Talking in the Dark

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Talking in the Dark Page 4

by Dennis Etchison


  REX

  You never know. Take yours, for example.

  VICTOR

  You read it – personally?

  REX

  Duh. And guess what? It was the best.

  VICTOR

  (disbelieving) Sure.

  REX

  You think I’m lying? That’s one thing I never do. And neither do you. I could tell. Yours was the real deal. Straight

  REX (cont’d)

  from the heart. That’s why I put it at the top of the list.

  VICTOR

  The – list?

  REX

  For my research. They don’t get any better than that.

  VICTOR

  You didn’t have to come all this way.

  REX

  Of course I did. I had to see for myself.

  VICTOR

  See?

  REX

  What it’s like. Nothing beats the old one-on-one.

  VICTOR

  Afraid I’m pretty boring.

  REX

  Yeah, right. I know how to read between the lines. You laid it out right here in your letter.

  SOUND

  REX TAKES THE LETTER OUT OF HIS COAT POCKET AND UNFOLDS THE PAGES.

  VICTOR

  You carried it with you?

  REX

  Sure did.

  VICTOR

  I figured you’d just toss it.

  REX

  How could I? It’s part of my job.

  VICTOR

  I thought you’d be – a very private person. Being a celebrity and all.

  REX

  Oh, I am. Except when it comes to my fans. They’re the raw material. I like

  REX (cont’d)

  to go to the source of the Nile, if you know what I mean.

  VICTOR

  Even someplace like this?

  REX

  Especially someplace like this.

  VICTOR

  But it’s so far out of the way. . .

  REX

  It’s perfect.

  VICTOR

  (reasoning it out) So. . . you really do care. About the people who read your books.

  REX

  You don’t know the half of it.

  VICTOR

  That’s the reason you have so many fans. ’Cause you care. And because you always tell the truth.

  REX

  I do my best.

  VICTOR

  (enthusiasm growing) The real truth. What it’s like – at least the way it should be.

  REX

  Should?

  VICTOR

  I mean – in your stories, people get what they deserve. No matter what.

  REX

  You better believe it.

  VICTOR

  I do!

  REX

  Good, that’s good.

  VICTOR

  It’s what gives me hope. That there’s

  VICTOR (cont’d)

  gonna be justice, sooner or later. For the ones who have it coming.

  REX

  I couldn’t put it better myself. And what do you deserve, Vic?

  VICTOR

  Me?

  REX

  Who else are we talking about?

  VICTOR

  Hm. That’s a hard question.

  REX

  Why?

  VICTOR

  I don’t have much of a life now. In case you couldn’t tell.

  REX

  Don’t sell yourself short.

  VICTOR

  I didn’t used to be this way. I was a people-person. But that didn’t work out.

  REX

  Gotcha.

  VICTOR

  I’m gonna be more of a project-type person from now on.

  REX

  I think that’s great.

  VICTOR

  You do?

  REX

  Because it just so happens. . . there’s a little project you could help me with. That is, if you’re interested.

  VICTOR

  What is it? A new book?

  REX

  Bingo.

  VICTOR

  Oh, man, would I like to hear about that.

  VICTOR (cont’d)

  If you can talk about it, I mean.

  REX

  Of course I can – with you. In fact, I can’t think of anybody I’d rather work with.

  VICTOR

  What’s the plot?

  REX

  An epidemic. I’m still roughing it out, but I can see where it’s going.

  VICTOR

  What kind of epidemic?

  REX

  That’s where the research comes in.

  VICTOR

  (quickly) I’m good at research. Just tell me what you need. There’s a library in town. I can look things up, make copies –

  REX

  No good.

  VICTOR

  They even have a computer. I could go on the Internet –

  REX

  Too much trouble.

  VICTOR

  I’m a quick learner.

  REX

  I’m sure you are. But that’s the long way around.

  VICTOR

  You wouldn’t have to pay me or anything. It would be an honor.

  REX

  I want to make this as easy as possible for you, Vic.

  VICTOR

  Tell me what to do, and I’ll start tomorrow morning.

  REX

  I’m afraid that’s too late.

  VICTOR

  This is a holiday. Everything closed early. If you want to start right away. . .

  REX

  We’ve already started.

  VICTOR

  We have?

  REX

  You better believe it.

  VICTOR

  Well, then. . . what do you need?

  REX

  Your feelings.

  VICTOR

  My feelings?

  REX

  In your own words.

  VICTOR

  Who’d care about that?

  REX

  You’d be surprised. Here we go. Ready, set –

  VICTOR

  I don’t know how.

  REX

  Come on. You can do it.

  VICTOR

  What do you want me to say?

  REX

  The truth. That’s all.

  VICTOR

  I don’t even know what that is anymore.

  REX

  Sure, you do. I believe in you. And you can take that to the bank. Now go.

  MUSIC

  FADE IN EPISODE SCORE.

  VICTOR

  The truth? The real, honest-to-God truth?

  VICTOR (cont’d)

  Well, the truth. . . the truth is. . .

  REX

  Yes?

  VICTOR

  I’ve been kind of. . . mixed up lately.

  SOUND

  REX LEAFS THRU THE PAGES OF THE LETTER.

  REX

  Nothing to be ashamed of. You wrote about it in your letter. Let me see. Oh, yes. Here’s the page. (reading) “What I know isn’t enough. I thought it would be but it isn’t. Because all the things we learned, the really important things, when it came time to live them, they didn’t work. The system couldn’t help us. And we’re dying. But don’t worry, I’m a fighter. I know one thing that is true: never give up.” (putting the letter aside) Tell me something, Vic. Did you mean that?

  VICTOR

  Yeah, but. . . it’s hard.

  REX

  (compassionate) I know.

  VICTOR

  (emotions building) I try. I do. I get out of bed. But sometimes. . . I can’t. I just can’t.

  REX

  (gently) Because of the past?

  VICTOR

  (softly) Yes.

  Well, that’s your mistake.

  VICTOR

  It is?

  REX

  None of that matters now.

  VICTOR

 
; But I can’t get it out of my head. . .

  REX

  Forget it.

  VICTOR

  I wish I could. . .

  REX

  Listen to me, Vic. Let go.

  VICTOR

  I can’t just –

  REX

  Yes, you can. What’s holding you back?

  VICTOR

  I don’t know, I swear! I told you everything. . .

  SOUND

  REX UNFOLDS THE LETTER AGAIN.

  REX

  (sighing). . . in the letter. Let’s see. Yes. You said there’s something you want to ask me. Something very, very important. So – this is your chance.

  VICTOR

  You’ll think it’s stupid.

  REX

  No, I won’t. I give you my word.

  VICTOR

  Well. . .

  REX

  (calmly) I’m listening.

  VICTOR

  It’s just –

  REX

  Go on.

  VICTOR

  (with difficulty) Well. . . I decided I want to be – a writer.

  REX

  Did you.

  VICTOR

  I know I have a lot to learn before I’m ready. But the trouble is. . .

  REX

  Say it.

  VICTOR

  I – don’t know what to write about.

  REX

  Then why do you want to do it?

  VICTOR

  Because there’s nobody to talk to. Nobody who’d understand.

  REX

  Don’t be so sure about that. What would you tell them, if you could?

  VICTOR

  I don’t know.

  REX

  Tell me, Vic. I’ll put it down exactly the way you say it.

  VICTOR

  I’m afraid.

  REX

  Go ahead. Let it out. Do that and you’ll never be afraid, ever again.

  VICTOR

  I want to. . .

  REX

  Nobody’s listening, are they? We’re completely alone. How pefect is that? Like this house. A great setting. I could tell you were exactly what I need. Your kind always are. The ones who live in out-of-the-way places, the quiet ones, with no ties. That’s the way it has to be. Otherwise I couldn’t use you.

  VICTOR

  For what?

  REX

  I told you. Research.

  VICTOR

  But – why do you care what I feel?

  REX

  It makes my work different. Tell me what’s inside you – right now, this minute, this second. I don’t care what happened before.

  VICTOR

  If I wrote that, I couldn’t sell it to my grandmother – for a nickel.

  REX

  Maybe you couldn’t.

  VICTOR

  But the people you write about – they’re so real. . .

  REX

  I’ll let you in on a little secret. Books aren’t real. They’re make-believe – at least for other writers. But mine are different. That’s what turns my readers on. They’re looking for that extra edge. It gets inside their brains, till they think it’s happening to them. And in a sense it is. Because they’re experiencing it – creating it – right along with me.

  VICTOR

  But. . . where does it come from? How do you figure out what to say? I try, but what I know isn’t –

  REX

  (supressing a laugh) Wait a minute. You want to know where I get my ideas? (beat) Is that your big question?

  VICTOR

  Well, as a matter of fact. . .

  SOUND

  REX STANDS AND WALKS A FEW PACES.

  REX

  Open your eyes. It’s right in front of you.

  VICTOR

  What is?

  REX

  This rifle on the wall, for example. Or the Japanese sword next to it.

  SOUND

  A SLIGHT RATTLING AS REX TOUCHES THW SWORD.

  VICTOR

  I still don’t understand.

  REX

  Don’t you? Everybody – and every thing – has a story, waiting to come out. Sometimes it takes a little coaxing, that’s all. It’s my mission. You and I are two of a kind. We both have the same goal. To find the story that’s inside you.

  VICTOR

  What if there’s nothing there?

  REX

  Oh, there is, I promise. And you have the same right to share it with the world as anybody else. It’s your birthright. What you were put here for.

  VICTOR

  (with emotion) I – I want to believe that. . .

  REX

  You’re perfect, Vic. I can’t get that

  SOUND

  REX DRAWS THE SWORD OUT OF ITS SCABBARD.

  VICTOR

  Wait. What –?

  REX

  You want to know where I get my ideas? Well just where do you think? From this cesspool called life! And I’ll never run out, as long as I go directly to the source – because I’ll never, ever finish paying you all back!

  VICTOR

  No! My God, no! You’re wrong! It’s a lie! You’re –

  REX

  I want to know what you feel right now! Open up to me, Vic – all the way! It won’t hurt! I promise!

  VICTOR

  Get off me! Stop. . .!

  SOUND

  REX STABS VICTOR WITH THE SWORD. LIKE A KNIFE STRIKING A MELON.

  REX

  How does this feel, Vic? I have to know! Tell my readers! What about this? And this. . .?

  VICTOR

  MORE STABS AS THEY STRUGGLE.

  VICTOR

  (screaming) No. . .! No. . .!

  REX

  (all but shrieking) Tell me! I must find the pefect method! Tell me. . .!

  SOUND

  FADE DOWN.

  SOUND

  FADE DOWN.

  AFTER A PAUSE, SLOW FADE IN TO:

  EXT. – NIGHT – OUTSIDE VICTOR’S HOUSE. AS ANOTHER CAR APPROACHES OVER DIRT. THE CAR STOPS AND A BRAKE RATCHETS UP. THE DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES AS JOLENE CLIMBS OUT. WE FOLLOW HER FOOTSTEPS ACROSS THE DIRT TO THE STONE WALKWAY AND THEN TO VICTOR’S DOOR. SHE USES THE METAL DOOR KNOCKER.

  JOLENE

  (calling) Victor? Victor, it’s me!

  (to herself) Where is he. . .?

  SOUND

  (OFF) REX’S FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING OVER DIRT AND LEAVES.

  REX

  Can I help you?

  JOLENE

  Oh! I didn’t see you there.

  REX

  Sorry if I gave you a scare.

  JOLENE

  Is Victor home, do you know?

  REX

  Vic? I don’t think so.

  JOLENE

  Are you a friend of his?

  REX

  Just passing through. I was about ready to move on.

  JOLENE

  Well, have a good evening. And – happy holidays!

  REX

  (lingering) Thought I was lost. Then I saw the light. In the window. He was – very helpful.

  JOLENE

  He’s like that. Always thinking of others. . . Where could he be?

  SOUND

  SHE KNOCKS AGAIN.

  REX

  Is he expecting you?

  JOLENE

  Well, not exactly. I brought Christmas dinner. The whole works.

  REX

  Did you really.

  JOLENE

  He deserves it. All alone in this big old house. Maybe I there’s a door that’s open. . .

  REX

  I wouldn’t bother.

  JOLENE

  Why not?

  REX

  The last I saw of him, he was – down by the river.

  JOLENE

  What was he doing there?

  REX

  He wanted to show me everything. Very hospitable.

  JOLENE

  (warmly) That sounds like Victor.

  REX

&
nbsp; Would you like to join him?

  JOLENE

  Oh, no. I’ll wait. (reconsidering) ’Course the food’s getting cold. . .

  REX

  I can show you the way.

  JOLENE

  Well. . .

  REX

  It’s not far.

  JOLENE

  I hope he’s ready for a surprise.

  REX

  Oh, he is. I’m sure of it.

 

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