David Speranza

The Mourning After

by David Speranza

FADE IN:

INT. TED'S BEDROOM - MORNING

CLOSE ON PAULA, mid-twenties, pretty, currently with smeared mascara and a rat's nest for hair.  Dead to the world.  

Her eyes snap open.  Without moving, she blearily scans the room.  Something about it confuses her.  Then a memory hits.  An unpleasant one.  

Very carefully, as if dreading what she'll find, she looks back over her shoulder.  At that exact moment, a man's arm reaches over to flop across her chest.  Paula stares at the appendage in alarm.

INT. HALLWAY - MOMENTS LATER

The door to Ted's bedroom opens and Paula, in T-shirt and underwear, steps quietly out.  Gently closing the door, she glances around the apartment in mild shock.  Taking a breath, she moves across the hall to another closed room and opens the door.

INT. PAULA'S BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS

Paula's breath comes easier as she takes in this more familiar space.  She closes the door and looks gratefully at her bed, still made from the day before.

She steps away from the door, revealing a memo pad with a list of items written on it:  

"1. Tissues, 2. moisturizer, 3. Gummi bears, 4. deodorant"

A tentative knock jostles the pad, causing the pen to drop to the floor.  

Paula, now seated on the bed, jumps at the sound.

Paula opens her mouth to speak, but manages only a dry croak.  She clears her throat, makes another attempt.

She makes a face at her own response.

As we hear Ted move off, Paula flops down onto the bed and stares helplessly at the ceiling.

- full script available upon request