Talking in the Dark

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Talking in the Dark Page 2

by Dennis Etchison


  HANK

  Don’t need any.

  JOLENE

  But you like it sweet.

  HANK

  Give me your hand.

  JOLENE

  Why?

  HANK

  Stir it with your finger.

  JOLENE

  What for?

  HANK

  That’ll make it plenty sweet!

  JOLENE

  (laughing) Oh, you!

  SOUND

  A BELL ON THE DOOR JINGLES AS VICTOR ENTERS.

  VICTOR

  (a little out of breath) Sorry I’m late.

  JOLENE

  Go ahead and have a seat. Any table is fine. (calling) Walt?

  WALT

  (off) Yeah?

  JOLENE

  One more and I’m outta here.

  WALT

  Sure thing, Jolene. What’ll it be?

  JOLENE

  Hold on.

  SOUND

  SHE CROSSES TO THE TABLE AS VICTOR SITS.

  VICTOR

  It’s almost seven-thirty. . .

  JOLENE

  Will you relax? When’s the last time you ate?

  VICTOR

  I had something.

  JOLENE

  When?

  VICTOR

  I – don’t remember.

  JOLENE

  I swear, you’re gonna waste away. (calling) Make it a Blue Plate Special.

  WALT

  (off) Comin’ up.

  SOUND

  OFF: A SIZZLING FROM THE GRILL.

  AS JOLENE PULLS BACK A CHAIR AND SITS.

  VICTOR

  You should go on without me.

  JOLENE

  Well now, that wouldn’t be any fun.

  VICTOR

  But you wanted to see this one.

  JOLENE

  It’ll be out on DVD. Then maybe we can – you know. Watch it together. I mean, if you want to.

  VICTOR

  I don’t even have a player.

  JOLENE

  You don’t?

  VICTOR

  Susan took everything.

  JOLENE

  Oh. (a beat) Victor, look at me. Are you all right?

  VICTOR

  I’m fine.

  JOLENE

  Are you?

  VICTOR

  I didn’t get much sleep, is all.

  JOLENE

  I can tell.

  VICTOR

  Don’t worry about me.

  JOLENE

  But I do.

  VICTOR

  Jolene. . .

  JOLENE

  Listen. You’re my friend – we’re friends. And friends tell each other things. Don’t they?

  VICTOR

  I guess.

  JOLENE

  Well, you never tell me anything.

  VICTOR

  Nothing to tell. I go to work, I go home. I read. Sometimes I have dreams. I get up. . .

  JOLENE

  What kind of dreams?

  VICTOR

  You don’t want to know.

  JOLENE

  That’s just it. I do. Know what I think? I think you read too much.

  VICTOR

  What’s wrong with reading?

  JOLENE

  Too much of that horror stuff, I mean.

  VICTOR

  Only the ones by Rex. I know every story by heart.

  JOLENE

  I’ll bet you do.

  VICTOR

  I wish he’d write more. I’d read them all.

  JOLENE

  Tell me one thing. What’s so special about him?

  MUSIC

  FADE IN EPISODE SCORE.

  VICTOR

  Well. . . he’s the only one who gets it right. I mean, there are lots of people who write horror. But they just do it for the money. Vampires, werewolves, the same old thing. Kids’ stuff. Who cares? Rex, though, he’s been there, I can tell. He knows.

  JOLENE

  Knows what?

  SOUND

  WALTER WALKS OVER TO THEIR TABLE AND SETS A PLATE DOWN.

  WALT

  One shrimp platter.

  JOLENE

  I coulda got it, Walt.

  WALT

  You’re off the clock, Jolie. Piece of pie with that?

  JOLENE

  (to Victor) What kind you want?

  VICTOR

  Oh, no thanks. I don’t have much of an appetite.

  JOLENE

  Just the Blue Plate, then. Take it out of my tip jar?

  VICTOR

  Wait. I can pay.

  WALT

  This one’s on the house.

  SOUND

  WALTER WALKS AWAY. JOLENE SLIDES THE PLATE ACROSS THE TABLE.

  JOLENE

  Enjoy. It’s the only thing you’ll let me do for you.

  VICTOR

  (sighing) That’s not true. . .

  SOUND

  RELUCTANTLY, VICTOR BEGINS TO EAT.

  JOLENE

  (low, urgently) Listen. Come over to my place – right now. I’ve got Blu-Ray. You can see anything you want. Do you hear what I’m saying? Anything.

  VICTOR

  Not tonight.

  JOLENE

  Then when?

  VICTOR

  Maybe next week.

  JOLENE

  Uh-huh. I get the messaage.

  VICTOR

  It’s not you. . .

  JOLENE

  Then what is it? Look, I’m not her – can you get that through your head?

  VICTOR

  I’m working on it.

  SOUND

  SHE GETS UP FROM THE TABLE.

  JOLENE

  (impatient) Well, when you do, drop me a postcard. In the meantime, why don’t you tell Rex Christian all about it? Maybe he’ll understand!

  MUSIC

  EPISODE SCORE.

  SLOW BRIDGE THRU TO:

  SOUND

  EXT. – COUNTRYSIDE.

  RURAL NIGHT ATMOSPHERE. DISTANT FLOWING WATER. FOOTSTEPS ON DIRT.

  NARRATOR

  He walked the two miles along the river with his fists in his pockets. He wanted to get home before the past, his past, settled over him like giant wings.

  SOUND

  HIS FOOTSTEPS ON GRAVEL, THEN STONE.

  HE STOPS AND UNLOCKS A DOOR.

  INT. – A LARGE OLD HOUSE.

  VICTOR LETS HIMSELF IN. WE FOLLOW HIM AS HE CROSSES AND SITS DOWN, SETTING THE BOOK BEFORE HIM ON A DESKTOP.

  NARRATOR

  He felt as if the only connection he had

  NARRATOR (cont’d)

  with the world was this book of stories. He could hardly wait to read the next one.

  SOUND

  HE OPENS THE BOOK AND LEAFS THRU PAGES.

  NARRATOR

  Then, quite suddenly, it came to him. Something she had said. The idea grew until he could think of nothing else. Perhaps she was right. He didn’t know if it would work. But he had to try.

  SOUND

  A DRAWER OPENING. A PEN CLICKING AND SCRATCHING PAPER.

  VICTOR

  (slowly, as he writes) Dear sir. I do not have your home address. . . so I am sending this. . . in care of your publisher. If it does not reach you. . . let me know. I am not in the habit of writing to famous authors. This is the first time. So please bear with me. I have been reading your works for approximately six years. Mr. Christian, Rex if I may call you that, you are my favorite author and greatest fan. Some people say you are too depressing but I disagree. You do not write for chldren or women with weak hearts. I have all of your works. They are very excellent plots, to

  VICTOR (cont’d)

  tell the truth they scare the shit out of me if you know what I mean and I think you do, wink wink. I hope I haven’t missed any. If so please send a list of the titles. I am enclosing a self-addressed envelope for your convienience. My wife introduced me to your books, my ex-wife I should say and I guess I should thank her for that much. She
left me two-and-one-half years ago, took the kids, I don’t know why, she didn’t say. Twice with my late parents’ help I found out where she was staying but too late. So that is the way she wants it. I miss my kids, though. . .

  NARRATOR

  He went on in that vein for three hand-written pages, until his fingers began to cramp. It was time to end the letter.

  VICTOR

  . . . If you ever find yourself in my neck of the woods, please feel free to drop by. We could have some beers and talk about the many things we have in common. I have a very important question to ask you, I hope you don’t mind. It’s a simple thing (to you) and I’m sure you could answer it. I don’t know anybody else who can help. I live in my parents’ old house now. My number is 474-2841. If I’m not here I’ll be at Victor’s Fix-It Shop, or at the Blue and White Diner on Main Street. You can’t miss it. Please stop by on your next visit to the West Coast. We horror fans have to stick together. As you said in your introduction to “Nightmare Territory”. . . it may be a long time till morning, but there’s no law against talking in the dark. Sincerely yours, Victor Rippon.

  SOUND

  HE PUTS THE PEN DOWN ON THE DESK, SITS BACK IN THE CREAKING CHAIR, AND SIGHS.

  NARRATOR

  He would mail the letter first thing tomorrow. For now. . . there was nothing to do but wait.

  MUSIC

  EPISODE SCORE.

  SLOW BRIDGE THRU TO:

  SOUND

  INT. – DINER.

  IN THE B.G., FROM A SMALL RADIO: CHRISTMAS MUSIC WITH JINGLING SLEIGHBELLS. AS A CASH REGISTER DRAWER SLIDES OPEN.

  JOLENE

  That’ll be fourteen thirty-seven, with tax.

  MAN

  Sure does add up.

  JOLENE

  Let’s see. Two burger combos with fries, two Cokes – and something for the Governor.

  Here’s your change.

  SOUND

  SHE MAKES CHANGE AND CLOSES THE DRAWER.

  BOY

  Can I have an ice cream?

  MAN

  I don’t know. . .

  BOY

  Please, Dad?

  MAN

  We need to get gas. . .

  SOUND

  COUNTING OUT COINS ON THE COUNTER.

  JOLENE

  Put your money away. It’s the happiest time of the year. What’s your favorite?

  BOY

  Chocolate Caribou!

  JOLENE

  One Chocolate Caribou Bar, coming up. Here you go, young man. Enjoy.

  SOUND

  SHE TAKES A WRAPPED ICE CREAM BAR OUT OF THE COLD CASE AND SETS IT ON THE COUNTER.

  MAN

  Why, thank you very kindly, ma’am.

  JOLENE

  We aim to please. Oh and – it’s Miss.

  MAN

  I mean. . . Miss. What do you say to the lady?

  BOY

  Thanks!

  MAN

  (moving off) Merry Christmas. . .!

  SOUND

  THE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES WITH A JINGLE AS

  SOUND (cont’d)

  THE MAN AND THE BOY LEAVE. WALT WALKS OVER.

  WALT

  (low) You got a customer waiting.

  JOLENE

  Do tell.

  WALT

  Table three, Jolie.

  JOLENE

  Him? He’s no customer of mine.

  WALT

  I thought you two were friends.

  JOLENE

  We used to be.

  WALT

  Do me a favor? Take his order. Business is slow enough.

  SOUND

  JOLENE WALKS OVER TO THE TABLE.

  JOLENE

  (begrudingly) Happy holidays. Stranger.

  VICTOR

  Oh hi, Jolene.

  JOLENE

  (flat) What’ll it be.

  VICTOR

  Just coffee.

  JOLENE

  That all? ’Cause we have a minimum.

  VICTOR

  I only came in so I could talk to you.

  JOLENE

  Something wrong with your telephone?

  VICTOR

  That wasn’t it.

  JOLENE

  Then – what?

  VICTOR

  I – had to think things through.

  JOLENE

  You sure took your time.

  VICTOR

  I’ve had a lot on my mind. . .

  JOLENE

  Let me guess. Waiting for the next book by what’s-his-name.

  VICTOR

  Rex Christian. It’s not that.

  JOLENE

  I do something to offend you?

  VICTOR

  Jolene. . . I know I’m not much of a friend. It’s like I forgot how. So – I made a decision. You deserve better than me.

  JOLENE

  I’l be the judge of that.

  VICTOR

  Somebody who’s there for you. . .

  JOLENE

  (softening) Well, you’re here now. I thought something happened to you. Where have you been eating?

  VICTOR

  At home.

  JOLENE

  Since when do you know how to cook?

  VICTOR

  I’m learning. My mother left all kinds of pots and pans. . .

  JOLENE

  (with some interest) Did she?

  VICTOR

  And her old recipes. I’ll get them right one of these days.

  SOUND

  JOLENE PULLS UP A CHAIR AND SITS.

  JOLENE

  (low, sincere) Victor – when I think of you alone out there in that big house, I worry. I can’t help it.

  VICTOR

  Don’t waste your time.

  JOLENE

  Okay – how’s this. They’ve got a special show at the Alcazar. A horror movie. Your

  JOLENE (cont’d)

  favorite kind.

  VICTOR

  Not any more.

  JOLENE

  Why not?

  VICTOR

  They’re all the same now.

  JOLENE

  This one’s supposed to be good.

  VICTOR

  What’s the name of it?

  JOLENE

  “Christmas, Bloody Christmas”. Have you seen it?

  VICTOR

  I hear it’s pretty violent.

  JOLENE

  So? It’s only fake blood.

  VICTOR

  I know. That’s the trouble. They just don’t get it.

  JOLENE

  So – you want to go?

  VICTOR

  (without enthusiasm) I don’t know. . .

  JOLENE

  This is the uncut version.

  VICTOR

  You wouldn’t like it.

  JOLENE

  I’m a big girl. I think I can take it.

  VICTOR

  It might give you – dreams.

  JOLENE

  Well, I wouldn’t exactly want to see it alone, but – hey, I have an idea. What if I drive you home after work? We could pick up some food on the way. I’m a heck of a cook, you know that? And afterwards, we can come back to town for the show!

  VICTOR

  Sounds like a lot of trouble.

  JOLENE

  I need to eat too, don’t I? You wouldn’t have to wash dishes, I promise.

  VICTOR

  You don’t want to be out that late.

  JOLENE

  I can go all night long. If you can.

  SOUND

  VICTOR STANDS.

  VICTOR

  I’ll call you.

  JOLENE

  (trying hard not to be offended) Okay, be that way. You still have my number?

  VICTOR

  Yeah.

  JOLENE

  Well, don’t forget.

  VICTOR

  I won’t.

  SOUND

  HE CROSSES TO THE DOOR.

  JOLENE

  (calling after him
) Victor?

  VICTOR

  Yes?

  JOLENE

  Do me a favor? Zip your jacket up. It’s cold out there.

  SOUND

  THE DOOR OPENS WITH A JINGLE AS VICTOR LEAVES.

  JOLENE

  (low, flat) Happy Christmas Eve to you, too.

  SOUND

  WALT WALKS OVER TO HER.

  WALT

  You can lead a horse to water, but. . .

  JOLENE

 

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