Two Worlds

I wrote "Two Worlds" as a whole for one of my film classes. I butchered it to tiny pieces and re-created my female lead for this. Also in class all of the scripts had a five page limit. So here's my second take on "Two Worlds".

(Check out 'Loglines' to see the origins of this take of the story)

(OVER BLACK)

PROFESSOR NEAL (V.O.)

There are two worlds. The world you know and the world you think you know.

TIRES SCREECH and there’s a CRASH. SIRENS grow louder. Light begins to appear as there are glimpses of doctors around a gurney. Time moves forward through the hazy jumble of sirens and emergency personnel. Then silence.


FADE IN
INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAYTIME.

The hospital room is a sterile, generic one. The TV is on in the corner with what sounds like a sermon. VANESSA (between 20 and 30)sleeps in the bed which is attached to a heart monitor that BEEPS periodically.

Vanessa groggily opens her eyes not entirely aware of her surroundings. Her eyes land on the TV where PROFESSOR THOMAS NEAL (around 50) is speaking. He’s holding up a book he’s written called Two Worlds.


PROFESSOR NEAL
You’re all familiar, I’m sure with the concept of angels and demons. How these forces of good and evil are at war over your very soul.

APPLAUSE bursts through the crowd.

PROFESSOR NEAL (CONT’D)
That’s only half true. They are at war and it IS for your soul, but not one side is looking after your well being. They are simply; hungry. There are Two Worlds...

The TV shuts off. NURSE KELLY (30 or 40) stands over Vanessa.

NURSE KELLY
You don’t need to listen to that garbage. You just woke up from a well deserved nap.
Nurse Kelly picks up a clipboard and examines Vanessa.


EXT. PARK - DUSK - 3 WEEKS LATER.

Vanessa hobbles a bit as she walks. Every shadow seems to stretch out at her from the corner of her eyes. She thinks back to Professor Neal’s broadcast.

PROFESSOR NEAL (V.O.)
Angles... demons... two worlds.

As the wind picks up, she notices there aren’t many people in the park at all except for one ELDERLY WOMAN. The woman sits on a bench next a dimly illuminated lamp post crocheting what look like small wings.

Vanessa’s pace quickens as her heart beats faster. The woman looks up from her project, her eyes seem red in the fading sunlight. She MUMBLES something, her scratchy voice scrapes Vanessa’s ears. Vanessa blinks back tears as she makes her way past the woman.

The woman jumps from her bench and yells at Vanessa. Her voice has a deep, other-worldly quality to it.

WOMAN
Girly! Aren’t you going to even acknowledge your betters?

Vanessa can’t fight the tears the pour down her cheeks. The world seems pitch black now, save the light that illuminates the woman, and her red eyes.

WOMAN (CONT’D)
Your rude ignorance has sealed you fate girl! Dinner will be served shortly!

The woman cackles loudly. Vanessa falls to her knees, eyes clenched, hands over her ears. A hand falls on her shoulder and she SCREAMS. Her eyes open and she sees that she’s surrounded by many people in the park.

The bench is empty.


INT. VANESSA’S LIVING ROOM - THE NEXT DAY

Vanessa’s hair is frazzled, she hasn’t slept. Her makeup is smeared and she’s frantic. She’s on the phone with SUE (20’s).

VANESSA
I know I sound crazy I know it. I think something happened to me during the accident.

SUE (V.O.)
What? Like you can see demons now?

VANESSA
It would be great if I could just see them, but they talk to me.

SUE (V.O.)
They talk to you? Honey, are you sure you’re okay?

VANESSA
I am absolutely not okay Sue! Not at all. When I woke up there was a man on TV talking about angels and demons and soul eating. He said there was something about another world existing with ours...

SUE (V.O.)
Are you talking about that Neal guy? Sweetie he’s a loon! I understand you’re freaked out and I believe you when you say you saw something but I can assure you that no one is going to try to eat your soul. Especially not a demon and definitely not an angel.
Vanessa sits on her couch. She takes a couple breaths and calms herself down.

VANESSA
You’re right. I’m overreacting a bit. Would you do me a favor though? Would you come to the park with me? Just to get some sense of closure?

SUE (V.O.)
Absolutely babe. Get yourself cleaned up and I’ll come get you in an hour.

Vanessa hangs up and takes a deep breath. She allows herself a smile as she glances down at her coffee table.

Her eyes grow in horror as she leans forward and picks up a crocheted pair of wings that were remarkably close to the ones the old woman was knitting the night before.


EXT. PARK - LATER THAT SAME DAY

Vanessa and Sue are walking the same route Vanessa took. They stop at the bench. The sun shines brightly in the sky but clouds seem to begin to roll in out of nowhere. No one else is in the park.

SUE
The scariest thing about this bench is that it needs a new coat of paint.

Vanessa walks around the bench, examining it.

VANESSA
It just seemed too vivid to be in my imagination.

Vanessa curiously touches the lamp post and it lights up. This prompts a startled scream from Vanessa.

SUE
Okay Vee, let’s get you home.

A HOODED FIGURE dressed in grey appears behind Sue and pushes her down. Vanessa looks on horrified. As the hooded figure crouches over Sue’s body making DISTURBING NOISES. Vanessa cranks her head away and buries her face in her hands, sobbing.

Sue’s body twitches on final time as the hooded figure rises and turns towards Vanessa. It’s face is shaded from view by the hood, all that’s visible is two glowing red eyes.

Vanessa attempts a scream but nothing happens. They sky becomes dark as clouds roll in. Lightning cracks through the sky with every step the hooded figure takes.

VANESSA (EXHAUSTED)
Okay, if this is some kind of joke it’s really not funny.

The hooded figure does not quicken his pace but casually moves forward.

VANESSA (CONT’D)
Okay... ha ha. I get it. Real funny guys. Okay Sue I’m sorry I made such a big deal out of everything.

The figure hisses and lunges at Vanessa. She screams.


INT. VANESSA’S BEDROOM - MORNING

Vanessa’s phone is ringing. She gasps sitting bolt upright and scrambles for her phone.

VANESSA
Hello?

SUE (V.O.)
Hey lady! Just checking up on you. Wanted to make sure everything was alright.

VANESSA
Yeah... everything is alright. Just had another nightmare. Nothing to worry about, I’m sure they’ll pass.

SUE (V.O.)
It’s been a couple weeks now. Maybe you should let the doctors know.

VANESSA
Yeah I have an appointment tomorrow. I’m sure it’s nothing.

SUE (V.O.)
Go for a walk in the park or something... oh shoot. Honey I have to go. Call me later.

Vanessa hangs up the phone and stars at the ceiling. She rolls on her side and is face to face with the old woman.

WOMAN
Good morning sunshine!

The woman lunges at Vanessa.

Fade Out.

PROFESSOR NEAL (V.O.)
There are two worlds. The world you know and the world you think you know.

End.