Dumb Angel Read online

  Dumb Angel & Other Screenplays

  Copyright 2017

  Gary Kittle

  Published by Gary Kittle (2017)

  2nd edition (2018)

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to the vendor or your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy.

  Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Dumb Angel & Other Screenplays. Copyright Gary Kittle, 2017

  This eBook is a work of fiction. While reference may be made to actual

  places or events, the names, characters, incidents and locations within are

  from the author’s imagination and are not a resemblance to actual living or

  dead persons, businesses, or events. Any similarity is coincidental.

  Dedication:

  To my son, Arun.

  Cover design and illustration by John Wallett.

  (Email: [email protected])

  Contents

  Dumb Angel (Short Film Version)

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red - Prologue

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode One

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode Two

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode Three

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode Four

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode Five

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Episode Six

  Where the Sky is Tainted Red – Epilogue

  Felicity

  Talk of the Town

  Ray of Hope

  House Sitter

  Three Sheets to the Wind

  Foiled Again

  Dumb Angel (Full Version)

  FREE DOWNLOAD

  About the Author

  Connect with Gary Kittle

  Other Books by Gary Kittle

  DUMB ANGEL (SHORT FILM VERSION)

  SCENE 1) EST. INT. Monday. Modern kitchen. Radio playing.

  DON:

  You know, I still can't believe you're back.

  (BEAT)

  Like nothing's happened.

  DON (WHISPERED):

  Time for work, Mary. But when I get back we can... relax. OK?

  SCENE 2) INT. Throughout the day in the same house.

  Montage of shots showing Mary cleaning, tidying, cooking, etc.

  SCENE 3) INT. Back in the kitchen. Same day, evening.

  Don and Mary are eating dinner. He plays with his food, scowling, taking only occasional mouthfuls.

  DON:

  You could ask me how my day was.

  MARY:

  How was your day?

  Don throws his knife across the table. Mary does not flinch. Don takes a deep breath and stands, wearing a forced smile, pushing back his chair. He walks slowly towards an unmoving Mary.

  DON (SHARPLY):

  Bring dessert. We'll watch a film.

  Don walks through to the living room.

  DON:

  Bring the wine, too.

  DON (TO HIMSELF):

  At least one of us can drink.

  SCENE 4) INT. Living room, subdued lighting. Five minutes later.

  Don is lounging in the middle of the settee, his shirt unbuttoned. Mary enters with a tray containing a desert bowl, a wine bottle and a glass. She puts the tray on the table and sits. From the TV a girl squeals and a man chuckles. Don sits up, alert.

  DON:

  Here we go.

  Don puts his hand on Mary's knee and begins stroking it. On screen there are sounds of moaning and hungry kissing.

  MARY:

  Dessert?

  DON:

  What? Oh... yer.

  Don grabs his bowl from Mary and shovels the contents into his mouth. From the screen comes a slap, and a girl screams.

  UNSEEN FEMALE ACTOR:

  Please... You're hurting me.

  DON (WHISPERED):

  Wow. This guy knows what he wants.

  GRUFF-VOICED UNSEEN MALE ACTOR:

  I thought your type liked it rough?

  There is a sound of clothing being ripped, groaning, more slapping, and louder cries of pain. Don stares wide-eyed.

  UNSEEN FEMALE ACTOR:

  Stop. I don't...

  GRUFF-VOICED UNSEEN MALE ACTOR:

  Shut it! I'll decide what you do and don't like.

  Don is now on the edge of his seat. His stroking has become forceful and rhythmic. He moves his hand towards Mary’s crutch, his face red/sweating. From the TV we hear deep grunting and the sound of choking.

  MARY:

  Shall I pour the wine?

  DON:

  Oh, Mary...

  Don leaps at Mary, dragging her down onto the carpet. Don’s grunting quickly mingles with that of the unseen male actor. No sound is heard from Mary or the unseen female actor. CUT TO: House at night. Solitary upstairs light goes out.

  SCENE 5) INT. Living room. The following evening.

  Don’s car pulls up at the kerb. He sits behind the wheel and stares at a photograph of Mary in his wallet. CUT TO: Don enters the house, tosses his jacket onto the settee and rubs his forehead. Mary is waiting.

  MARY:

  How was your day?

  Don slumps down onto the settee, staring into space.

  DON:

  Don’t ask.

  (HALF-BEAT)

  Do I have to ask for a soddin drink?

  (SIGHING):

  Tumbler. Large whiskey. Ice. Now.

  Mary prepares the drink. Don looks up, staring at the glass in Mary’s outstretched hand. He snatches it from her, spilling some of the contents over his hand.

  DON:

  Give me strength.

  MARY:

  How was your day?

  Don looks up angrily. He stands, bringing his face close to Mary’s.

  DON:

  Office politics. You wouldn’t understand.

  Don brushes past Mary, knocking her off balance. She recovers and turns to face him.

  MARY:

  When do you want to eat?

  DON:

  Twelve years I've been there.

  (BEAT)

  DON:

  Twelve bloody years! The bastards!

  Don takes another gulp of whiskey.

  Do you think that's fair?

  DON (LOUDER):

  Do you?

  MARY:

  I don't understand.

  Don approaches Mary and shoves her down onto the settee, thrusting his right knee forcefully against her solar plexus.

  MARY:

  Do you want to go upstairs?

  Don stares disdainfully at Mary. He downs his drink, climbing off her in search of a refill.

  DON:

  They lied to me, Mary.

  Don refills his glass and undoes his trouser belt.

  DON:

  Apparently they need a family man for their sacred corporate image, and after you left me I no longer tick that box.

  Don saunters over to Mary, drinking; then carefully pulls his belt free.

  MARY:

  Do you want to...?

  Don tightens half the belt around his fist, turning to Mary.

  DON:

  But they haven't beaten me yet.

  SCENE 6) INT. Lunchtime. The next day.

  Don bursts in. He has a white plastic bag in his hand, hidden behind his back.

  DON (SHOUTING):

  Hi, honey. I'm home
!

  Mary, wearing an apron, emerges from the kitchen, smiling.

  MARY:

  You're home early.

  DON:

  That's because...

  Don brings out the bag from behind his back.

  DON:

  I've got you a surprise!

  (IMPATIENTLY):

  Go on, Mary. Take it!

  Mary takes the bag and pulls out a long green dress.

  DON:

  Isn't it beautiful?

  Mary goes to the kitchen and puts the new dress in the washing machine. Don doubles over with laughter.

  DON:

  Oh, Mary. You are priceless.

  MARY:

  I don't...

  DON (LAUGHING):

  Understand! Don't worry, Mary. It doesn't matter.

  Don rushes over to Mary, picks her up in his arms and spins her around him.

  DON:

  Nothing matters but us!

  Don puts her down with a pronounced huff and arches his back, wincing. He starts to leave, then stops and turns.

  DON:

  Have it on when I come back home.

  MARY:

  I understand.

  DON:

  Oh, and Mary...

  (BEAT)

  Just the dress. No need to wear anything else. OK?

  And with a wink he slams himself back out.

  SCENE 7) INT. Don’s bedroom. later that same night.

  Don and Mary lay in bed, the green dress draped over a chair. Don is smoking a cigar with exaggerated pleasure. He exhales, coughing.

  DON:

  There's going to be a merger with the Oxford office.

  Mary turns over to face him, but Don puts his index finger to his lips, and so she remains silent. We see her naked back and legs are covered in red marks.

  DON:

  That's a four hour round trip.

  (BEAT)

  They're trying to squeeze me out.

  Don examines the glowing end of the cigar.

  DON:

  Like I'm some turd.

  Don stares at Mary, who continues to stare back in silence.

  DON:

  So you can blame them for what happens next.

  He takes another drag, making the end of the cigar glow red.

  DON:

  Put your tongue out.

  Mary starts to slither down the bed towards Don’s groin.

  DON:

  No, no - not that.

  (BEAT)

  Just put your tongue out.

  Mary obliges and Don edges the glowing cigar towards her protruding tongue. Mary does not move. The cigar is as close to the tongue as it can be without making contact. Don scrutinizes his advancing hand. There is a sizzling sound and tendrils of smoke swirl around his fingers.

  SCENE 8) INT. Don’s living room. Friday evening.

  Don looks tired. Mary stands by faithfully.

  DON:

  Tumbler. Large whiskey. Ice. Now.

  Don downs the drink in one.

  DON:

  I have my appraisal meeting next Wednesday.

  MARY:

  Do you want to go upstairs?

  Don half-turns away and then swings back, slapping Mary across the face with the back of his hand. Mary crashes over the coffee table. Don lurches after her, grabs her by the hair and drags her back to her feet, spitting and snarling. Mary does not resist.

  DON (SHOUTING):

  Doesn't anything I say register with you?

  Mary continues to stare.

  DON (SHOUTING):

  Say something, damn it!

  MARY:

  When do you want to eat?

  Don drags Mary through the house to the cellar door. He steps through, switches on the light and they both descend, nearly tripping several times.

  DON:

  I think you need to spend some time in your box!

  Don drags Mary over to a large open rectangular crate and throws her down towards it.

  DON (SHOUTING):

  If I have to look at that dumb face one second longer I'll take a blowtorch to it.

  Mary obediently lies inside the crate and Don puts the lid over her, obscuring its surface. He stands aside to reveal the label.

  ‘INTIMATE ANDROID PARTNERS INC (c)’

  Don mounts the cellar stairs, without looking back.

  DON (LOUDLY):

  Deactivate.

  The cellar light is extinguished and the door at the top of the stairs slams shut.

  SCENE 9) INT. Don's kitchen. The next morning (Saturday).

  Don sits at the kitchen table with his head in his hands, sobbing, with a half-empty bottle of scotch in front of him. On the table is a pile of photograph albums. Don drinks straight from the bottle. He leaps up, grabbing something from a drawer, and heads for the stairs.

  SCENE 10) INT. Don’s bedroom. Moments later.

  Don tears open his wife's wardrobe doors. He rips dresses from their hangers and slices them up with a pair of scissors, swearing and cursing under his breath. When his hand falls on the green dress, however, he freezes and drops the scissors. Don lifts out the dress carefully and collapses, weeping, onto the bed, with the green dress clutched to his chest. He curls into a foetal position.

  SCENE 11) INT. Back in the cellar, an hour later.

  The lid lifts off (POV from inside) Mary’s crate, and Don stares down, face impassive. Tears run down his cheeks. He slams down the lid and fetches a hammer and nails; but when he starts to drive in the first nail he stops. Don shakes his head, letting out a long sigh, and drops his tools. He removes the lid once more.

  DON (WHISPERED):

  Reactivate.

  There is a buzzing sound as Don stares down into the crate.

  DON (WHISPERED):

  Get up, Mary. We need to talk.

  SCENE 12) INT. Don's bedroom, minutes later.

  Don and Mary sit side by side on the bed. Ruined clothes, the scissors and discarded hangers litter the floor. Don has the green dress carefully folded in his lap.

  DON:

  I had a hard time while you were... sleeping.

  Don continues to stare down at the dress. Android Mary sits, staring ahead.

  DON:

  I looked at some pictures of you...of us. You know - when we were married.

  (BEAT)

  DON:

  And I missed you. The REAL you, I mean.

  (SCOFFING)

  I know you won't understand.

  ANDROID MARY:

  I don't understand.

  Don’s hands become fists, then relax again.

  DON:

  I thought this would make things better.

  (SADLY):

  But I'm still sinking. And no one’s trying to save me.

  Don’s hands become fists, then relax again. He stares at Android Mary, speaking through gritted teeth.

  DON:

  So advise me, Mary. The way you used to. When we were first married.

  (BEAT)

  Go on. Try telling me what to do. For old time's sake.

  Don’s hands turn into fists, but this time they stay clenched. Don nestles his head against the side of Android Mary's face, like a cat, and closes his eyes.

  DON (SNIGGERING):

  How can I tame you, sweetheart, if you're not wild?

  Don pulls his head away from Android Mary's, then launches a head butt straight into the side of her face, sending her spiralling off the bed onto the floor. Don gets up and meanders round the bed, and stands over Android Mary, who is twitching and convulsing below.

  DON:

  Get up!

  Android Mary continues to twitch, then sits up awkwardly.

  ANDROID MARY:

  My warranty is limited to accidental damage.

  DON (LAUGHING):

  Now that almost sounds like you're telling me to stop.

&nb
sp; ANDROID MARY:

  Do you want to go upstairs?

  DON (LAUGHING):

  We are upstairs, you stupid bitch.

  He winds a fist into her hair.

  DON:

  Remember that film we watched the other night? That's what I want.

  ANDROID MARY (IN FEMALE VOICE FROM PORN FILM):

  'Please. Stop. You're hurting me.'

  Don forces Android Mary’s mouth open and grabs her tongue, pulling it out and sneering at the disfigured tip.

  ANDROID MARY (DISTORTED VOICE):

  My warranty...

  DON (SCOFFING):

  Fuck your warranty. Tell me - order me - to stop. Shout it into my face, you little tease!

  Don pokes his index finger directly into Android Mary's right eye. She pulls away and her eyelid flickers repeatedly.

  ANDROID MARY (SHOUTING):

  Stop! My warranty...

  Standing, Don throws the green dress onto the bed, draws back his arm. His fist jabs through the air but is caught by Android Mary’s lightning fast response.

  ANDROID MARY (SHOUTING):

  No!

  An excited grin spreads across Don’s face.

  ANDROID MARY:

  NO!

  Before he can respond, Android Mary has launched herself at him. She pins his arms to the bed and sits astride him. Android Mary grabs the open scissors and thrusts them towards Don's exposed face.

  DON:

  Deactivate! Deact...!

  Just as the scissors are set to plunge into Don’s eyes Android Mary freezes mid-motion. Don's face is bathed in sweat. His protruding tongue licks the scissor tips and he laughs.

  SCENE 13) INT. Don’s bedroom. Two hours later.

  Android Mary is on the bed, motionless. Her face is not shown immediately, but when it is, one cheek is clearly dented. Don swans into the room, looking pleased with himself. He stares scornfully at the prone figure.

  DON:

  I hope you've learned your lesson, Mary.

  Android Mary springs upright. She stares straight ahead, but her neck is slightly askew. A spasm runs through one arm.

  ANDROID MARY:

  My warranty is limited to accidental damage.

  DON:

  Shut up, Mary.

  Android Mary has turned to stare straight into Don's eyes, her head still sitting lopsided on her shoulders.

  ANDROID MARY (SHOUTING):

  No!

  Don shakes his head in bemusement. Android Mary continues to hold his gaze, defiantly. Don leans into Mary's face.

  DON:

  Well, I'll be...

  ANDROID MARY (SHOUTING):

  NO!