Breakdown

Scene 1

EXT. HOUSE - MORNING

It is a quiet morning in a clean, middle-class neighborhood.

The sound of a CELL PHONE RINGING can be heard.

INT. TOM’S BEDROOM

Tom’s bedroom is cluttered.  TOM, twenty-eight years old, sleeps in a tangled mess of sheets and blankets as daylight peeks through his drawn blinds.

The cell phone on the nightstand continues to RING.

Tom stirs.  He picks up the phone and looks at the display.

INSERT - CELL PHONE

The display reads “Denise Calling.”

BACK TO SCENE

Tom answers.

TOM

(into phone)

Hey, babe.  Why you calling so early?

He is surprised to hear a voice other than his girlfriends.  The voice is gravely and vaguely menacing.

MYSTERIOUS VOICE (V.O.)

At the intersection of the oranges.

TOM

(into phone)

Huh?

MYSTERIOUS VOICE (V.O.)

Two will reveal themselves as onions.  First friends, then enemies.

TOM

(into phone)

Denise?

MYSTERIOUS VOICE (V.O.)

And friends again if you know what’s good.  You’re something of a fart smeller, are you not?

TOM

(into phone)

Look.  This isn’t funny.  I don’t appreciate--

MYSTERIOUS VOICE (V.O.)

Twelve grobliks will get you in, but three will get you off.

Tom hangs up the phone and lies back in bed.  He sighs and waits for it to ring again.  After a moment he dials the phone.

TOM

(into phone)

Okay, jokes over.  What was that all about?

He listens.

TOM (CONT’D)

(into phone)

Denise?  Did I wake you?

He listens.

TOM (CONT’D)

(into phone)

Are you alone?

He listens.

TOM (CONT’D)

(into phone)

No.  It’s the weirdest thing.  I got a call from you.  At least I think it was from you.  Listen, go back to sleep.  I’ll tell you about it later.

He hangs up and shakes his head.

DRIVEWAY

Tom is working on repairing his beat up 1973 Gran Torino.  The hood is up and he is bent over the engine.

Tom’s friend, DAVE, is there.  He is the same age as Tom.  He drinks a beer while he watches.

DAVE

I don’t think I would drive that thing to the Crystal Flash and back, let alone California.

TOM

Denise has never been to California.  It’s our anniversary and I’m going to get her there.

DAVE

Four months is an anniversary?  Why don’t you take her Xtera?

TOM

What’s the fun in that?  Besides, I want to show her that I’m a handy guy.  She doesn’t need to get a new car every two years with me around.

DAVE

I think the reason she gets one every two years is she can afford it.  Unlike you.

(beat)

I don’t want to be getting a call in the middle of the night saying you need me to drive out to New Hampshire and pick you up.

Tom stops tinkering.

TOM

Just shut up for a minute and start the engine, will you.

Dave hands Tom his beer.

DAVE

Hold this.

Tom takes a swig.  Dave gets behind the wheel and turns the key.  The engine roars to life.

TOM

Ha!  What did I tell ya?

Dave gets out and takes his beer.

TOM (CONT’D)

Not too shabby, eh?

DAVE

In case you’re wondering, my phone’s going to be off for the next week.