- Joined
- Jun 5, 2024
- Messages
- 33
- Reaction score
- 64
- Pronouns
- She/Her
- MATURE Themes
- No MATURE Themes Apply
- TEEN Themes
- No TEEN Themes Apply
- EVERYONE Themes
- Mild Violence
- Mild Mature Themes
- Other Content Warnings
- Death of a character
This is the first episode of a screenplay I wrote in 2023. While the episode itself is complete, I didn't continue this story so it didn't feel right to mark it as ongoing. It also teeters between a TEEN and EVERYONE rating only because of the subject matter, which involves the death of a character as part of the ghost story genre.
I'd like to share the first episodes of at least two other screenplays I've written (which both are part of "series" that I've fully written), but this one is the most coherent of them.
It definitely has its flaws (especially the first few scenes), but I look back on it fondly compared to my other stuff. Please expect cheesiness and formatting issues (no part of my format transferred over from Google Docs so I had to individually center every line of dialogue. I am highly confident there is a mistake in there somewhere waaaaaa).
Thanks for checking this out!
Episode 1: "sorry jake"
INT. BIRDIE'S DINER - DAY. 1953.
Inside of a walk-in freezer, we see a teenage girl in a red dress with white dots, EDIE (17). There is a smile on her face as she reaches for a massive tub of vanilla ice cream. She takes it into her hands, then exits, closing the door behind her. Next to various stickers, there is a note on the door that reads, “DO NOT SLAM.”
As Edie carries the ice cream, she dodges other people running through the kitchen. She drops the tub onto a countertop, rips open the lid, then grabs a blender dish. Before she can question where the scooper is, a girl in a blue spotted dress drops it into her hands. This is GLORIA (19). She wears an engagement ring.
Gloria touches the ribbon at the back of her hair.
EDIE
A fine ship captain.
GLORIA
Edie, does it look bad?
Edie glances over to the ribbon.
A bell rings. With one hand self-consciously touching her hair, Gloria grabs a plate from the chef and exits.
Edie pours chocolate sauce into the blender, then adds a scoop of malt. She turns it on. After blending for a few seconds, she pours the beverage into two cups. She opens the fridge to grab a dish of whipped cream marked "7/31," then puts a dollop of it in each cup.
Grabbing a nearby chocolate bar, Edie shucks it from its wrapper, then grabs a knife to finely chop it. She sprinkles the chocolate dust on each milkshake, then heads into a pantry.
With a pair of scissors, Edie slices through a cardboard box. Inside it are straws. Edie grabs two, to gently place in the milkshakes, then takes out a few more.
Chopping and twisting the straws against each other, Edie makes two small flowers out of them. She attaches them to the straws in the shakes.
Gloria enters the kitchen, taking off her blue ribbon.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Edie brings the two milkshakes to two young girls, sitting with their mother.
The kids clamor over each other, reaching out for them.
Again, they shout over each other. Edie chuckles and gives the milkshakes to them.
INT. CHEF'S OFFICE - DAY
Edie walks over to Gloria, who is struggling to use the reflection of a cookie sheet to fix her hair.
Edie takes the ribbon and begins helping Gloria.
Edie chuckles.
Gloria pauses.
Edie blinks.
Edie drops the ribbon. She turns around and leaves. Gloria lets her go.
INT. WALK-IN FREEZER - DAY
Edie storms into the freezer, letting the door slam behind her. She sinks down to the ground and rests her face in her arms. Goosebumps appear on her skin, but she doesn’t care. She stays there and sobs.
After a little while, Edie rubs her arms. She picks up her head and looks around at the freezer. Tubs of ice cream catch her eye. Staring at it seems to only make her sadder.
Edie gets up onto her feet, her heels sliding against the floor. She presses against the door.
The door doesn’t budge. She tries it again, but it seems to be jammed.
Edie pushes again and again, throwing herself against it.
Edie bangs on the door with her fist.
Edie, desperate, keeps banging on the door.
No one is there. Edie struggles to keep trying, the cold weighing on her.
Her heels slide on the ground, and she slips down, hitting her head on a shelf. She tries to get back up, but is too weak.
Edie stays on the ground. Her eyes begin to shut.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT. 2023.
We see a young woman as she squats in front of a shelf of toys, a clipboard and pen in her hands. She has dyed white hair that is long enough to rest on her shoulders. Her name tag tells us that her name is TARA JANE (19).
Tara Jane is delicately moving aside boxes of Tamagotchi toys and eyeing them. She then moves onto Furbies and does the same. When she moves onto the next set of toys, she hears a whirring sound. It comes from the Furby shelf.
Tara Jane looks closely at the shelf. She is about to continue working, when the sound can be heard again. She spots one of the Furbies, a speckled purple one, shaking slightly. It whispers a word of gibberish.
Tara Jane watches it. It doesn't do anything else. She looks back down to the next shelf of toys and continues taking inventory.
One aisle over, another young woman (ALEXA, 20) is looking at stuffed animals, while a young man (CALVIN, 23) stands behind her.
Alexa shakes her head with a smile.
Calvin rubs the back of his neck.
Tara Jane watches the two as she takes inventory. She looks at the bracelets on Alexa's arms, counting them. She writes down the number at the bottom of the page on her clipboard.
The purple Furby squeals. Calvin jumps.
Alexa chuckles, but it sounds forced.
She pauses.
Picking up her pen, Tara Jane continues taking inventory. Alexa leads Calvin to the sliding doors, heading back towards the mall.
The doors do not part. Alexa stops herself before she walks into the glass. She tries to wave her hand in front of them, but they still won’t open.
She turns around to Tara Jane.
Tara Jane looks up. The doors slide open just as she does so. Alexa heads into the mall, Calvin lagging behind her.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Alexa turns her head over her shoulder to look at Calvin as they continue walking. As they pass a large, aged clock, Calvin stares up at it.
Alexa is about to continue walking when she gets cut off by a teenage boy riding a skateboard through the mall.
Alexa steps back, frowning at him.
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
We see a teenage boy with messy blond hair that nearly reaches his shoulders. As he hunches over a counter, his hair nearly covers up his name tag that reads "ZEKE."
He has a smile on his face as he pours foamed milk into a mug. With the foamed milk, he makes a lightning bolt shape. He uses a skewer to add accents to it, giving it a comic-book look.
He sets it onto the counter and a hand quickly wraps around it. Zeke looks up to see the skater boy (DYLAN, 18), taking it.
Dylan immediately turns away. Zeke cackles until he turns back around.
Zeke points to a flier displayed on the counter. It reads, “Join us for Golden Hour Plaza’s 75th anniversary! Shops are open with later hours, leading up to the anniversary this Saturday.”
Dylan frowns, but turns this action into a wide stretch.
Dylan checks his digital watch.
Dylan takes out his phone.
Dylan takes his skateboard in one hand, his latte in the other, and heads out.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
The mall is quiet as most shops are either closed or closing. Vendors are flipping their "open" signs to "closed." He heads towards the exit, but stops when he sees a teenage girl in a 50s style restaurant, labeled by the sign above it as "Birdie's Diner." He sees her slip to the ground.
Dylan rushes over to the door.
She stays on the ground, not moving. Dylan looks around himself, but there's no one there to help. He drops the skateboard and grabs for the door.
The girl jumps to her feet. She locks the door.
Dylan watches in surprise as the girl turns away and disappears into the depths of the diner. He goes to pick up his skateboard, but it’s no longer there. His eyes flicker around the tile floor, searching for the skateboard. There’s nothing nearby.
Dylan backtracks, away from the exit and deeper into the mall. He looks on a nearby bench to see if he set it down there, but it’s empty.
He turns back to the girl in the restaurant, but she hasn't returned to the door. Looking back to the closing storefronts, there really isn’t anyone around.
Dylan pauses. He touches a hand to the bridge of his nose, as if to push up a pair of glasses that aren’t there. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, reading his unsent "so sorry to do this now but we're gonna be about 30 minutes late. i'll keep you posted" message. He continues toward the mall exit.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane is counting up the money in the cash register. There's not much, as most of it is probably digital. The Furby is on the counter beside her, softly clicking and whirring.
Tara Jane looks up from the cash and at the Furby. She pauses for a few seconds. Tara Jane reaches into her pocket and pulls out her wallet. She removes some cash from it and places it into the register.
She wraps an arm around the Furby in its box, holding it closer to her. She pulls out a drawer beneath the counter. Inside is one half of a large scissor.
She wraps her fingers around the plastic handle and takes the blade toward the box of the Furby.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Walking past a turned-off carousel, Alexa leads Calvin towards a closed-looking store.
CALVIN
Let’s go somewhere else. I think the mall’s closed up.
ALEXA
There’s a light on.
CALVIN
It’s not open.
ALEXA
No, look.
Calvin approaches the window. There’s a little red light coming out of a digital clock. 06:14 flashes on its screen.
INT. MALL EXIT - NIGHT
Dylan looks around himself as he makes his way to the exit. He looks over to the door ahead of him.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane drives the blade into the cardboard box.
INT. OUTSIDE RETRO STORE - NIGHT
The clock turns to 06:15 and begins to sound its alarm.
Calvin tenses. He looks over to Alexa.
Alexa moves closer.
The room begins to glow in harsh, red light. Clocks all over the store alight with 06:15s. Their alarms all sound at once.
Calvin jumps backwards. Alexa is startled too.
Alexa forces a laugh.
She looks over to Calvin, who is still frozen.
ALEXA
It’s funny, Calvin. It’s just funny.
She forces another laugh. He lets out an equally forced dry chuckle.
INT. MALL EXIT - NIGHT
Dylan walks to the exit, but the door doesn’t open. He reaches his hand out against the glass, trying to catch the sensors. When nothing happens, he looks down to the mat next to the door and stomps onto it.
The door stays closed. Dylan looks around himself, but the area is still empty.
He looks at the text conversation with Jake on his phone, but there's still no reception. Dylan takes off deeper into the mall.
INT. MALL HALLWAY - NIGHT
Dylan runs back down the hall, towards the cafe.
Zeke can be seen finishing closing up, hanging up his apron.
Dylan rushes up to him.
Dylan pauses.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane sits in a bean bag chair with the Furby beside her. She’s reading the instruction manual. Tara Jane sets the manual down and turns to the Furby.
The Furby does not respond.
The Furby does not respond. Tara Jane picks up the instruction manual again.
A figure can be seen walking past the store window in a red, spotted dress. Tara Jane looks up from the manual. She sees that the light outside is slightly dimmed and checks the time on her phone.
Tara Jane gets to her feet, taking her Furby with her.
Tara Jane grabs her bag and locks the doors, slipping the key into her pocket. She enters the mall.
INT. MALL HALLWAY - NIGHT
Alexa and Calvin are making their way towards one of the exits.
Calvin looks down.
Alexa is cut off by Dylan rushing towards the door as Zeke follows behind him. Dylan has his phone in his hands.
They go to the door, but it doesn't open.
Zeke waves his hand in front of the sensors. The doors stay closed. He pauses in surprise.
Dylan scratches the back of his head.
Calvin looks at Alexa, suddenly concerned.
Calvin cautiously follows Alexa away.
INT. EAST MALL - NIGHT
Tara Jane walks towards the exit with her Furby in hand. It begins to click, surprising her. She smiles and turns back towards the door, but pauses when she sees a figure already there, pushing on the doors.
It’s the girl in the red spotted dress, the same one from the diner. We see her painted nails as she presses her hands against the door.
The Furby speaks suddenly, causing the girl to jump. She turns around.
The girl searches around with her eyes before connecting them with the Furby. She bursts into laughter.
She keeps on laughing a bit too hard at that. Tara Jane sees the doors behind her. She waves a hand in front of them, but they don’t open.
The girl struggles to catch her breath to answer the question.
She trails off, then attempts to shake off her nervousness.
The girl swings around a set of keys.
Alexa and Calvin come rushing into the area. They hurry to the doors, but they won’t open.
Calvin shakes his head.
Zeke and Dylan walk into the area, slowing down when they see the others crowded by the door.
Alexa blinks. This was not the reference she was expecting.
ALEXA
Yeah… Zeke, you work at the mall, right?
Tara Jane and the girl give each other a look.
They follow Tara Jane as she begins walking towards the bathrooms. The girl in the red spotted dress lags behind, watching them continue with widened eyes.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
The group steps into the hallway. The girl hurries her pace to get closer to Tara Jane.
The Furby interrupts Tara Jane before she can answer. When the group sees the door, they rush to it. The girl, however, stays back. She holds her arms against each other and has a nervous look on her face.
Dylan reaches for the door handle. The girl’s gaze suddenly hardens on it. When Dylan touches the handle, he hisses and pulls his hand back.
Zeke grabs for the handle, but also yanks his hand back after touching it.
Alexa wraps her arm in her sleeve and grabs for the handle. It won’t budge.
Alexa turns to Zeke.
No one has any ideas.
Alexa pulls up her phone, but she has no service.
Tara Jane turns to the girl and raises the Furby. She brings down her voice.
The girl turns to Tara Jane.
TARA JANE
When I was a kid, my mom used to say that our cat could eat monsters.
The girl doesn’t respond.
She stays quiet.
His message is still unsent.
ZEKE
The door’s unlocked. I’ve seen it like this, I know it opens.
Zeke wraps his apron around his hand and grabs for the handle. He leans his weight on the door, but it still won’t budge.
The group starts heading away from the door, and the girl lets out a breath. As they exit, a security camera begins to move, and Alexa catches it.
They look up to the camera in surprise. Alexa begins waving to it.
Tara Jane doesn’t hear.
Zeke leads them out of the hall.
INT. OUTSIDE SECURITY OFFICE - NIGHT
Alexa tries to turn the handle, but it’s locked.
ALEXA
It needs a key… Unless anyone here knows how to pick locks.
Dylan and Zeke both raise their hands, to the rest of the group’s surprise.
Dylan holds up his hand, preparing rock-paper-scissors.
He takes out a couple paper clips.
Dylan begins to pick the lock. Some time passes, and he still doesn’t have it open.
They turn to her.
After some squabbling with Dylan, Zeke takes over the lock-picking, opening the door.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - NIGHT
The fluorescent light from the mall filters into the small room. Monitors line one of the walls, showing different angles of the mall.
Dylan guffaws, rubbing his hands together and taking a seat in a rotating chair that has only three wheels.
The girl in the red dress is equally impressed, staring over each of the screens. She moves to the far end of the wall and places her hand against one of the screens. Icy crystals begin to form at the tips of her fingers, and she quickly draws her hand back.
Tara Jane lowers her Furby as she looks at the storefront of the toy shop on one of the monitors. There doesn’t seem to be much movement on any of the screens, but all of the doors are definitely closed. Outside the Retro Den, the lights are flickering. Calvin stiffens, watching it in confusion. Looking down at the desk, he sees a remote.
Alexa notices it next and grabs it.
She presses a button, and the footage begins to go in reverse.
Dylan points to himself and Zeke as they pick the lock. Alexa and Calvin can be seen behind them. Tara Jane stands beside them, alone.
The girl in the red dress looks at the screen, squinting.
Tara Jane turns to the girl. The others slowly catch on, realizing the girl isn’t on the screen.
The girl’s eyes widen.
Alexa rewinds further and the group walks backwards, appearing on a different monitor. The girl is still not visible.
Tara Jane is shown on the screen, talking to nobody.
Calvin turns around to look at the others.
Alexa turns to the girl.
The girl steps back.
Alexa takes a step forward. The girl steps backwards, bumping into Tara Jane’s Furby. All of its plastic hairs freeze at the tips. It slips from Tara Jane’s grasp and falls onto the table.
Everyone’s eyes are on the girl, and she stares at them nervously.
They look at Tara Jane in confusion, but Zeke seems to understand.
The Furby tries to speak, but it sounds glitchy.
Tara Jane scratches the back of her head.
Edie pauses.
Calvin tries to turn around and exit through the door of the office, but it slams shut with a bang. He touches the handle.
They turn around to look at Edie in fear. She smiles.
Alexa waits, expecting Edie to move. She doesn't.
Calvin looks up. The others look at him.
Edie pauses.
Before Edie can respond, one of the monitors begins to show the carousel spinning rapidly on its own. Everyone turns to it in surprise.
He looks at Edie, but she only stares at the screen. Zeke brings his eyes back to it.
A creak can be heard, coming from outside the room. On the screen, the horses of the carousel begin to fall out of it. They smash against the ground. The rapid spinning stops.
Tara Jane turns to where Edie was standing. She isn’t there. The group is surprised to see this.
The locked door of the security office falls open.
Dylan excitedly bolts through the door, the rest follow him.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Dylan is rushing to the main doors. He’s looking at his phone in his hand, where he is trying to cancel the message he sent to Jake.
Calvin hasn’t let his guard down yet. When Dylan reaches the main door, it doesn’t open.
Zeke pounds his fists on the door.
Zeke cuts himself off and runs off toward the other door. Dylan is about to follow him, but stops himself.
Alexa takes Calvin’s shoulder.
Alexa lets out a sigh of relief, then nods.
Tara Jane is standing by herself, talking into the air.
Tara Jane looks around, but Edie is nowhere to be seen. The Furby chirps.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Zeke is desperately pulling at the handle of the side door, hitting his palm against it.
He tries the handle again, but the skin on his hand begins to turn purple. He draws it back and stares at it.
Zeke begins to turn around, but freezes in his tracks.
A shadow of one of the carousel horses can be seen against the wall.
INT. MALL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Dylan takes a seat by a potted plant as Tara Jane is calling for Edie and Alexa is comforting Calvin. He pulls up his phone once again, going back to the text with Jake.
He begins to type.
"sorry jake, i hate to do this, but i really don’t think we’re gonna make it tonight : ("
He presses send, but it fails. He seems to expect this.
End.
I'd like to share the first episodes of at least two other screenplays I've written (which both are part of "series" that I've fully written), but this one is the most coherent of them.
It definitely has its flaws (especially the first few scenes), but I look back on it fondly compared to my other stuff. Please expect cheesiness and formatting issues (no part of my format transferred over from Google Docs so I had to individually center every line of dialogue. I am highly confident there is a mistake in there somewhere waaaaaa).
Thanks for checking this out!
Episode 1: "sorry jake"
INT. BIRDIE'S DINER - DAY. 1953.
Inside of a walk-in freezer, we see a teenage girl in a red dress with white dots, EDIE (17). There is a smile on her face as she reaches for a massive tub of vanilla ice cream. She takes it into her hands, then exits, closing the door behind her. Next to various stickers, there is a note on the door that reads, “DO NOT SLAM.”
As Edie carries the ice cream, she dodges other people running through the kitchen. She drops the tub onto a countertop, rips open the lid, then grabs a blender dish. Before she can question where the scooper is, a girl in a blue spotted dress drops it into her hands. This is GLORIA (19). She wears an engagement ring.
EDIE
(scooping the ice cream)
Table six asked about your ribbon.
GLORIA
What about my ribbon?
EDIE
They were curious.
GLORIA
About?
EDIE
Your impressive knots-manship. The lady in pink said you'd make a fine ship captain one day. It's not too late to change your future.
GLORIA
Is something wrong with the knot I did?
EDIE
No, they were complimenting it.
(scooping the ice cream)
Table six asked about your ribbon.
GLORIA
What about my ribbon?
EDIE
They were curious.
GLORIA
About?
EDIE
Your impressive knots-manship. The lady in pink said you'd make a fine ship captain one day. It's not too late to change your future.
GLORIA
Is something wrong with the knot I did?
EDIE
No, they were complimenting it.
Gloria touches the ribbon at the back of her hair.
EDIE
A fine ship captain.
GLORIA
Edie, does it look bad?
Edie glances over to the ribbon.
EDIE
Not at all. It's just a little elaborate.
GLORIA
How can a ribbon be elaborate?
EDIE
It's just like you went above and beyond.
Not at all. It's just a little elaborate.
GLORIA
How can a ribbon be elaborate?
EDIE
It's just like you went above and beyond.
A bell rings. With one hand self-consciously touching her hair, Gloria grabs a plate from the chef and exits.
Edie pours chocolate sauce into the blender, then adds a scoop of malt. She turns it on. After blending for a few seconds, she pours the beverage into two cups. She opens the fridge to grab a dish of whipped cream marked "7/31," then puts a dollop of it in each cup.
Grabbing a nearby chocolate bar, Edie shucks it from its wrapper, then grabs a knife to finely chop it. She sprinkles the chocolate dust on each milkshake, then heads into a pantry.
With a pair of scissors, Edie slices through a cardboard box. Inside it are straws. Edie grabs two, to gently place in the milkshakes, then takes out a few more.
Chopping and twisting the straws against each other, Edie makes two small flowers out of them. She attaches them to the straws in the shakes.
Gloria enters the kitchen, taking off her blue ribbon.
EDIE
It looked good––
GLORIA
Help me fix this.
EDIE
Aye aye, I just need to run these out.
It looked good––
GLORIA
Help me fix this.
EDIE
Aye aye, I just need to run these out.
INT. DINING ROOM - DAY
Edie brings the two milkshakes to two young girls, sitting with their mother.
EDIE
I've got two chocolate milkshakes. Now, who ordered those?
I've got two chocolate milkshakes. Now, who ordered those?
The kids clamor over each other, reaching out for them.
EDIE
Oh, was it you two?
Oh, was it you two?
Again, they shout over each other. Edie chuckles and gives the milkshakes to them.
INT. CHEF'S OFFICE - DAY
Edie walks over to Gloria, who is struggling to use the reflection of a cookie sheet to fix her hair.
EDIE
Why'd you take it out?
GLORIA
I'm not going to look like a fool. I'm getting out of here with grace.
Why'd you take it out?
GLORIA
I'm not going to look like a fool. I'm getting out of here with grace.
Edie takes the ribbon and begins helping Gloria.
EDIE
Since when have you had grace?
GLORIA
Never, but they need something to remember me by.
EDIE
I'm sure they already remember you for the bowl stack catastrophe of ‘49.
GLORIA
You weren't there for that.
EDIE
I've heard stories.
GLORIA
I really should have left this place sooner.
EDIE
You know how much Birdie's Diner cherishes having you here.
GLORIA
Not the diner. Golden Root.
Since when have you had grace?
GLORIA
Never, but they need something to remember me by.
EDIE
I'm sure they already remember you for the bowl stack catastrophe of ‘49.
GLORIA
You weren't there for that.
EDIE
I've heard stories.
GLORIA
I really should have left this place sooner.
EDIE
You know how much Birdie's Diner cherishes having you here.
GLORIA
Not the diner. Golden Root.
Edie chuckles.
EDIE
Aw, c’mon, you know you love it here.
GLORIA
I wouldn’t say that.
EDIE
It’s home.
Aw, c’mon, you know you love it here.
GLORIA
I wouldn’t say that.
EDIE
It’s home.
Gloria pauses.
GLORIA
Hey, there’s something I haven’t told you. Teddy and I put an offer on a house. It was accepted.
EDIE
Whoa, what? Since when can you guys afford a house?
GLORIA
His parents are helping pay for it––but listen––
EDIE
Honestly, good on you for marrying rich. At least the diner won’t have to cater the wedding. Where’s the house? How close is it to ours?
GLORIA
I’m leaving Golden Root.
Hey, there’s something I haven’t told you. Teddy and I put an offer on a house. It was accepted.
EDIE
Whoa, what? Since when can you guys afford a house?
GLORIA
His parents are helping pay for it––but listen––
EDIE
Honestly, good on you for marrying rich. At least the diner won’t have to cater the wedding. Where’s the house? How close is it to ours?
GLORIA
I’m leaving Golden Root.
Edie blinks.
EDIE
You’re joking.
GLORIA
I’m not.
EDIE
Were the houses here too expensive? Maybe Teddy’s family wants to give you more money. I’ll give you money. I’ve made ten bucks in the last week, but it’s yours.
GLORIA
I don’t want to stay in this town. I’ve been trying to think about how I want to spend the rest of my life, and I really don’t think it should be in a place where the only thing to do is visit the mall.
EDIE
Okay…? Where are you going?
GLORIA
New York.
EDIE
You bought a house in New York?! You can’t be serious.
GLORIA
Teddy and I have made our decision.
EDIE
How come the first time I hear about it is right now?
GLORIA
I was going to tell you. You know I was. I was just scared of you telling Mom and her losing her mind.
EDIE
Mom doesn’t know?
GLORIA
God, no.
EDIE
You know I wouldn’t have told her if you asked me. You know that. Why wouldn’t you tell me?
GLORIA
I was going to tell you. I just knew how you’d get.
EDIE
How I’d get that you’re moving across the country and you just tell me today?
GLORIA
I’m sorry.
EDIE
We were supposed to stay here together. I know you’d be leaving me at Birdie’s, but we’d still get to hang out at home. That was the plan.
GLORIA
It was the plan when we were kids. I’m engaged.
EDIE
Why does that have anything to do with it?
GLORIA
This is why I waited to tell you.
EDIE
What?
GLORIA
You always talk like we’re still young.
EDIE
We’re still young. What are you talking––
GLORIA
I just wanted you to be happy for me.
EDIE
I––You’re leaving me.
GLORIA
You can come visit. You know you’re always welcome.
EDIE
Then why not just stay in Golden Root?
GLORIA
I’ve told you. There’s nothing to do here.
EDIE
Stay in Golden Root. Please. We can all be together. There can be room for Teddy.
GLORIA
Come on, Edie. You’re acting like a child.
EDIE
We’re supposed to stay here.
GLORIA
We’re supposed to grow up. It’s time you do, too. Come on, even you understand you can’t live in a place like this forever.
You’re joking.
GLORIA
I’m not.
EDIE
Were the houses here too expensive? Maybe Teddy’s family wants to give you more money. I’ll give you money. I’ve made ten bucks in the last week, but it’s yours.
GLORIA
I don’t want to stay in this town. I’ve been trying to think about how I want to spend the rest of my life, and I really don’t think it should be in a place where the only thing to do is visit the mall.
EDIE
Okay…? Where are you going?
GLORIA
New York.
EDIE
You bought a house in New York?! You can’t be serious.
GLORIA
Teddy and I have made our decision.
EDIE
How come the first time I hear about it is right now?
GLORIA
I was going to tell you. You know I was. I was just scared of you telling Mom and her losing her mind.
EDIE
Mom doesn’t know?
GLORIA
God, no.
EDIE
You know I wouldn’t have told her if you asked me. You know that. Why wouldn’t you tell me?
GLORIA
I was going to tell you. I just knew how you’d get.
EDIE
How I’d get that you’re moving across the country and you just tell me today?
GLORIA
I’m sorry.
EDIE
We were supposed to stay here together. I know you’d be leaving me at Birdie’s, but we’d still get to hang out at home. That was the plan.
GLORIA
It was the plan when we were kids. I’m engaged.
EDIE
Why does that have anything to do with it?
GLORIA
This is why I waited to tell you.
EDIE
What?
GLORIA
You always talk like we’re still young.
EDIE
We’re still young. What are you talking––
GLORIA
I just wanted you to be happy for me.
EDIE
I––You’re leaving me.
GLORIA
You can come visit. You know you’re always welcome.
EDIE
Then why not just stay in Golden Root?
GLORIA
I’ve told you. There’s nothing to do here.
EDIE
Stay in Golden Root. Please. We can all be together. There can be room for Teddy.
GLORIA
Come on, Edie. You’re acting like a child.
EDIE
We’re supposed to stay here.
GLORIA
We’re supposed to grow up. It’s time you do, too. Come on, even you understand you can’t live in a place like this forever.
Edie drops the ribbon. She turns around and leaves. Gloria lets her go.
INT. WALK-IN FREEZER - DAY
Edie storms into the freezer, letting the door slam behind her. She sinks down to the ground and rests her face in her arms. Goosebumps appear on her skin, but she doesn’t care. She stays there and sobs.
After a little while, Edie rubs her arms. She picks up her head and looks around at the freezer. Tubs of ice cream catch her eye. Staring at it seems to only make her sadder.
Edie gets up onto her feet, her heels sliding against the floor. She presses against the door.
The door doesn’t budge. She tries it again, but it seems to be jammed.
EDIE
No…
No…
Edie pushes again and again, throwing herself against it.
EDIE
No, no, no.
No, no, no.
Edie bangs on the door with her fist.
EDIE
Hello?!
Hello?!
Edie, desperate, keeps banging on the door.
EDIE
Hello?! Help! Please, help! Gloria?! Gloria!
Hello?! Help! Please, help! Gloria?! Gloria!
No one is there. Edie struggles to keep trying, the cold weighing on her.
Her heels slide on the ground, and she slips down, hitting her head on a shelf. She tries to get back up, but is too weak.
Edie stays on the ground. Her eyes begin to shut.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT. 2023.
We see a young woman as she squats in front of a shelf of toys, a clipboard and pen in her hands. She has dyed white hair that is long enough to rest on her shoulders. Her name tag tells us that her name is TARA JANE (19).
Tara Jane is delicately moving aside boxes of Tamagotchi toys and eyeing them. She then moves onto Furbies and does the same. When she moves onto the next set of toys, she hears a whirring sound. It comes from the Furby shelf.
Tara Jane looks closely at the shelf. She is about to continue working, when the sound can be heard again. She spots one of the Furbies, a speckled purple one, shaking slightly. It whispers a word of gibberish.
Tara Jane watches it. It doesn't do anything else. She looks back down to the next shelf of toys and continues taking inventory.
One aisle over, another young woman (ALEXA, 20) is looking at stuffed animals, while a young man (CALVIN, 23) stands behind her.
ALEXA
Look at this one. This is just the cutest. You've always loved turtles, right?
CALVIN
I don't know.
ALEXA
Mom told me she once saw you on all fours with a green sleigh on your back, eating cabbage on the carpet.
CALVIN
You don't have to do this.
ALEXA
Of course I do.
CALVIN
Alexa, really.
Look at this one. This is just the cutest. You've always loved turtles, right?
CALVIN
I don't know.
ALEXA
Mom told me she once saw you on all fours with a green sleigh on your back, eating cabbage on the carpet.
CALVIN
You don't have to do this.
ALEXA
Of course I do.
CALVIN
Alexa, really.
Alexa shakes her head with a smile.
ALEXA
Nope. You're getting a present. I'm proud of you and you should be, too.
Nope. You're getting a present. I'm proud of you and you should be, too.
Calvin rubs the back of his neck.
Tara Jane watches the two as she takes inventory. She looks at the bracelets on Alexa's arms, counting them. She writes down the number at the bottom of the page on her clipboard.
The purple Furby squeals. Calvin jumps.
ALEXA
Oh, are you guys closing up?
TARA JANE
No. Not yet. (gesturing to the Furby) Don't listen to him, he doesn't get paid to work here.
Oh, are you guys closing up?
TARA JANE
No. Not yet. (gesturing to the Furby) Don't listen to him, he doesn't get paid to work here.
Alexa chuckles, but it sounds forced.
CALVIN
Let’s leave.
ALEXA
They're not closed––
CALVIN
Please.
Let’s leave.
ALEXA
They're not closed––
CALVIN
Please.
She pauses.
ALEXA
Okay. Whatever you want.
Okay. Whatever you want.
Picking up her pen, Tara Jane continues taking inventory. Alexa leads Calvin to the sliding doors, heading back towards the mall.
The doors do not part. Alexa stops herself before she walks into the glass. She tries to wave her hand in front of them, but they still won’t open.
She turns around to Tara Jane.
ALEXA
Excuse me?
Excuse me?
Tara Jane looks up. The doors slide open just as she does so. Alexa heads into the mall, Calvin lagging behind her.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Alexa turns her head over her shoulder to look at Calvin as they continue walking. As they pass a large, aged clock, Calvin stares up at it.
ALEXA
Where do you want to go now?
CALVIN
I’m okay to go home. Everything’s closing up, anyways.
ALEXA
Not everything. What’s that other store you like? The Retro Den?
CALVIN
It’s closed.
ALEXA
Are you sure?
CALVIN
I think so.
ALEXA
Let’s check.
Where do you want to go now?
CALVIN
I’m okay to go home. Everything’s closing up, anyways.
ALEXA
Not everything. What’s that other store you like? The Retro Den?
CALVIN
It’s closed.
ALEXA
Are you sure?
CALVIN
I think so.
ALEXA
Let’s check.
Alexa is about to continue walking when she gets cut off by a teenage boy riding a skateboard through the mall.
BOY
Heads up!
Heads up!
Alexa steps back, frowning at him.
ALEXA
Unkind.
Unkind.
INT. CAFE - NIGHT
We see a teenage boy with messy blond hair that nearly reaches his shoulders. As he hunches over a counter, his hair nearly covers up his name tag that reads "ZEKE."
He has a smile on his face as he pours foamed milk into a mug. With the foamed milk, he makes a lightning bolt shape. He uses a skewer to add accents to it, giving it a comic-book look.
He sets it onto the counter and a hand quickly wraps around it. Zeke looks up to see the skater boy (DYLAN, 18), taking it.
DYLAN
This is fire, man.
ZEKE
Huh, it was supposed to be lightning.
This is fire, man.
ZEKE
Huh, it was supposed to be lightning.
Dylan immediately turns away. Zeke cackles until he turns back around.
DYLAN
I can’t believe I made it in time. I saw you guys already cleaning the tables.
ZEKE
You know I would’ve made you one anyways. Besides, I’m closing tonight.
DYLAN
You are?
ZEKE
Yep. Covering for Sam.
DYLAN
What time do you finish closing? I told Jake we’d be there at 9:30 so we could stop for snacks on the way over.
ZEKE
I won’t be done until ten. The hours are different for the anniversary.
DYLAN
That’s today?
ZEKE
Tomorrow, but this whole week the hours have been different. Haven’t you seen the fliers?
I can’t believe I made it in time. I saw you guys already cleaning the tables.
ZEKE
You know I would’ve made you one anyways. Besides, I’m closing tonight.
DYLAN
You are?
ZEKE
Yep. Covering for Sam.
DYLAN
What time do you finish closing? I told Jake we’d be there at 9:30 so we could stop for snacks on the way over.
ZEKE
I won’t be done until ten. The hours are different for the anniversary.
DYLAN
That’s today?
ZEKE
Tomorrow, but this whole week the hours have been different. Haven’t you seen the fliers?
Zeke points to a flier displayed on the counter. It reads, “Join us for Golden Hour Plaza’s 75th anniversary! Shops are open with later hours, leading up to the anniversary this Saturday.”
DYLAN
Gross. You should quit.
ZEKE
I’m making big bucks. Gonna need it for Toronto.
Gross. You should quit.
ZEKE
I’m making big bucks. Gonna need it for Toronto.
Dylan frowns, but turns this action into a wide stretch.
DYLAN
So should I text Jake and let him know we’ll be awhile?
ZEKE
You can go without me. I gotta get back home for that interview tomorrow morning anyways.
DYLAN
What? No, dude, we’ll go after work.
ZEKE
You said 9:30.
DYLAN
It’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s already…
So should I text Jake and let him know we’ll be awhile?
ZEKE
You can go without me. I gotta get back home for that interview tomorrow morning anyways.
DYLAN
What? No, dude, we’ll go after work.
ZEKE
You said 9:30.
DYLAN
It’s not a big deal. Besides, it’s already…
Dylan checks his digital watch.
DYLAN
Nine on the dot. It’d take a while to grab food and head there. I’ll text him.
Nine on the dot. It’d take a while to grab food and head there. I’ll text him.
Dylan takes out his phone.
DYLAN
I always forget how bad the service is in this mall.
ZEKE
They do that so you can’t look up any prices online and know you’re getting scammed.
DYLAN
Smart. I’ll head out so I can get a better signal.
ZEKE
Remember, doors lock soon.
DYLAN
Got it.
I always forget how bad the service is in this mall.
ZEKE
They do that so you can’t look up any prices online and know you’re getting scammed.
DYLAN
Smart. I’ll head out so I can get a better signal.
ZEKE
Remember, doors lock soon.
DYLAN
Got it.
Dylan takes his skateboard in one hand, his latte in the other, and heads out.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
The mall is quiet as most shops are either closed or closing. Vendors are flipping their "open" signs to "closed." He heads towards the exit, but stops when he sees a teenage girl in a 50s style restaurant, labeled by the sign above it as "Birdie's Diner." He sees her slip to the ground.
Dylan rushes over to the door.
DYLAN
Are you okay?
Are you okay?
She stays on the ground, not moving. Dylan looks around himself, but there's no one there to help. He drops the skateboard and grabs for the door.
The girl jumps to her feet. She locks the door.
Dylan watches in surprise as the girl turns away and disappears into the depths of the diner. He goes to pick up his skateboard, but it’s no longer there. His eyes flicker around the tile floor, searching for the skateboard. There’s nothing nearby.
Dylan backtracks, away from the exit and deeper into the mall. He looks on a nearby bench to see if he set it down there, but it’s empty.
He turns back to the girl in the restaurant, but she hasn't returned to the door. Looking back to the closing storefronts, there really isn’t anyone around.
Dylan pauses. He touches a hand to the bridge of his nose, as if to push up a pair of glasses that aren’t there. He pulls his phone out of his pocket, reading his unsent "so sorry to do this now but we're gonna be about 30 minutes late. i'll keep you posted" message. He continues toward the mall exit.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane is counting up the money in the cash register. There's not much, as most of it is probably digital. The Furby is on the counter beside her, softly clicking and whirring.
Tara Jane looks up from the cash and at the Furby. She pauses for a few seconds. Tara Jane reaches into her pocket and pulls out her wallet. She removes some cash from it and places it into the register.
She wraps an arm around the Furby in its box, holding it closer to her. She pulls out a drawer beneath the counter. Inside is one half of a large scissor.
She wraps her fingers around the plastic handle and takes the blade toward the box of the Furby.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Walking past a turned-off carousel, Alexa leads Calvin towards a closed-looking store.
CALVIN
It’s not open.
Alexa goes to the door and pulls on it.It’s not open.
CALVIN
Let’s go somewhere else. I think the mall’s closed up.
ALEXA
There’s a light on.
CALVIN
It’s not open.
ALEXA
No, look.
Calvin approaches the window. There’s a little red light coming out of a digital clock. 06:14 flashes on its screen.
INT. MALL EXIT - NIGHT
Dylan looks around himself as he makes his way to the exit. He looks over to the door ahead of him.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane drives the blade into the cardboard box.
INT. OUTSIDE RETRO STORE - NIGHT
The clock turns to 06:15 and begins to sound its alarm.
Calvin tenses. He looks over to Alexa.
ALEXA
That’s weird.
That’s weird.
Alexa moves closer.
The room begins to glow in harsh, red light. Clocks all over the store alight with 06:15s. Their alarms all sound at once.
Calvin jumps backwards. Alexa is startled too.
Alexa forces a laugh.
ALEXA
That’s so bizarre. What do you think that is? Something to keep thieves away? I bet it’d work.
That’s so bizarre. What do you think that is? Something to keep thieves away? I bet it’d work.
She looks over to Calvin, who is still frozen.
ALEXA
It’s funny, Calvin. It’s just funny.
She forces another laugh. He lets out an equally forced dry chuckle.
INT. MALL EXIT - NIGHT
Dylan walks to the exit, but the door doesn’t open. He reaches his hand out against the glass, trying to catch the sensors. When nothing happens, he looks down to the mat next to the door and stomps onto it.
The door stays closed. Dylan looks around himself, but the area is still empty.
DYLAN
No way… People were just here. This can’t be serious.
No way… People were just here. This can’t be serious.
He looks at the text conversation with Jake on his phone, but there's still no reception. Dylan takes off deeper into the mall.
INT. MALL HALLWAY - NIGHT
Dylan runs back down the hall, towards the cafe.
Zeke can be seen finishing closing up, hanging up his apron.
DYLAN
Zeke!
Zeke!
Dylan rushes up to him.
DYLAN
Dude, they closed up!
ZEKE
What?
DYLAN
The mall. The doors are locked. We’re stuck in here. Jake's gonna think we're flaking at the last minute. We gotta get somebody––
ZEKE
The mall’s not closed. (checking his watch) Not yet. We talked about the hours changing for the anniversary.
DYLAN
No, the main door’s locked. I couldn’t get out.
ZEKE
Did you try any of the other ones?
Dude, they closed up!
ZEKE
What?
DYLAN
The mall. The doors are locked. We’re stuck in here. Jake's gonna think we're flaking at the last minute. We gotta get somebody––
ZEKE
The mall’s not closed. (checking his watch) Not yet. We talked about the hours changing for the anniversary.
DYLAN
No, the main door’s locked. I couldn’t get out.
ZEKE
Did you try any of the other ones?
Dylan pauses.
ZEKE
I’m pretty much done. Let me lock up and we can get out of here.
I’m pretty much done. Let me lock up and we can get out of here.
INT. TOY STORE - NIGHT
Tara Jane sits in a bean bag chair with the Furby beside her. She’s reading the instruction manual. Tara Jane sets the manual down and turns to the Furby.
TARA JANE
Hello.
Hello.
The Furby does not respond.
TARA JANE
Hello.
Hello.
The Furby does not respond. Tara Jane picks up the instruction manual again.
A figure can be seen walking past the store window in a red, spotted dress. Tara Jane looks up from the manual. She sees that the light outside is slightly dimmed and checks the time on her phone.
Tara Jane gets to her feet, taking her Furby with her.
Tara Jane grabs her bag and locks the doors, slipping the key into her pocket. She enters the mall.
INT. MALL HALLWAY - NIGHT
Alexa and Calvin are making their way towards one of the exits.
ALEXA
We have to come back tomorrow, alright? I shouldn’t have brought you here so late. I don’t know what I was thinking.
CALVIN
It’s okay.
ALEXA
Maybe tomorrow we could get brunch at the diner and then go? Wouldn’t that be fun?
CALVIN
It’s okay.
ALEXA
Calvin, don’t say that. I’ve already got an idea of what tomorrow will be. We can go on a walk near the pond close by. I’ve heard they’ve got some good trails. What do you say?
We have to come back tomorrow, alright? I shouldn’t have brought you here so late. I don’t know what I was thinking.
CALVIN
It’s okay.
ALEXA
Maybe tomorrow we could get brunch at the diner and then go? Wouldn’t that be fun?
CALVIN
It’s okay.
ALEXA
Calvin, don’t say that. I’ve already got an idea of what tomorrow will be. We can go on a walk near the pond close by. I’ve heard they’ve got some good trails. What do you say?
Calvin looks down.
CALVIN
Alright.
ALEXA
Perfect.
Alright.
ALEXA
Perfect.
Alexa is cut off by Dylan rushing towards the door as Zeke follows behind him. Dylan has his phone in his hands.
They go to the door, but it doesn't open.
DYLAN
See? It's not sending. I can’t do this to Jake, I told him 9:30.
See? It's not sending. I can’t do this to Jake, I told him 9:30.
Zeke waves his hand in front of the sensors. The doors stay closed. He pauses in surprise.
ALEXA (O.S.)
Is this exit closed?
Is this exit closed?
Dylan scratches the back of his head.
DYLAN
We're stuck. We're stuck in here.
We're stuck. We're stuck in here.
Calvin looks at Alexa, suddenly concerned.
ALEXA
(to Calvin)
No, we're not. There's another exit, my car's parked outside it. Let's go there.
(to Calvin)
No, we're not. There's another exit, my car's parked outside it. Let's go there.
Calvin cautiously follows Alexa away.
INT. EAST MALL - NIGHT
Tara Jane walks towards the exit with her Furby in hand. It begins to click, surprising her. She smiles and turns back towards the door, but pauses when she sees a figure already there, pushing on the doors.
It’s the girl in the red spotted dress, the same one from the diner. We see her painted nails as she presses her hands against the door.
The Furby speaks suddenly, causing the girl to jump. She turns around.
TARA JANE
Sorry… (awkwardly) He’s still learning his manners.
Sorry… (awkwardly) He’s still learning his manners.
The girl searches around with her eyes before connecting them with the Furby. She bursts into laughter.
GIRL
(through laughter)
I thought a raccoon had gotten in here or something.
(through laughter)
I thought a raccoon had gotten in here or something.
She keeps on laughing a bit too hard at that. Tara Jane sees the doors behind her. She waves a hand in front of them, but they don’t open.
TARA JANE
Are we locked in here?
Are we locked in here?
The girl struggles to catch her breath to answer the question.
GIRL
Looks like it. The doors won’t open.
TARA JANE
Oh…
Looks like it. The doors won’t open.
TARA JANE
Oh…
She trails off, then attempts to shake off her nervousness.
TARA JANE
Does this mean we get to raid the restaurants?
GIRL
I’ve got the keys to the diner.
TARA JANE
You do?
Does this mean we get to raid the restaurants?
GIRL
I’ve got the keys to the diner.
TARA JANE
You do?
The girl swings around a set of keys.
GIRL
Wanna check it out?
TARA JANE
For real?
GIRL
Why not?
TARA JANE
I mean… I was kidding.
Wanna check it out?
TARA JANE
For real?
GIRL
Why not?
TARA JANE
I mean… I was kidding.
Alexa and Calvin come rushing into the area. They hurry to the doors, but they won’t open.
CALVIN
No…
ALEXA
It’s going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine.
No…
ALEXA
It’s going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine.
Calvin shakes his head.
TARA JANE
There's a few other exits.
ALEXA
We tried those. We tried all of them.
There's a few other exits.
ALEXA
We tried those. We tried all of them.
Zeke and Dylan walk into the area, slowing down when they see the others crowded by the door.
DYLAN
No…
ZEKE
Wait, wait. Someone must have been able to lock the doors. Maybe a security guard.
ALEXA
Yes! This is probably just some miscommunication with the security guard. They must have gotten the time wrong about when to lock up.
CALVIN
But why would the security guard lock the doors if they were still inside––?
ALEXA
(to Zeke)
What’s your name?
ZEKE
Zeke.
DYLAN
I’m Dylan.
ALEXA
I’m Alexa. This is C––
DYLAN
Oh, Alexa? Just like the Barbie movie.
No…
ZEKE
Wait, wait. Someone must have been able to lock the doors. Maybe a security guard.
ALEXA
Yes! This is probably just some miscommunication with the security guard. They must have gotten the time wrong about when to lock up.
CALVIN
But why would the security guard lock the doors if they were still inside––?
ALEXA
(to Zeke)
What’s your name?
ZEKE
Zeke.
DYLAN
I’m Dylan.
ALEXA
I’m Alexa. This is C––
DYLAN
Oh, Alexa? Just like the Barbie movie.
Alexa blinks. This was not the reference she was expecting.
ALEXA
Yeah… Zeke, you work at the mall, right?
Tara Jane and the girl give each other a look.
ZEKE
Yeah.
TARA JANE
We do, too.
ALEXA
Do you know how the doors are locked each night?
ZEKE
They’re on a timer. But there’s one door that has to be locked from the outside by a security guard.
ALEXA
That’s great. Do you know where that door is?
TARA JANE
Past the bathrooms.
ALEXA
What's your name?
TARA JANE
Tara Jane. I also work here. (looking at the girl) I think she does, too––
ALEXA
Tara Jane?
TARA JANE
Yeah.
ALEXA
Okay, lead the way.
Yeah.
TARA JANE
We do, too.
ALEXA
Do you know how the doors are locked each night?
ZEKE
They’re on a timer. But there’s one door that has to be locked from the outside by a security guard.
ALEXA
That’s great. Do you know where that door is?
TARA JANE
Past the bathrooms.
ALEXA
What's your name?
TARA JANE
Tara Jane. I also work here. (looking at the girl) I think she does, too––
ALEXA
Tara Jane?
TARA JANE
Yeah.
ALEXA
Okay, lead the way.
They follow Tara Jane as she begins walking towards the bathrooms. The girl in the red spotted dress lags behind, watching them continue with widened eyes.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
The group steps into the hallway. The girl hurries her pace to get closer to Tara Jane.
GIRL
What about our plan to raid the restaurants?
TARA JANE
Apparently escape is more important for some reason.
GIRL
More important than free food?
What about our plan to raid the restaurants?
TARA JANE
Apparently escape is more important for some reason.
GIRL
More important than free food?
The Furby interrupts Tara Jane before she can answer. When the group sees the door, they rush to it. The girl, however, stays back. She holds her arms against each other and has a nervous look on her face.
ZEKE
It hasn’t been locked yet! Look at the deadbolt.
DYLAN
C’mon!
It hasn’t been locked yet! Look at the deadbolt.
DYLAN
C’mon!
Dylan reaches for the door handle. The girl’s gaze suddenly hardens on it. When Dylan touches the handle, he hisses and pulls his hand back.
ZEKE
Dylan? What’re you doing?
Dylan? What’re you doing?
Zeke grabs for the handle, but also yanks his hand back after touching it.
ALEXA
What’s going on?
DYLAN
It’s, like, frozen solid.
What’s going on?
DYLAN
It’s, like, frozen solid.
Alexa wraps her arm in her sleeve and grabs for the handle. It won’t budge.
ALEXA
No… That makes no sense. Why isn’t it opening?
No… That makes no sense. Why isn’t it opening?
Alexa turns to Zeke.
ALEXA
Why would this be stuck?
ZEKE
I don’t know. Did the temperatures drop outside?
DYLAN
No way. It’s nowhere near that cold.
ALEXA
Is there some kind of… Machine malfunctioning?
DYLAN
What kind of machine?
ALEXA
An ice machine?
ZEKE
On the other side of the door?
ALEXA
There has to be something, right? Something has to be causing this?
Why would this be stuck?
ZEKE
I don’t know. Did the temperatures drop outside?
DYLAN
No way. It’s nowhere near that cold.
ALEXA
Is there some kind of… Machine malfunctioning?
DYLAN
What kind of machine?
ALEXA
An ice machine?
ZEKE
On the other side of the door?
ALEXA
There has to be something, right? Something has to be causing this?
No one has any ideas.
ALEXA
Let’s call someone. I can look up whoever’s in charge here.
DYLAN
I don’t think that’s gonna work.
Let’s call someone. I can look up whoever’s in charge here.
DYLAN
I don’t think that’s gonna work.
Alexa pulls up her phone, but she has no service.
Tara Jane turns to the girl and raises the Furby. She brings down her voice.
TARA JANE
(gesturing to the Furby)
He'll keep us safe.
(gesturing to the Furby)
He'll keep us safe.
The girl turns to Tara Jane.
TARA JANE
When I was a kid, my mom used to say that our cat could eat monsters.
The girl doesn’t respond.
TARA JANE
I know he's not a cat… But maybe he's close?
I know he's not a cat… But maybe he's close?
She stays quiet.
DYLAN
The sliding doors are glass, right? We can break through them.
ALEXA
We can’t break them. That’s––People won’t like that.
DYLAN
(checking his phone)
I mean, yeah, but people also don’t like being trapped indoors.
The sliding doors are glass, right? We can break through them.
ALEXA
We can’t break them. That’s––People won’t like that.
DYLAN
(checking his phone)
I mean, yeah, but people also don’t like being trapped indoors.
His message is still unsent.
ZEKE
The door’s unlocked. I’ve seen it like this, I know it opens.
Zeke wraps his apron around his hand and grabs for the handle. He leans his weight on the door, but it still won’t budge.
DYLAN
We can break through the sliding doors.
ALEXA
No, no. There has to be someone else in here. If the door’s unlocked, that means the security guard hasn’t left yet. That’s what you said.
ZEKE
Yeah… Okay, sure, let’s try something.
We can break through the sliding doors.
ALEXA
No, no. There has to be someone else in here. If the door’s unlocked, that means the security guard hasn’t left yet. That’s what you said.
ZEKE
Yeah… Okay, sure, let’s try something.
The group starts heading away from the door, and the girl lets out a breath. As they exit, a security camera begins to move, and Alexa catches it.
ALEXA
Wait, look! Someone’s watching!
Wait, look! Someone’s watching!
They look up to the camera in surprise. Alexa begins waving to it.
ALEXA
Hello! If you can see us, we’re stuck in here!
TARA JANE
That’s automated. It turns when it tracks something moving.
DYLAN
Wait, maybe the cameras can sense a security guard walking around. Isn’t there an office with a bunch of monitors? Maybe there’s controls for the doors in there!
ZEKE
The security office, you’re right. Come on.
GIRL
(to Tara Jane)
Monitors?
Hello! If you can see us, we’re stuck in here!
TARA JANE
That’s automated. It turns when it tracks something moving.
DYLAN
Wait, maybe the cameras can sense a security guard walking around. Isn’t there an office with a bunch of monitors? Maybe there’s controls for the doors in there!
ZEKE
The security office, you’re right. Come on.
GIRL
(to Tara Jane)
Monitors?
Tara Jane doesn’t hear.
Zeke leads them out of the hall.
INT. OUTSIDE SECURITY OFFICE - NIGHT
Alexa tries to turn the handle, but it’s locked.
ALEXA
It needs a key… Unless anyone here knows how to pick locks.
Dylan and Zeke both raise their hands, to the rest of the group’s surprise.
TARA JANE
How?
DYLAN
I used to break into Zeke’s shed to steal his longboard.
ZEKE
I wanted to know how he did it, so I learned too.
How?
DYLAN
I used to break into Zeke’s shed to steal his longboard.
ZEKE
I wanted to know how he did it, so I learned too.
Dylan holds up his hand, preparing rock-paper-scissors.
ZEKE
It’s cool, you can go ahead.
DYLAN
Don’t tell me you forgot.
ZEKE
It’s not a skill I’m gonna need in art school.
DYLAN
(grimacing)
I wouldn’t say that just yet.
Dylan reaches into his bag.
ZEKE
You still carry the tools?
DYLAN
For emergencies.
It’s cool, you can go ahead.
DYLAN
Don’t tell me you forgot.
ZEKE
It’s not a skill I’m gonna need in art school.
DYLAN
(grimacing)
I wouldn’t say that just yet.
Dylan reaches into his bag.
ZEKE
You still carry the tools?
DYLAN
For emergencies.
He takes out a couple paper clips.
DYLAN
Alright guys, prepare yourselves.
ZEKE
I’m prepared.
Alright guys, prepare yourselves.
ZEKE
I’m prepared.
Dylan begins to pick the lock. Some time passes, and he still doesn’t have it open.
ZEKE
I’m still prepared.
DYLAN
It’s been a while since I’ve done this.
ZEKE
Want me to do it?
DYLAN
No.
TARA JANE
I can also do it.
I’m still prepared.
DYLAN
It’s been a while since I’ve done this.
ZEKE
Want me to do it?
DYLAN
No.
TARA JANE
I can also do it.
They turn to her.
TARA JANE
I can’t, I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that.
I can’t, I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that.
After some squabbling with Dylan, Zeke takes over the lock-picking, opening the door.
INT. SECURITY OFFICE - NIGHT
The fluorescent light from the mall filters into the small room. Monitors line one of the walls, showing different angles of the mall.
Dylan guffaws, rubbing his hands together and taking a seat in a rotating chair that has only three wheels.
ZEKE
Dude.
DYLAN
This is so cool.
Dude.
DYLAN
This is so cool.
The girl in the red dress is equally impressed, staring over each of the screens. She moves to the far end of the wall and places her hand against one of the screens. Icy crystals begin to form at the tips of her fingers, and she quickly draws her hand back.
Tara Jane lowers her Furby as she looks at the storefront of the toy shop on one of the monitors. There doesn’t seem to be much movement on any of the screens, but all of the doors are definitely closed. Outside the Retro Den, the lights are flickering. Calvin stiffens, watching it in confusion. Looking down at the desk, he sees a remote.
Alexa notices it next and grabs it.
ALEXA
There’s a remote. Maybe we can rewind and see how the door was jammed.
TARA JANE
Does a remote like that rewind?
There’s a remote. Maybe we can rewind and see how the door was jammed.
TARA JANE
Does a remote like that rewind?
She presses a button, and the footage begins to go in reverse.
DYLAN
Hey look, that’s us!
Hey look, that’s us!
Dylan points to himself and Zeke as they pick the lock. Alexa and Calvin can be seen behind them. Tara Jane stands beside them, alone.
ALEXA
Okay, there’s us. What about that door?
Okay, there’s us. What about that door?
The girl in the red dress looks at the screen, squinting.
TARA JANE
Wait, hold on. Where’s…
Wait, hold on. Where’s…
Tara Jane turns to the girl. The others slowly catch on, realizing the girl isn’t on the screen.
TARA JANE
You were right next to me, weren’t you?
You were right next to me, weren’t you?
The girl’s eyes widen.
Alexa rewinds further and the group walks backwards, appearing on a different monitor. The girl is still not visible.
TARA JANE
That. That’s where I told you about my mom and the cat.
That. That’s where I told you about my mom and the cat.
Tara Jane is shown on the screen, talking to nobody.
CALVIN
She’s…
She’s…
Calvin turns around to look at the others.
ZEKE
Where’d she go?
DYLAN
She’s totally gone.
Where’d she go?
DYLAN
She’s totally gone.
Alexa turns to the girl.
ALEXA
What’s your name?
What’s your name?
The girl steps back.
ALEXA
What is it?
What is it?
Alexa takes a step forward. The girl steps backwards, bumping into Tara Jane’s Furby. All of its plastic hairs freeze at the tips. It slips from Tara Jane’s grasp and falls onto the table.
Everyone’s eyes are on the girl, and she stares at them nervously.
GIRL
I’m… I’m Edie.
DYLAN
Edie what?
GIRL
Tanager.
TARA JANE
Don’t say that.
I’m… I’m Edie.
DYLAN
Edie what?
GIRL
Tanager.
TARA JANE
Don’t say that.
They look at Tara Jane in confusion, but Zeke seems to understand.
ALEXA
What?
TARA JANE
Edie Tanager was a girl who died in a freezer seventy-something years ago. It was at Birdie’s Diner.
ALEXA
How do you know?
ZEKE
It’s been a story around here for forever.
DYLAN
What? I saw her at Birdie's. I saw her slip.
ZEKE
The monitor… She doesn’t appear on the monitor. She froze your Furby. Oh my god.
ALEXA
That can’t…
What?
TARA JANE
Edie Tanager was a girl who died in a freezer seventy-something years ago. It was at Birdie’s Diner.
ALEXA
How do you know?
ZEKE
It’s been a story around here for forever.
DYLAN
What? I saw her at Birdie's. I saw her slip.
ZEKE
The monitor… She doesn’t appear on the monitor. She froze your Furby. Oh my god.
ALEXA
That can’t…
The Furby tries to speak, but it sounds glitchy.
ALEXA
The doors––The doors were frozen. You felt that right? You all felt that?
ZEKE
They were frozen solid.
The doors––The doors were frozen. You felt that right? You all felt that?
ZEKE
They were frozen solid.
Tara Jane scratches the back of her head.
TARA JANE
Edie… What's going on here?
Edie… What's going on here?
Edie pauses.
EDIE
You told me we’d raid the restaurants.
TARA JANE
Does that… Have anything to do with this?
You told me we’d raid the restaurants.
TARA JANE
Does that… Have anything to do with this?
Calvin tries to turn around and exit through the door of the office, but it slams shut with a bang. He touches the handle.
CALVIN
It’s cold.
It’s cold.
They turn around to look at Edie in fear. She smiles.
EDIE
I know how this looks right now, but I promise everything is completely fine. Better than fine.
DYLAN
She’s going to kill us.
EDIE
No, no! I promise, I don’t want that at all.
ALEXA
Then what do you want from us?
EDIE
Please, don’t say it like that. I was going to tell you later–– I don’t exactly know how to put it into words–– I was just hoping we could spend time together. Right here in the best place possible.
TARA JANE
What do you mean?
EDIE
Golden Hour Plaza––we get the whole place to ourselves and all the time in the world.
ZEKE
What? No––my interview tomorrow––my entire future is riding on this.
EDIE
Don’t worry about it.
ALEXA
Hey, Edie, was it? Why don't we have a talk, okay? Can we have a talk?
EDIE
Sure thing.
I know how this looks right now, but I promise everything is completely fine. Better than fine.
DYLAN
She’s going to kill us.
EDIE
No, no! I promise, I don’t want that at all.
ALEXA
Then what do you want from us?
EDIE
Please, don’t say it like that. I was going to tell you later–– I don’t exactly know how to put it into words–– I was just hoping we could spend time together. Right here in the best place possible.
TARA JANE
What do you mean?
EDIE
Golden Hour Plaza––we get the whole place to ourselves and all the time in the world.
ZEKE
What? No––my interview tomorrow––my entire future is riding on this.
EDIE
Don’t worry about it.
ALEXA
Hey, Edie, was it? Why don't we have a talk, okay? Can we have a talk?
EDIE
Sure thing.
Alexa waits, expecting Edie to move. She doesn't.
ALEXA
My brother––he doesn't have his meds with him.
My brother––he doesn't have his meds with him.
Calvin looks up. The others look at him.
ALEXA
If you keep him here, you're putting him in danger. You don't want to do that, right?
If you keep him here, you're putting him in danger. You don't want to do that, right?
Edie pauses.
ALEXA
If you could let him go, I’d be happy to stay here with the others, okay?
DYLAN
(staring at his unsent message)
I would also like to be let go.
If you could let him go, I’d be happy to stay here with the others, okay?
DYLAN
(staring at his unsent message)
I would also like to be let go.
Before Edie can respond, one of the monitors begins to show the carousel spinning rapidly on its own. Everyone turns to it in surprise.
ZEKE
What… What is that? What's happening?
What… What is that? What's happening?
He looks at Edie, but she only stares at the screen. Zeke brings his eyes back to it.
ALEXA
What's going on?
What's going on?
A creak can be heard, coming from outside the room. On the screen, the horses of the carousel begin to fall out of it. They smash against the ground. The rapid spinning stops.
TARA JANE
Edie…?
Edie…?
Tara Jane turns to where Edie was standing. She isn’t there. The group is surprised to see this.
The locked door of the security office falls open.
DYLAN
We’re out of here!
We’re out of here!
Dylan excitedly bolts through the door, the rest follow him.
INT. MALL - NIGHT
Dylan is rushing to the main doors. He’s looking at his phone in his hand, where he is trying to cancel the message he sent to Jake.
Calvin hasn’t let his guard down yet. When Dylan reaches the main door, it doesn’t open.
DYLAN
No…
ZEKE
What? She disappeared. We saw her disappear. The door unlocked!
TARA JANE
I don’t think that meant she was letting us out.
No…
ZEKE
What? She disappeared. We saw her disappear. The door unlocked!
TARA JANE
I don’t think that meant she was letting us out.
Zeke pounds his fists on the door.
ZEKE
No! This can’t––
No! This can’t––
Zeke cuts himself off and runs off toward the other door. Dylan is about to follow him, but stops himself.
Alexa takes Calvin’s shoulder.
ALEXA
Everything is going to be okay. We’ll do whatever we can.
CALVIN
I have–– I have backups. Not much, but…
Everything is going to be okay. We’ll do whatever we can.
CALVIN
I have–– I have backups. Not much, but…
Alexa lets out a sigh of relief, then nods.
ALEXA
Okay. We’ll be okay.
Okay. We’ll be okay.
Tara Jane is standing by herself, talking into the air.
TARA JANE
(calling)
Edie? Edie? Where’d you go?
(calling)
Edie? Edie? Where’d you go?
Tara Jane looks around, but Edie is nowhere to be seen. The Furby chirps.
INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT
Zeke is desperately pulling at the handle of the side door, hitting his palm against it.
ZEKE
Hello?! Hello?!
Hello?! Hello?!
He tries the handle again, but the skin on his hand begins to turn purple. He draws it back and stares at it.
Zeke begins to turn around, but freezes in his tracks.
A shadow of one of the carousel horses can be seen against the wall.
INT. MALL ENTRANCE - NIGHT
Dylan takes a seat by a potted plant as Tara Jane is calling for Edie and Alexa is comforting Calvin. He pulls up his phone once again, going back to the text with Jake.
He begins to type.
"sorry jake, i hate to do this, but i really don’t think we’re gonna make it tonight : ("
He presses send, but it fails. He seems to expect this.
End.
