SOUND
THEY WALK OFF TOGETHER, FOOTSTEPS GROWING FAINT AS THEY STEP THROUGH LEAVES AND TWIGS.
JOLENE
(moving off) I even brought a pretty good wine. If you’d care to join us. For a taste, I mean. One for the road.
REX
(moving off) No, thanks. I have a few more stops to make.
JOLENE
(off) On Christmas Eve?
REX
(off) My work’s never done.
JOLENE
(off) That’s too bad. . .
REX
(off) No, it’s good. It’s been a great year. And it’s almost finished. Watch your step. . . Have you known him long?
JOLENE
(off) Victor? Let me see. . .
REX
(off) Go on. You can tell me. . .
JOLENE
(off) Not much to tell. . .
REX
(off) I want to know everything. . .
SOUND
THEY WALK OFF THRU BUSHES. FOR A FEW SECONDS ONLY AMBIENT NIGHT SOUNDS. THEN:
JOLENE
(off) Wait. What’s that under your coat? What are you –? Wait! Wait!
SOUND
(OFF) THE FAINT METALLIC SCRAPE AND CLANK OF THE SWORD AS IT IS DRAWN FROM ITS SHEATH.
JOLENE
(off) No! No, please. . .! (a single scream, cut short)
SOUND
THEN SILENCE, EXCEPT FOR A HOOTING OWL. . . THE RUSHING OF THE RIVER BELOW. . .AND A FAINT SPLASH IN THE DISTANCE. AFTER THAT ONLY THE TREES RUSTLING IN A SUDDEN BREEZE.
FADE DOWN. . . TO SILENCE.
MUSIC
EPISODE SCORE.
NARRATOR
So now you know the secret – where some writers get their ideas. A word of warning, though. It may be a long time till morning, and there’s no law against talking in the dark. . . but watch what you say. Or your nightmares might end up trapped between. . . the covers of a book!
MUSIC
SERIES THEME.
ANNOUNCER
“Talking in the Dark” was written for Dread Time Stories by Dennis Etchison, based upon his short story.
(additional closing credits)
end.
Talking in the Dark Page 5
