| "Poisonville" Excerpt |
| Poisonville FADE IN: INT. RENTAL CAR - DAY Driving the desert on a nondescript road. Maybe getting close to a town. Driving is: SHAW THOMPSON. Thirties. Something says he's seen a lot in a short time. On his cellphone: SHAW I'm just getting into town... Ten's fine. What's the address... Okay. Pulling over into a turnout to write it down. Then, getting out to stretch his legs. Sign reads: Piersonville. SHAW (V.O.) I'd heard a lot of people call it Poisonville. Never thought much of it. Down below, a western mining town. Grey, dirty, plain. Dull and dangerous. SHAW (V.O.) Maybe I should have. His expression is blank - but the hairs on his arm are standing straight up. CUT TO EXT. MIDDLE CLASS NEIGHBORHOOD - NIGHT Row of older but nice two-stories, lit cheerily. The restored part of town. Shaw's rental in the driveway. At the front door - Shaw, having knocked. And the door opening to reveal a black MAID. She just stares. SHAW Is Mr. Hollingsworth in? MAID No, he not. SHAW I'm Shaw Thompson. We had an appointment at ten. MAID Well, he gone. That would seem to be it. Until we HEAR a WOMAN: RITA (O.S.) Orie, who is it? Sounds tipsy. The inner door yanks open, wider. MRS. RITA HOLLINGSWORTH. Blonde bombshell. Almost looped. Trouble in green crepe, sure as hell. And that smile. Her eyes run up and down Shaw. A slow smile, then... RITA I'm sorry, my husband isn't in. But the smile lingers. And so does she. SHAW It sounded urgent on the phone. Her eyes haven't moved - nor her mouth. Just her hips. RITA Then I guess you better come in. Ignoring her maid and turning for the stairs. Retrieving her drink from the newel with a practiced hand. RITA Very rude of him though, don't you think? Not looking back as she starts up the stairs. The sway. Shaw appreciating it - then seeing the Maid. Her glare. INT. UPSTAIRS LIBRARY Really an office. Rita settling into highback leather. Indicating with her drink for Shaw to take a seat. RITA Are you in mining, Mr. Shaw? SHAW Thompson. No. RITA Publishing? He shakes no. She sips her drink. The sly Inquisitor. RITA In Piersonville long? SHAW First time. RITA Drugs? Murder for hire? XTC? He looks a bit baffled. She breaks out in laughter. Kind of a cruel laugh, at someone's expense who isn't here. Shaw is not easily ruffled. SHAW You mean to say what exactly? RITA Oh, very good! A facetious toast, and finishing her drink. And now... A PHONE RINGING which she intentionally ignores. That stony smile. And the maid coming in, still with the look for Shaw. MAID Ma'am, for you. Rita sets her empty glass aside and stands - new smile which says she'll be right back after tending to house business. Shaw taking in the room. Messy. News awards. Plaques. Just a glimpse of Rita in the hallway - suddenly excited: RITA What? When? Now?! And slamming the phone down. Disappearing down the hall. Sophisticated clicking heels becoming hard running. Shaw listening to house noises. SHUFFLING. KEYS. A DOOR SLAMMING. He stands. Goes... To the rear window. Looking out and down where-- Rita, in a coat, runs to the rear garage. A car starts and her classic 280SL tears away. Down the alley and gone. Shaw watching. Turns. The Maid, staring. CUT TO INT. HOLLINGSWORTH'S LIBRARY/OFFICE - NEW ANGLE Clock says it's now 10:40. Shaw perusing news clippings, awards. All say: Donald Hollingsworth. Headlines like: "Mayor Accused of Accepting Bribes" and "Dark Side of Piersonville Exposed." Finally: "Poison-ville?" HEAR a SHORT TIRE SQUEAL. DOOR CLOSE. RUSHING FEET. Shaw turns. We HEAR: DOOR SLAM. KEYS. COAT. RUSHING FEET ON THE STAIRS. UP THE HALL. And... Mrs. Rita Hollingsworth in the door. Eyes a little wide. Breath a little fast. That cool composure faltering now. RITA My husband won't be returning, tonight. Thank you for coming. That moment. Shaw meeting it. Then, fixing his gaze on: Her mint green pumps. One toe bathed in red. And Rita seeing him seeing it. The ice coming over her, now. And turning away. Down the hall, her DOOR SLAMMING. Shaw never moving. Just his eyes, to the floor and... The smear of blood she left behind. |