Harold.

MARNIE --is watching me, but I can’t tell.

DOC Does he say anything?

MARNIE No...

DOC Once you get your wrists free, what will you do?

MARNIE The strap around my chest--

DOC And your legs?

MARNIE I don't think that one is very tight.

DOC Don't underestimate it.

MARNIE Why are you helping me?

DOC [kindly] I ask the questions.

MARNIE Right. Sorry.

DOC No need. Who am I?

MARNIE What? I mean, I don't understand. I don't know.

DOC I think you do.

MARNIE No. I don't know why I'm here.

DOC But you're not.

MARNIE Not what?

DOC Is your wrist free?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC Move your hands slowly to the buckle, then quickly unhook it.

MARNIE Slowly.

DOC Cats see movement.

MARNIE Rods or cones? I forget.

DOC Clouds. Watch the clouds. Unhook the strap.

MARNIE Freeze. They're looking.

DOC Don't move. Let them forget.

MUSIC

SCENE 16.

FRED Should we feed HER?

LITTLE GIRL Throw something at her.

MOMMA A night without supper will do her good. Take Harold - there's a good boy.

FRED Yes, momma.

LITTLE BOY I want a finger. Can I take a finger?

MOMMA If you're good. I'll save one for you.

LITTLE BOY Good as goat.

OLD MAN Gold. Gold is good. Golden brown. Pancakes.... k-k-cake!

MOMMA Yes, popsy. All good.

MUSIC

SCENE 17.

DOC And now?

MARNIE They're looking away. Maybe they will leave me.

DOC Not if they see your wrists are loose. Quick - choose.

MARNIE Choose what?

DOC Unbuckle and run or pretend you're still secure and wait.

MARNIE My ankle hurts.

DOC Then sit.

MARNIE I'll put my hands back.

DOC We will see.

MARNIE D'you think they will?

DOC I can't see the future.

MARNIE Isn’t this a memory?

DOC Is it?

MARNIE Where did I go when I got free?

DOC I ask the questions.

MARNIE But I don't remember.

DOC Take it one moment at a time. Who am I?

MARNIE A doctor?

DOC Medical?

MARNIE No.

DOC Ah - now you're thinking. Let's get through this.

MARNIE They've left the room.

DOC You are alone?

MARNIE The old man is still here. They'll come back for him.

DOC What can you do about that?

MARNIE I'll run.

DOC He'll yell like a klaxon.

MARNIE I've got the buckle undone. Now my legs.

DOC Why don't you kill him?

MARNIE What?

DOC I ask the questions.

MUSIC FADES TO "ROOM TONE"

SCENE 18.

SOUND STUMBLING FOOTSTEPS

MARNIE I'm sorry - I thought I didn’t hear you right. You said to--

DOC There are always pancakes in heaven.

MARNIE Open the gates and let him [exertion] IN!

OLD GUY Oof! [dying noises]

SOUND SQUISH OF KNIFE INTO FLESH, GUSH OF BLOOD

DOC Is there another knife?

MARNIE I have it--

SOUND METAL COVER FALLS TO FLOOR

MARNIE [wail] No!

DOC Stop.

MARNIE [quick] I'm sorry. The platter! Oh, god!

DOC Steam. Clouds.

MARNIE Jerry!

DOC Don't look.

MARNIE I can't --

DOC Jerry is gone. Do it for him.

MARNIE [hissing whisper] Yesss.

DOC Knife?

MARNIE Cleaver.

DOC Nice.

MARNIE [turning a bit gleeful] Cleaver. Momma. Kitchen.

DOC Sounds like a plan.

MARNIE Thank you.

DOC I love you.

MARNIE [serious] That means a lot.

SCENE 19.

SOUND KITCHEN DOOR SWINGS OPEN

DOC Keep down.

MOMMA Hmm? What?

SOUND HIGH HEEL FOOTSTEPS

MOMMA Who's playing games?

MARNIE [whispered] Come just a little closer.

SOUND A COUPLE MORE FOOTSTEPS

MOMMA Hello?

DOC Now!

MARNIE Ungh!

SOUND KNIFE CUTS NYLONS, LEG.

MOMMA [screams]

SOUND BODY COLLAPSES, SHOE SCRABBLES ON TILE FLOOR, BLOOD SPURTS

DOC Neatly done. Hamstring. Quick or slow?

MARNIE No time. Ungh!

SOUND KNIFE GOES IN AGAIN

MOMMA [gurgling, choking]

SOUND HANDS SKITTER ACROSS TILES, THEN FLOP AND DROP

DOC [long sigh] Such a pretty color.

MARNIE Looks good on her.

DOC Four to go.

MARNIE Jerry said it was the kid who... [almost breaks] ...got ...him.

DOC You're finally taking this all seriously.

SOUND THUMP OVERHEAD

MARNIE How many stairs would the house have?

SOUND DOOR OPENS A CRACK

DOC [kindly] I ask the questions. You'll have to count them.

MARNIE I should see if there's something longer.

DOC Tablecloths can cloud the issue.

MARNIE You and your clouds.

SOUND FEET COMING DOWN THE STAIRS

DOC six, five, four--

MARNIE Three, two one ---

SOUND DOOR STARTS TO OPEN, THEN IS SLAMMED SHUT, BODY FALLS

FRED [yell, groan]

DOC Full point.

SOUND DOOR SLAMS OPEN AGAIN

FRED Momma? What are you doing--?

MARNIE I ask the questions.

DOC I love you.

FRED I think you broke my-- urk!

SOUND KNIFE PLUNGES INTO THROAT

FRED [gurgling as he dies]

DOC It's quite warm, isn’t it?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC Hot.

MARNIE Boiling.

DOC [concerned] Steam?

MARNIE [dismissive] Clouds.

DOC [satisfied] Yesss. Time to go hunting.

MARNIE Rods or cones?

DOC Sticks and stones.

MARNIE [chuckles]

SCENE 20.

SOUND CAREFUL FOOTSTEPS UP THE STAIRS

SOUND CREAK, FEET STOP

DOC Steady. Where are you now?

MARNIE Almost to the top.

DOC What do you see?

MARNIE Hallway. Doors.

DOC And behind you?

MARNIE Just the stairs.

DOC [stern] Did you look, or just guess?

MARNIE [panicky] Sorry! I'll - I'll look. It's stairs. The door at the bottom is shut.

DOC Did you shut it?

MARNIE [almost a wail] I don't remember!

DOC Calm down. One, two buckle my shoe--

HAROLD [off, calling] Three four, shut the door--

MARNIE [quiet, calming herself] Five six. Pick. Up. Sticks.

DOC Harold is looking too.

MARNIE [calm again] Yes.

DOC Don't forget the children.

MARNIE [breaks a little] Jerry

DOC Yah, dear Jerry.

HAROLD [coming closer] Seven? eight? Lay them straight?

MARNIE [very quietly] Marco!

DOC [chuckles nastily, then] Here in the hall, or one of the rooms?

MARNIE Here. Here I have someplace to go--

SOUND DOOR WRENCHED OPEN AT BOTTOM OF STAIRS

HAROLD Nine, ten - a big fat hen!

DOC What will you do now?

SOUND FOOTSTEPS COMING UP STAIRS

SOUND GRIND OF FURNITURE BEING MOVED

MARNIE [exerting herself] No one ever fights them. That's why.

DOC What was the question?

HAROLD Eleven, Twelve - dig and delve.

MARNIE [exerting] Why do they always win?

DOC Excellent.

MARNIE I love you.

DOC Of course.

SOUND GRIND OF FURNITURE ENDS, HEAVY SOMETHING GOES THUMPING DOEN THE STAIRS

MARNIE Hah!

HAROLD [scream of outrgae]

DOC Don't get too full of yourself--

SOUND STAB

MARNIE [gasp of pain]

LITTLE GIRL [flat] You broke the chiffonier.

DOC It's low. You'll live. For a while. Kill her.

MARNIE She's just a kid!

SOUND SHUFFLING FOOTSTEPS BACKING UP, SMALL CHILD FOOTSTEPS STALKING, INTERMITTENT DRIPPING

DOC You do not ask the questions!

MARNIE [meek and in pain] No. I'm sorry!

LITTLE GIRL We could have played. [tsks]

SOUND KNIVES SHARPENING

MARNIE You hurt me!

LITTLE GIRL If I didn't, Harold would just have to.

MARNIE I- I can't!

DOC No time for breaks now. Give or take. [beat, solemn] I love you.

MARNIE I'm sorry.

SOUND MARNIE DASHES FORWARD

MARNIE Ung!

SOUND PICKS UP GIRL AND TOSSES HER DOWN THE STAIRS

LITTLE GIRL [noises of indignation as she falls]

SOUND THUMPS AND BUMPS

DOC [whispered] No breaks.

MARNIE I'm... hurt.

SOUND STICKY NOISE

DOC You should go home.

SOUND [OFF] DOOR SLAMS OPEN

MARNIE Harold!

DOC In here!

MARNIE Aah!

HAROLD [incoherent high pitched scream]

SOUND BODY SLAMS AGAINST DOOR, DOOR SLAMS OPEN, BODY TUMBLES INTO ROOM. MARNIE SCOOTCHES AWAY FROM DOOR.

SCENE 21.

SOUND MARNIE SCRAMBLES UP TO HER FEET

DOC Out the window.

MARNIE [panting heavily]

SOUND FOOTSTEPS DRAG ACROSS THE ROOM, DRIPPING.

SOUND POUNDING ON THE WINDOW

MARNIE It won't open.

DOC It is glass.

MARNIE [long gasping breath, then] ungh!

SOUND WINDOW SHATTERS

DOC Out!

MARNIE But I can't see--

DOC You can see what's in here.

MARNIE [scream as she jumps]

SOUND ELECTRIC NOISES

SCENE 22.

DOC Where are you now?

AMBIANCE NIGHTTIME, OUTSIDE

MARNIE I'm on the ground. What should I do?

DOC [rueful] You don't ask the questions.

MARNIE Zap me again.

DOC It's much too late for that. Why aren't you running?

MARNIE I think I'm broken.

DOC Will that stop you?

MARNIE I don't care any more.

DOC Are you absolutely sure?

SOUND DOOR BANGS OPEN, OFF

MARNIE [crying, crawling]

DOC Is it bad?

MARNIE Yes.

DOC I am sorry.

MARNIE I know.

HAROLD [howling]

DOC I love you.

LITTLE BOY [off] There she goes!

HAROLD [howling]

SOUND CHAINSAW REVS

DOC Where are you now?

MARNIE In deep shit.

DOC Where?

MARNIE Out back.

SOUND HEAVY FEET RUN ACROSS GRAVEL, COMING ON

DOC Where are you going?

SOUND BODY DROPS

MARNIE [muffled, crying] Nowhere.

DOC Nowhere?

MARNIE [panting, crying a little] I can't. My leg.

SOUND ROAR OF CHAINSAW GETS CLOSER

DOC What do you want?

MARNIE How can you ask that?

DOC It's my job.

MARNIE [beat] Jerry--

DOC But Jerry's--

MARNIE [sob] Yes!

DOC Very well. Let's take that break.

SOUND ELECTRIC HUM

MARNIE Umumum

SOUND HEARTBEAT

SCENE 23.

AMB NICEY WOODS

SOUND FOOTSTEPS

JERRY [teasing] What took you so long?

MARNIE [bright] Sorry. Got a little caught up.

JERRY Is there anything wrong?

MARNIE No, Not anymore.

JERRY Wanna go down to the lake?

MARNIE More than anything.

SOUND FOOTSTEPS IN LEAVES

SOUND ECHOEY, DISTANT - CHAINSAW, MARNIE'S SCREAMS

CLOSER

OLIVIA Now that you know how to find us, you'll have to come back. Maybe next week? Don't be a stranger - we have enough of those already...

***********************************************************

The "Truth":

This story is going on inside the disturbed mind of a victim of a "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" type event. Her boyfriend and other friends were killed by this creepy family of cannibals, and she was captured and chained to a chair.

At first it sounds like she is being psychoanalyzed after the fact, but eventually it becomes clear that this is not "after" anything, she is still stuck in the events she is describing.

The "Doctor" voice is, in fact, inside her head, and seems to represent her logic or her survival instinct - keeping her head clear and focused while the rest of her is busy panicking. For example, the voice guides her to look around, to avoid things that are disturbing, and to focus on getting herself free.

When all else fails, Doc "shocks" Marnie into a faint, where she experiences a pleasant flashback/dream to calm her down before returning to reality.

To add to the dreamlike atmosphere of the story, and the connectedness of the two, the voices of Marnie and Doc are both played by me, and rotate - moving across the soundscape to trade places - very slowly throughout the episode.

At the end, when there is no remaining hope, Marnie begs Doc for the shock - so she can be unconscious and "in a better place" when they ultimately kill her - and Doc kindly allows it.

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