44, Or What Happened In Park

An original screenplay

Written by Eva Tunik

Русская версия "Случай в парке" http://www.proza.ru/2016/05/30/1414

FADE IN:

1. INT. BEDROOM. NIGHT
 
MARK, an athletic man, is peacefully asleep, sprawled on a king-size bed. Wind pulls at the curtain. Large drops of spring rain fly through the open window onto a white duvet. We hear a loud ringtone; the cell phone lights up. Mark’s hand, tanned and muscular, reaches for the alarm clock. The digital alarm numbers 4:44 are glowing red. Nearby is a small stack of books in English (about oncology, medical technology) and in Chinese (about acupuncture), their spines visible. Mark tries to turn off the alarm with the flat of his palm. On his wrist is a sports watch. The ringtone gets louder and turns into a Chinese tune. Phone close-up: new message on the screen reads “Please confirm your bank account number for $444,000,000 transaction ASAP.” Mark quickly sits up, reads the message and smiles. In one jump, he’s at the open window, looking thoughtfully at the night sky and clouds. Rainfall is fading.
 
2. INT. BATHROOM. NIGHT
 
Mark showers, flexing his muscles and singing a Chinese tune. Jumps out of the shower, dries off with a towel and pulls on a snow-white shirt, black shorts and sneakers.
 
3. INT. STAIRS. NIGHT
 
Mark rushes down the stairs, runs out of the house and slams the door. We see the house number "44" on the door.
 
4. EXT. YARD. NIGHT
 
Automatic sprinkler system turns on. Mark looks at the sports watch on his wrist. Enables chronometer. Screen reads “Marathon”. Mark crosses the front lawn of the house, joined by MARS, his German shepherd.
 
MARK
(winks at Mars)
– Mars, my sincere apologies - I know it’s early, my friend, the Chinese woke me up! I owe you a gold chain for this.
 
Mars yawns and shakes himself, keeping pace with with his master.

5. EXT. PARK. NIGHT
 
The park is empty. Rain drizzles, puddles reflect the few neighborhood lights that are shining.
Dawn is breaking on the skyscrapers at the east side of the city. Mark and Mars run down the path, toward the lake.
On a bench by the fountain sits MARTHA, a young woman. Her dark silhouette is visible. Mark and Mars quickly run past the bench.
 
6. EXT. PARK. SUNRISE
 
There are a few runners on the track along the river and green parrots at the fountain and in the branches of the eucalyptus making a lot of noise. Martha is sitting in the same position, her expression sad, staring at some invisible point. She's over-dressed for the season - in jeans, a light wool sweater and green scarf. Mark and Mars run from the lake toward the fountain. Mark stops at the bench. Mars rushes into the fountain. Water splashes. Parrots, protesting loudly, scatter in all directions.
 
MARK
(sits down on the bench)
– Good morning!
 
Mark immediately jumps up and starts to stretch.
 
Martha is silent.
 
Martha does not respond or move. She still stares at the same invisible point on the horizon. Instead of the parrots, now Mars is enjoying the fountain.
 
MARK (CONT’D)
– Was that you sitting on the bench Earlier? It's usually just the rabbits around here at night.
(stretches his legs)
– I'm Mark

Martha flinches – this is barely perceptible.

MARK (CONT’D)
– This is Mars.

Mars, still in the fountain, barks at the mention of his name.
MARK (CONT’D)
– We live across the street.
(waves his hand vaguely, in no particular direction)
– I've got half a marathon left to go. How'd you like to get some breakfast with me after your rest?
 
Martha remains silent, not moving, and stares into the distance. Mark looks over his shoulder at the dog in the fountain.

MARK MARK (CONT’D)
(looks at his wrist watch)
– Mars, come! Guard!
(nods his head at Martha)
 
Mars jumps out of the fountain, shakes himself off, and lies next to the bench at the woman's feet. Martha doesn't move.
 
MARK (CONT’D)
(looks at Mars)
– And please. Behave like a gentleman!
 
Mark waves his hand and runs off. Then he makes one more loop around the lake and runs back toward the fountain. He looks at his sports watch. The chronometer displays a red heart icon and the words "Heart Rate 44.4". Mark looks again towards the bench in the distance. On the bench is a dog.
 
7. EXT. PARK. MORNING
 
Martha has left the fountain. Mars is sitting in her spot on the bench, observing the parrots. Martha’s green scarf is tied around Mars' neck. Mark runs toward the fountain.
 
MARK
(Upset)
– You really have absolutely no idea how to hold a female's attention, buddy. Or was she a statue in clothes?

Mark takes the scarf and sniffs it. Clover pattern on the scarf.

MARK (CONT’D)
– Let's find out. Track!
 
He holds the scarf to Mars’ nose. Mars sniffs the scarf, jumps off the bench and runs along the river eastward toward the city. Mark runs after him. Mark checks his sports watch again. The chronometer reads "Pace 4:44". Mars takes the track and after a short jog in the park, they find themselves outside a hospital. Mark again gives Mars the scarf to sniff. Mars runs into the hospital entrance, Mark following behind.

8. INT. HOSPITAL ENTRANCE. MORNING
 
An overweight SECURITY GUARD on duty at the entrance to the hospital. Mars, then Mark, passes the Security Guard, who rushes to catch up.
 
SECURITY GUARD
– Hey! You! Stop! No dogs allowed!

Security Guard runs, clutching his heart and choking.
 
9. INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR. MORNING
 
Mark and Mars run down a long hospital corridor. Lights are dimmed. There's a sign that says "Oncology" with an arrow underneath. At the far end of the corridor is a door with a glass window. A very bright light shines behind the door. Mark and Mars run past the arrow. Mars stops at the end, facing the door. Mark looks through the glass window. A sign on the door reads “444”.
 
MARK
(nods to Mars)
– Well, shall we head back home, buddy?
 
Mark and Mars sadly turn around and, already walking at a moderate pace, move back down the corridor. Mark stops at the message board. On the board is an A4 sheet with a photo of Martha smiling and below it text requesting help for the young woman to undergo urgent, life-saving surgery. Below is an account number for donations. Mark pulls out his cell phone, clicks on the message from China and writes the account number for donating to Martha's operation. Then he takes down the sheet of paper and looks at the photo. He smiles. Then he looks at the dog.
 
MARK
(sigh)
– You'll have to wait for that chain.
 
Mark presses the send button. Smiles. Fixes the green scarf to the message board. Mars barks. The screen says "Your message has been sent." Mark is heading back toward the exit. Behind him is Mars. The Security Guard, quiet, watches them.
 
10. INT. HOSPITAL WARD. SUNRISE
 
Martha lies in a hospital bed. Mars is on a blanket, asleep at her feet. From the window, we see Mark in the distance, running along the river. A little behind him, the Security Guard, now in sportswear, is running.
Mark shouts his encouragement; the Security Guard is completely out of breath. A green parrot is sitting on the windowsill.

The End.

FADE OUT:

May, 2016