by Gary Kittle
The two OFFICERS exchange a glance.
OFFICER #1:
Mrs. Wallis, are you all right?
DON:
Shock, officer, that's all. I think I've got a touch of it, too.
DON laughs nervously, placing himself between the officers and MARY and again the two officers glance at one another.
OFFICER #2:
The cellar, Mr Wallis?
DON:
Oh, sure. This way.
The three men exit. Behind them MARY uses a broom to sweep the mess on the kitchen floor around and around in an endless circle, humming gaily to herself as she goes. She stops and removes her top, exposing her breasts to the empty kitchen.
ANDROID MARY:
Are you boys hungry? Let's eat!
SCENE 28) INT. The cellar. One minute later.
STEVE's groaning form is twisting uncomfortably on the floor, as consciousness - and pain - return.
OFFICER #1:
So what's this guy's name?
DON:
Steve... Steven Ainsworth.
OFFICER #2:
And you've had a disagreement?
DON:
He made advances to my wife.
OFFICER #1 sniffs and turns his attention to STEVE.
OFFICER #1:
Mr Ainsworth? Can you hear me?
STEVE groans in response and slowly comes to. He sees DON smirking down at him and makes a half-hearted lunge to attack him. The officers easily restrain him.
OFFICER #1:
Are you, or are you not, Steven Ainsworth?
STEVE:
Yes. But you don't...
OFFICER #1:
Do you know this man?
STEVE:
Know him? I hate him.
OFFICER #1:
Can you explain how you come to be in this man's home?
STEVE:
I... I had to get in here. To save Mary!
OFFICER #2:
You mean Mrs Wallis - the lady upstairs - this man's wife?
Officer #1's smirk broadens.
DON:
He's obsessed! I want to take out a restraining order right away!
STEVE again makes a lunge at DON. The officers drag him to his feet.
OFFICER #1:
Right, that's enough. I am arresting you on suspicion of...
STEVE:
But you don't understand, officer. Mary's in terrible danger! You must talk to her.
OFFICER #2:
Oh, I think we understand the danger's she's in perfectly.
OFFICER #1 nods in the direction of the lid to MARY's box. OFFICER #2 sees the label on the lid:
‘SECRET LIAISONS, INC. (C)’
and grins back at his colleague. They look at DON.
OFFICER #1:
Your wife, you said?
DON looks away, embarrassed. STEVE looks confused.
OFFICER #1 (TO STEVE):
You do not have to say anything...
They drag a struggling STEVE away as his rights are still being recited. DON follows on, still smarting from the officer's sarcasm.
SCENE 29) INT. Kitchen. Several seconds later.
As the officers drag the struggling STEVE out, MARY (still HALF-NAKED) is peeling carrots, humming loudly to herself. The men ignore her. She finishes the last carrot, pauses briefly, then proceeds to start peeling her left index finger, steadily exposing the robotics beneath.
ANDROID MARY:
If you like this, you'll love my dessert!
SCENE 30) INT. Living room. Thursday. Late afternoon.
DON is slumped in front of the television, composed and relaxed. The telephone rings. In the kitchen MARY is piling fruit into a blender to make a smoothy, her damaged left hand gloved. DON reaches over to pick up the call.
DON:
Hello? (HALF-BEAT) Oh, hi, Dixon. The court can't still be in session, surely?
DON sits up and swaps the handset from one ear to the other.
DON:
Really? (HALF-BEAT) What about my restraining order?
(BEAT)
I should think so, too! (HALF-BEAT) Drop by later. OK? Bye.
DON suddenly holds his mouth, gets up and heads towards the bathroom.
(CUT TO: BATHROOM)
DON reaches the toilet bowl just in time to throw up in it.
DON:
Shit!
He dry-wretches for a while, then looks a little more in control. He gets up and washes his face in cold water. Huffing, he looks up into the bathroom mirror and sees his eyes are large and glowing red like a robot's. He guards his face with his arm but when he looks at himself again his eyes have returned to normal. He laughs hysterically and turns away to the door.
(CUT BACK TO: THE LIVING ROOM)
MARY, having loaded the blender, puts the lid on and flips the switch on, then off again. She leans forward, apparently fascinated by the swirling/settling contents. DON slumps back on the settee again, hands interlaced behind his head. He smiles to himself contentedly.
DON (HALF-LAUGHING):
The cat always gets the cream.
ANDROID MARY (TO HERSELF):
Cream...
She switches the blender on and off, on and off, her face getting ever closer to the utensil.
DON:
How's that smoothy coming along, sweetheart? Need a hand?
MARY's body comes upright suddenly, her eyes wide.
ANDROID MARY (TO HERSELF):
A hand...
She again switches the blender on and off, only this time she stares from the switch to her hand and back again.
ANDROID MARY (FROWNING):
You know, a hand might make all the difference.
DON:
All right. Let me...
But before DON can move, MARY flips the lid off the blender and stuffs her left (gloved) hand inside. With her free hand she switches the blender on. There is a horrendous whining, tearing sound as the reddened fruit smoothy squirts up the walls, etc. DON is across the kitchen in an instant but before he reaches MARY there is a flash and a bang that sends her flying across the room. The television and lights die. DON stares in horror as MARY picks herself up off the floor and examines the smoking stump of her left wrist. She looks over at DON and smiles broadly, mimicking the act of masturbation with her good hand.
ANDROID MARY:
Don't worry, I can still use this one!
SCENE 31) INT. Hallway. A minute or so later.
DON opens the cover to the fuse box.
DON (TO HIMSELF):
This is too much.
DON flips a switch and closes the lid over the fuse box.
DON:
Mary?
(CUT TO: LIVING ROOM)
DON slumps down in front of the television and puts in on.
NEWSCASTER'S VOICE OVER:
'...because in the eyes of the law the alleged victim's manner of dress was deemed provocative to the alleged attacker. Women's rights groups labelled the verdict...'
DON switches the television off again and stares into the blank screen, where he sees two red lights where his eyes should be in the dulled reflection. He leans forward, wiping his mouth with a shaking hand.
DON:
What the...
DON looks over his shoulder to see if there are any lights shining on the screen from behind him. When he looks back at the screen, however, the red lights have gone and there is only his dulled silhouette. He gets up abruptly, rubbing his hands together nervously.
DON (WHISPERED):
Mary? Where the...
(CUT TO: THE LOBBY)
The door bell chimes. DON heads off towards the lobby, scowling. As he does, his house phone starts ringing too.
DON (TO HIMSELF):
Hold your horses, Dixon...
DON opens the door, and his mouth drops open at what he sees. In the background the
phone stops ringing. DON's arms drop to his sides. He tries to speak but can't.
REAL MARY:
Hello, Don. It’s been a long time.
SCENE 32) INT. Living room. A few minutes later.
REAL MARY is smartly dressed and appears confident/self-assured as she sits down in an armchair opposite the settee. DON remains standing, nervously looking over his shoulder.
DON:
Why now, Mary?
REAL MARY:
I was invited.
DON:
I don't... (FROWNING) understand.
Somewhere in the house a door creeks open and slams back shut. DON looks nervously up at the ceiling. The phone rings again and DON ignores it, irritated. More creaking comes from above. DON again looks up. The phone continues to ring.
REAL MARY:
Please, don't mind me.
DON hovers by the coffee table uncertainly, then finally picks up the receiver. The ceiling directly above creeks.
DON (FROWNING UP AT THE CEILING):
Dixon... What? (HALF-BEAT) You think he might... Oh... Right.
DON glances at REAL MARY but can't maintain eye contact.
DON:
No. OK. Thanks for letting me know.
DON replaces the receiver, looking bemused/agitated.
DON:
Invited?
(BEAT)
I told you to stay away. Remember?
REAL MARY:
You don't look well, Don.
DON slumps down on to the sofa, face strained.
REAL MARY:
I spoke to.... someone at work. They said you've been off sick.
DON:
I've been stressed, that's all.
REAL MARY spies the empty bottles by the kitchen bin (C.U.). DON leans forward tensely.
REAL MARY:
I still don't understand why you drove me away. I wanted to help.
DON (HALF-LAUGHING):
Yer, well you didn't exactly put up a fight, Mary.
REAL MARY:
I thought fighting was the issue.
DON:
I needed to protect you.
DON slumps back into the settee, rubbing his forehead. He sighs whilst staring at REAL MARY, who doesn't take her eyes off him.
DON:
You look...so natural. Sometimes perfection can be a curse.
REAL MARY breaks eye contact, looking uncomfortable.
REAL MARY:
I know what you were afraid of. But you never laid a finger on me... And I can't believe you ever would.
DON:
You'd be surprised what I can do.
REAL MARY:
You've lost a lot of weight. How has this made anything better?
DON:
It's kept you safe from harm.
(BEAT)
Are you... seeing him?
REAL MARY:
No... I... Steve wanted me... There's no point in denying that. He was very persistent, too. But it wasn't what I wanted. Deep down I still thought I could...
DON (CONTEMPTUOUSLY):
When I gave you the chance to escape you grabbed it quickly enough.
REAL MARY:
So I could never win, then?
DON:
I bet I know where you'll sleep tonight!
REAL MARY:
Don, please stop! I'm not with anyone, OK? (HALF-BEAT) There are people that can help you. Professionals.
DON:
It's too late. You'll never forgive me for what I've done. That's what Ainsworth wants you to see tonight.
REAL MARY:
You'd be surprised what I can forgive. (HALF-BEAT) Talk to me.
DON stares down at the floor, and exhales deeply. He stares up belligerently at REAL MARY for a second then softens and buries his face in his hands.
DON:
All right, all right...
(BEAT)
DON (AWKWARDLY):
Before I asked you to leave... I kept having these... dreams. Fantasies, I guess you'd call them. They weren't healthy, Mary.
REAL MARY swallows hard.
DON:
There were things I wanted to do to you... Bad things.
A floorboard creaks. Unsteady footsteps lurch down the stairs.
REAL MARY:
That's why you need professional help. If only you'd let me... It's not too late.
The footsteps lurch along the lower hallway. REAL MARY looks nervously over her shoulder. The footsteps get closer.
DON:
I've tried professional help, Mary - I swear - just not the sort you had in mind.
The footsteps cease, just out of sight.
DON (TEARFULLY):
I thought if I lived out my fantasies alone, they'd go away. That's why I drove you out first.
REAL MARY:
But it just made things worse?
DON (EYES SHUT):
Yes...
DON stands abruptly, staring down at MARY.
DON:
Listen. Close your eyes. I'll lead you outside and you'll never have to see what...
REAL MARY:
You don't have to hide anything...
DON:
But I do!
REAL MARY:
Whatever you've done, we can sort it out, Don. I promise you. You have to trust me.
DON looks defiantly down at his estranged wife, but again he softens and lets his shoulders sag in a gesture of defeat.
DON:
I want to trust you. But I'm...
REAL MARY:
Afraid?
DON looks sternly at REAL MARY, his lips set proudly.
DON:
Well, don't say I didn't warn you!
(SHOUTING)
Mary? Mary, come out here. There's someone I want you to meet.
REAL MARY:
Mary?
DON:
I've invited a guest, too.
REAL MARY:
Don...
From the hallway comes the sound of the doorbell ringing, then pounding reverberates through the house.
DON (CONTEMPTUOUSLY):
Well, we both know who that is, don't we?
REAL MARY's face looks blank, then she hears a movement behind her. She takes a deep breath and composes herself as she turns to face ANDROID MARY.
REAL MARY:
Hello, Mary....
DON's mouth drops open in surprise. ANDROID MARY lurches in. Both Marys look at each other and smile. DON is perplexed.
The pounding sounds again. DON looks up angrily, turning to ANDROID MARY. He casts another suspicious/incredulous look at REAL MARY, who stares back unflinchingly. ANDROID MARY obediently heads for the door, and DON follows.
DON (TO ANDROID MARY):
Mary? Mary! Scream like the girl in the film. Remember?
ANDROID MARY duly issues a loud, pain-filled scream.
SCENE 33) EXT. Outside the Wallace front door. Seconds later.
STEVE hears the scream and redoubles his door pounding.
STEVE (SHOUTING):
Mary? Mary! Are you in there?
STEVE attempts to shoulder-charge the door. The catch suddenly clicks and STEVE stumbles inside. Standing before him is DON.
DON:
So what exactly do you plan to do next, lover boy?
STEVE:
I'm going to show her exactly what kind of 'man' you are! Where is she, Wallis?
DON grins. The front door slowly/silently closes on STEVE.
DON:
You want Mary?
(WHISPERED)
She's right here, Ainsworth. And do you know what?
ANDROID MARY clouts STEVE over the head (from behind the door) with her damaged arm stump, sending him sprawling to the floor.
DON (SNEERING):
She's even better than the real thing!
SCENE 34) INT. The Wallace house
, in the cellar. One hour later.
STEVE and REAL MARY have their hands tied behind their backs. REAL MARY looks up to find herself staring into a misshapen version of her own face, smeared with lipstick and blusher, one cheek dented, head askew.
DON:
Trust me, you said.
DON looks on, holding a revolver.
DON (SCOFFING):
Let me properly introduce you. First Mary, meet Second Mary.
REAL MARY merely stares into DON's eyes, disconcerting him. He looks away. STEVE starts to regain consciousness too.
DON (TO STEVE):
My lawyer thought he had you boxed up tight.
STEVE struggles with his restraints, staring first at REAL MARY, then ANDROID MARY, and back again.
STEVE:
What... My God! You've copied her!
DON:
You can drop the act, Ainsworth. I know it was you that set this up.
REAL MARY:
What are you going to do?
DON:
If I can't have you...
ANDROID MARY (BRIGHTLY):
I think we should eat!
REAL MARY:
Don, please! It's still not too late...
DON:
To answer your question, the New Mary here has had a few - how shall I put it - technical problems...
ANDROID MARY:
My warranty...
DON (TO STEVE):
...caused after you, Ainsworth, badly damaged her in the process of breaking into my home yet again.
REAL MARY:
Don, please! You don't have to do this.
DON (TO REAL MARY):
I warned you to stay away. I really thought the new Mary would cure me - and do you know in a way she has.
STEVE (ANXIOUSLY):
She won't comply. There must be safeguards! Androids can't...
DON:
This will make me a fortune after the court case.
(TO HIMSELF)
Perhaps they'll even send me a replacement girl free of charge...
(BEAT)
DON:
There is one question I want answered, though...
STEVE and REAL MARY remain silent, still transfixed by ANDROID MARY.
(CUT TO: C.U. of STEVE battling against his restraints.)
(CUT BACK TO: THE CELLAR)
DON (TO STEVE):
Did you really hope to sweep my wife away behind my back?
STEVE:
You conceited prick. I didn't even know she'd be here.
DON looks flustered/confused. He frowns, then shakes his head disdainfully and laughs.
REAL MARY:
It's true. I'm as surprised to see him as you are. You've got this all wrong, Don!
DON stops laughing.
