Act One
Scenes 1 to 34 · 366 shotsScene 1INT. DINING ROOM - DUSK17 shots
1. ECU - the tablecloth
White. A field of fine ridges and valleys, stretching out of frame.
2. ECU - the bug
Something moves across it. Too many legs, picking their way over the terrain. Slow. Deliberate. A BUG.
3. MACRO - pull back
We pull back. Linen. A tablecloth.
4. MASTER - the table
A dining room table set for eight. Covered bowls. Wine glasses. Flowers. Too much effort for an ordinary night.
5. ECU TALIA
TALIA stands over it, watching the bug cross her table. She doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t swat.
6. ECU - the glass
She lifts an empty wine glass. Waits. Brings it down over the bug. Clean. Slides a napkin underneath and lifts.
7. WIDE - under glass
A living thing under glass, cupped in both hands.
8. INSERT - the cloth
She checks the spot where it was. Smooths the cloth flat with her palm. Better.
9. MASTER - Evan enters
EVAN enters, taking in his wife’s attire.
EVAN: Why are you dressed so nice?
10. MEDIUM TWO-SHOT
His eyes drift to the table. A work of art.
TALIA: Why are you not?
11. MEDIUM EVAN
She shrugs. The glass stays in her hands.
EVAN: Look at all this.
12. CU TALIA
TALIA: It’s fine.
EVAN: Babe, it’s immaculate.
13. TWO-SHOT - the glass
His eyes stay on the table. She smiles anyway. Then he sees the glass in her hands. Leans in.
EVAN: The hell is that?
14. WIDE - she heads out
She heads out of the room.
TALIA: It’s a bug. I’m taking it outside.
EVAN: I’ve never seen a bug like that.
15. MEDIUM EVAN - the record
Evan drops a record onto the turntable. Music crackles to life.
TALIA: I could use your help.
Evan: Yeah. Two seconds.
16. INSERT - the cuff
He notices a small reddish stain on his cuff. No bigger than a thumbnail. He rubs it. It doesn’t move. He checks his other sleeve. Clean.
17. WIDE - nothing there
He looks around the room for whatever he must have leaned into. Wine. Sauce. Something. There isn’t anything.
Scene 2INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS22 shots
1. WIDE - the kitchen
The counters are crowded with food. TALIA moves between burners, stirring a pot, checking the oven, assembling serving trays.
2. INSERT - the counters
3. MEDIUM - behind her
Evan slips in behind her and takes her hand.
TALIA: Don’t.
4. MEDIUM - the spin
He spins her anyway.
EVAN: One dance.
5. WIDE - the dance
Talia grunts. Her body takes over. They fall into it. Something formal and old. Hands placed exactly. Postures ridiculous and precise. Neither of them smiles.
EVAN: Come on.
6. MEDIUM - under his arm
He turns her under his arm. She comes back on the beat, hip to hip, and they move down the length of the counter like it’s a ballroom and not four feet of tile.
7. TWO-SHOT - they stop
They stop dead. Facing each other. Chins up.
8. WIDE - she drops
Then Talia drops and twerks.
9. MEDIUM EVAN - the sprinkler
Evan doesn’t miss a beat. One hand behind his head. The other arm sweeps out in a slow, stuttering arc. The sprinkler. Full commitment. A move from a middle school gym in 1998 like it never went out of style.
10. TWO-SHOT - formal again
Then, without a word, they both snap back into formal posture. Chins up. Straight faces. They have done this a thousand times.
11. TWO-SHOT - laughing
Evan cracks first. He’s laughing. Then she is. He pulls her in.
12. WIDE - the lights flicker
The lights flicker.
TALIA: Shit. Can you check the breaker?
13. MEDIUM TWO-SHOT
EVAN (defeated): Sure.
14. MEDIUM TALIA - the oven
Talia checks the pot roast in the oven. The room changes color. A pale purple moves across the counters, the cabinets, the back of Talia’s neck. She doesn’t notice. Evan does.
TALIA: And grab the big serving dish from the top cabinet.
15. CU EVAN - the window
He turns to the window over the sink.
16. EVAN POV - out the window
Outside: the yard. The fence. The neighbor’s roof. The sky above it is cloudless. Perfectly ordinary. The purple is gone.
17. CU EVAN
He looks a moment longer. Nothing.
18. WIDE - he turns
He turns.
Talia: Evan?
Evan: Yeah. I’m here.
19. CU TALIA
TALIA: And find those napkins my mom gave us. And can you please—
Evan: Shit.
20. MEDIUM EVAN - the phone
He pretends to get a text. He lifts his phone.
Talia: What?
EVAN: It’s my agent. Probably busting my ass about pages. I should take this.
21. CU TALIA - the sigh
Talia sighs. Not surprised.
TALIA: Can you at least see what time Nick and Alicia are getting here?
22. WIDE - he's already gone
He’s already gone.
EVAN: On it.
TALIA: Don’t disappear.
Scene 3INT. OFFICE - MOMENTS LATER12 shots
1. MEDIUM WIDE
Evan slips in and closes the door. Takes a breath. Silence.
2. INSERT
He opens a drawer, pulls out a vape and takes a hit.
3. CU EVAN
Dropping into the chair by the window, he unlocks his phone.
4. WIDE
Finds NICK in his contacts. His jaw tightens. Just slightly.
5. INSERT - phone
He starts typing: Hey, I know it’s last minute. We’re having this dinner thing—
6. TIGHT CU EVAN
He stops. Looks toward the door.
7. INSERT - phone
8. CU EVAN
EVAN: Val, how do you know if your friend is banging your wife?
9. MEDIUM EVAN
His phone replies with an artificial voice.
VAL (O.S.): Commonly cited signs include increased one-on-one contact, mirroring her interests, and remembering unique details about her.
10. TIGHT CU EVAN
He stares at his phone a beat longer. Deletes the text.
11. INSERT - phone
Evan: Fuck you, Nick.
12. MEDIUM WIDE
He hits the vape again and switches to Candy Crush.
Scene 4INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER12 shots
1. WIDE
Talia is already on her phone when Evan returns.
2. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan: Tal, I’m sorry. Nick had to cancel. Something about their dog.
3. CU TALIA
Talia: You’re kidding.
4. CU EVAN
EVAN: What?
5. CU - the handoff
She hands him her phone. He reads.
6. CU EVAN
Evan (reading): Hey girl, so sorry... I think Cam and I have covid. We were with Stacy and Jack on Tuesday so they might have it too. We should probably play it safe and stay home, right?
7. MEDIUM TWO-SHOT
Beat.
Evan: Tell them no.
8. MEDIUM EVAN
Talia: No?
Evan: Tell them no, we don’t care. They should come anyway.
9. CU TALIA
Talia: They clearly don’t want to come, they’re just shifting responsibility to us.
10. TIGHT CU EVAN
Evan: Fuck that. Call their bluff.
11. CU TALIA
Talia: I don’t want them to be here if they don’t want to be here.
12. TIGHT TWO-SHOT
He looks back at the phone She pulls it from him before he can press send.
Evan: Cam probably has allergies. We don’t know it’s covid.
Evan: (as he types)
Evan: We... don’t... care...
TALIA: Give me my phone back.
Scene 5INT. DINING ROOM - LATER13 shots
1. INSERT - TITLE
TITLE: ALL THERE IS
2. WIDE - the over-set table
An over-set table. Too much food for two people. Talia and Evan eat quietly. Cutlery against plates.
3. MEDIUM TALIA
Finally —
TALIA: Why were they together?
4. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan looks up.
5. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia: Jill, Cam, Jack and Stacy.
Talia: She said they were together.
6. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan shrugs. Chews.
Evan: Board game night? They do that sometimes, right?
7. WIDE - he refills
Evan refills his wine glass. Talia gives him a look.
8. OTS - down the table
Talia: Why weren’t we invited?
Evan: Maybe it was a four player game.
9. WIDE
Talia: Like?
Evan: Monopoly?
Talia: Monopoly is two to eight players.
Evan: How could you possibly know that?
10. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia shrugs. Continues eating. They eat in silence a moment.
EVan: Ok, captain board games, you tell me what they were playing.
11. INSERT - the plate
Talia: What’s wrong with Treble?
Evan: Treble?
Talia: Nick and Alicia’s dog.
Evan: I don’t know. He ate a cat. How do you know Nick’s dog’s name?
12. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan drops his fork on his plate.
Talia (sarcastic): I listen to people. Imagine.
Evan: Look, I said you should invite your friends. I was willing to get covid for them.
13. MEDIUM TALIA
Silence. Evan sighs.
Talia: They don’t have covid.
Evan: Well, that’s not my fault.
Talia: We both know this is a dream come true for you.
Scene 6INT. KITCHEN - LATER16 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Talia packs leftovers into stacks of Tupperware containers. Focused.
2. INSERT
3. MEDIUM EVAN
Across the room, Evan finishes loading the dishwasher. Avoiding eye contact.
4. WIDE TWO-SHOT
He dries his hands and heads for the stairs.
EVAN: I’m heading up.
5. CU EVAN
Evan grunts.
TALIA: It’s trash night.
6. MEDIUM EVAN
He doubles back, removes the overflowing trash bag and heads out the back door.
7. WIDE
Talia waits until he’s gone. Then pulls out her phone.
8. CU TALIA
Her last text with Nick: I’d like to see that.
9. MEDIUM TALIA
She types: Bummed you couldn’t make it. Send.
10. INSERT - PHONE
She adds: Was looking forward to awkwardly staring at you all night. Send.
11. CU TALIA
She waits. An ellipsis appears. She leans in slightly.
12. CU TALIA - tighter
Nick: Make it where?
13. CU TALIA
Her smile disappears. A beat.
14. INSERT
She reads it again. Once more.
15. WIDE
Then very carefully, deliberately, she places the phone face down on the counter. Stands there a moment. Alone in the kitchen.
16. MEDIUM TALIA
Then goes back to the Tupperware.
Scene 7EXT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER11 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Evan drags a large gray trashcan down the driveway.
2. INSERT - low angle
The wheels rattle over the concrete.
3. MEDIUM - reverse
A dog barks in a neighbor’s yard.
4. CU EVAN
Halfway to the curb — the ground SHUDDERS.
5. WIDE - down to the street
He stops.
6. CU EVAN
Another tremor. Stronger.
7. INSERT - his feet
8. WIDE - canted
The trashcan tips onto two wheels.
9. CU EVAN - handle in frame
A third tremor. Violent.
10. MEDIUM - canted
11. WIDE
The can falls over, trash spilling across the driveway.
Scene 8INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS7 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
The dishes rattle.
2. INSERT - open shelves
3. WIDE - TALIA
Talia grabs for a plate—
4. INSERT
CRASH.
5. WIDE
Glass explodes across the floor.
6. MEDIUM TALIA
The cabinets shake.
7. WIDE - toward the back door
TALIA: Evan?
Scene 9EXT. DRIVEWAY - CONTINUOUS10 shots
1. WIDE
Evan looks up and down the street.
2. POV - up the street
Every house is dark.
3. CU EVAN
4. POV - down the street
No doors open.
5. MEDIUM WIDE
No porch lights.
6. POV - the houses opposite
The dog has stopped barking.
7. CU EVAN
The house GROANS behind him.
8. LOW ANGLE - the house
9. TIGHT CU EVAN
Fear finally wins.
10. WIDE
He runs.
Scene 10EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS12 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Evan bursts through the gate.
2. MEDIUM - the back door
At the same moment, the back door flies open. Talia rushes outside.
3. WIDE TWO-SHOT
They meet in the middle of the yard.
4. CU EVAN
Then the shaking stops. Instantly.
5. CU TALIA
Silence. A beat.
6. OTS - favour TALIA
TALIA: What the hell was—
7. LOW INSERT - the lawn
A glow spreads across the grass, the fence, their faces.
8. TIGHT TWO-SHOT
They look up at the same moment.
9. LOW ANGLE TWO-SHOT
A massive circular light hangs directly above the house. Motionless. Impossible.
10. EXTREME WIDE - low
A low HUM fills the air. The light grows brighter.
11. INSERT - hands
Talia reaches for Evan’s hand. Brighter.
12. TWO-SHOT - burn out
Brighter. WHITE.
Scene 11INT. BEDROOM - MORNING5 shots
1. CU TALIA
Talia slowly opens her eyes.
2. TALIA POV - the window
Sunlight pours through the curtains. Too bright.
3. WIDE
She stares at the ceiling, disoriented.
4. CU TALIA - Evan's side
Evan’s side of the bed is empty.
5. MEDIUM TALIA
She sits up and winces.
Scene 12INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER5 shots
1. INSERT
2. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia pops two Aspirin and pours a glass of water.
3. MEDIUM TALIA
4. CU - her reflection
She studies herself in the mirror.
5. ECU TALIA
Something’s off, but she can’t place it.
Scene 13INT. KITCHEN - LATER6 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Talia makes coffee.
2. INSERT
3. MEDIUM TALIA
She tries to open the pantry but the door is stuck.
4. INSERT - the handle
5. MEDIUM WIDE
She tries again.
6. CU TALIA
No use.
Scene 14INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER12 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Talia does yoga. Takes deep breaths.
2. MEDIUM - side on
Performs downward dog.
3. CU TALIA - inverted
Something catches her eye beneath the sofa.
4. LOW INSERT - under sofa
5. MEDIUM TALIA
She kneels and reaches underneath.
6. CU TALIA
Pulls out a small metallic sphere.
Talia: Where’d you come from?
7. ECU - the sphere
It rests comfortably on the tip of her finger. She studies it. Perfectly smooth. No seam. No markings.
8. WIDE TWO-SHOT
The front door opens. Evan walks in.
TALIA: Hey. Where’d you go?
9. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: Went for a jog. Thought I’d grab bagels.
10. OTS - favour TALIA
She clocks his empty hands.
TALIA: And?
11. MEDIUM EVAN
He shrugs.
EVAN: They open at noon. Isn’t that dumb?
12. TIGHT TWO-SHOT
He kisses her forehead and heads toward the kitchen.
TALIA: The pantry door is stuck.
EVAN: I’ll add it to the list.
Scene 15INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS14 shots
1. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan fills a glass at the sink.
EVAN: I’ve had the weirdest headache.
2. CU TALIA
TALIA: Are we not going to talk about last night?
3. CU EVAN
Evan sighs.
EVAN: You’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll try harder with your friends. You put a lot of work into that dinner and—
4. CU TALIA
TALIA: Not the party. The light.
TALIA: Above the house.
5. CU EVAN
Evan pauses. Thinks.
EVAN: I thought that was a dream.
6. CU TALIA
TALIA: Guess we had the same dream.
7. MEDIUM TWO-SHOT
A beat.
TALIA: So you remember it?
8. CU EVAN
EVAN: Pieces. Yeah. But it’s blurry.
9. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia grabs an apple and knife and starts slicing.
EVAN: What time did we go to bed?
TALIA: Exactly. Isn’t that strange?
10. TWO-SHOT
EVAN: We drank a lot of wine.
TALIA: You drank a lot of wine.
EVAN: So what are you saying it—
11. INSERT - the board
The knife slips.
TALIA: Shit.
12. CU TALIA
She sucks her finger.
EVAN: Whoa. You good?
13. INSERT - her hands
She examines the cut.
TALIA: Yeah. It’s fine. Lucky I’ve got nine more.
14. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan grabs a box of bandages and slides it across the counter.
Scene 16INT. GARAGE - LATER9 shots
1. WIDE - establishing
Talia glides between workstations on a rolling stool. The garage door stands open.
2. WIDE - the workbench
A workbench runs along one wall, intricate glass terrariums lining the shelves beside her.
3. MEDIUM TALIA
She focuses on her latest one.
4. INSERT - phone
Her phone sits nearby on speaker.
TALIA: It was a complete waste of my day. We’ll be eating that meal for weeks.
MOM (O.S.): I’m sorry, honey.
5. MEDIUM TALIA
TALIA: I spent three days cooking for eight people. We’ve got enough leftovers to survive another lockdown.
MOM (O.S.): Well, you’ve never done anything halfway.
6. INSERT - phone
The phone lights up. An email preview slides across the screen.
7. ECU - the screen
ASHFORD MUSEUM — Associate Curator. Thank you for your interest. After careful review—
8. CU TALIA
Talia stops moving. She doesn’t open it. She doesn’t need to.
TALIA: Yeah, I wish that were true.
9. INSERT - the terrarium
She puts the phone back down and carefully plants a small sprig of moss into the terrarium.
Scene 17INT. OFFICE - LATER7 shots
1. MEDIUM WIDE - the office
Evan enters, phone in hand.
EVAN: Val. Are UFOs real?
2. CU EVAN - the phone on his palm
VAL (O.S.): There are documented unidentified aerial phenomena, but no confirmed evidence of extraterrestrial—
EVAN: Yeah. Okay.
3. MEDIUM EVAN - vape and guitar
He hits his vape and grabs his guitar.
EVAN: Then what the hell did I see?
4. TIGHT CU EVAN
VAL (O.S.): Many sightings are ultimately attributed to aircraft, atmospheric phenomena, satellites —
EVAN: Okay. Forget it.
5. MEDIUM EVAN - into the chair
He drops into his chair.
6. CU EVAN
EVAN: I need to write.
7. INSERT - the strum
He thumbs a chord on the guitar.
Scene 18INT. GARAGE - MOMENTS LATER33 shots
1. WIDE - the garage
Talia opens her laptop.
2. INSERT - the phone
MOM (O.S.): What does Evan think?
3. CU TALIA
TALIA: You know Evan. He doesn’t care. He was relieved not to socialize.
MOM (O.S.): Have you ever thought about getting him on medication?
4. CLOSE - over the laptop
Talia clicks through her browser. Something isn’t right.
5. MEDIUM TALIA
TALIA: I don’t think they make pills for liking people.
6. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia laughs softly.
MOM (O.S.): We should invent that. We’d make a fortune.
TALIA: We don’t know a single thing about—
7. WIDE - out the garage door
Evan appears in the driveway outside the open garage, laptop in hand.
EVAN: Something’s wrong.
8. CU TALIA
She looks up.
9. INSERT - her screen
She spins her laptop around. Her spreadsheet is filled with the same repeating number: 2115211521152115
TALIA: Mine too. I can’t see my orders.
10. INSERT - his screen
Evan turns his screen toward her. Every page of his manuscript has been replaced with: 2115211521152115
11. MEDIUM EVAN
He slams the laptop shut. Kicks a stack of boxes.
EVAN: Are you fucking kidding me?
12. CU TALIA
TALIA: Ev—
13. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: Every time. Every single time I finally sit down to work—
14. CU TALIA - the nod
Talia nods toward the phone on the workbench.
15. INSERT - the phone, still live
MOM (O.S.): Hiii, Evan.
16. MEDIUM EVAN - deflating
Evan immediately deflates.
EVAN: Hi, Joyce.
17. CLOSE - ending the call
She ends the call.
TALIA: Mom, I’ll call you back.
18. WIDE - out the garage door
Evan paces the driveway.
19. OTS - favour EVAN
TALIA: Will you calm down?
EVAN: I need to write.
20. CU TALIA
He scoffs.
TALIA: Yeah. I need to fill orders.
21. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: I don’t think terrarium demand is gonna boom in the next few hours.
22. TIGHT CU TALIA
TALIA: I don’t think you’re going to finish a book you haven’t written in three years.
23. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: Wow.
24. MEDIUM TALIA - the remote
She picks up a remote and presses it. The garage door begins to close.
TALIA (sarcastic): Wow.
25. WIDE - the door coming down
The door continues downward.
EVAN: Wooooow.
26. LOW INSERT - under the door
EVAN: Really? This is how we end conversations now?
27. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia watches him disappear. The garage door seals shut.
28. WIDE - sealed in
She sits there a moment. Then picks up her phone.
29. INSERT - the phone
She types: Tell me something positive. Send.
30. INSERT - the reply
The ellipsis comes up fast. NICK: Your ass is positively perfect.
31. CU TALIA
She laughs. Once. Out loud, alone in a garage.
32. INSERT - the phone
She types: Glad you noticed.
33. WIDE
She sets the phone down and goes back to work. Lighter.
Scene 19INT. DINING ROOM / GARAGE - INTERCUT19 shots
1. WIDE - dining room
Evan drops a legal pad onto the dining room table and sits.
2. MEDIUM TALIA - garage
At her workbench, Talia carefully tends to a terrarium.
3. CU EVAN - the blank page
Evan stares at the blank page. Nothing.
4. MEDIUM EVAN
He taps the pen against the table, looks around the room, rubs his eyes. Still nothing.
5. INSERT - the sphere
Talia notices the small metallic sphere where she left it.
6. MEDIUM TALIA - the lamp
Using the magnifying lamp mounted to her work bench and a pair of tweezers, she examines it.
7. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan shifts in his chair. Frustrated. The page remains blank.
8. ECU - the sphere turning
Talia rotates the sphere beneath the light. Something catches her eye.
9. MACRO INSERT - the patch
One side is different. A tiny circular patch no larger than a pinhead. Glassy. Not a seam. Not a button. Just different.
10. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan leans back, ready to give up.
11. CU EVAN
Then something catches. His eyes drift back to the page.
12. INSERT - the pen
He writes a sentence. Stops. Reads it.
13. CU EVAN - writing
Then another. Then another.
14. MEDIUM EVAN - the page turn
He flips the page and keeps going.
15. ECU - into the light
Talia angles the sphere toward the lamp. The tiny patch seems impossibly deep, as though the light is disappearing into it.
16. INSERT - the bandage
She notices her bandage already hanging loose. Pulls at it.
17. MEDIUM WIDE EVAN
Evan writes faster now. Another page. Another. Momentum building.
18. CLOSE TALIA
Talia peels off the bandage and pauses.
19. MACRO INSERT - her fingertip
The cut is gone. No scar. No mark. Nothing. Perfect skin.
Scene 20EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. WIDE - the backyard
Talia crosses from the detached garage to the back door of the kitchen.
Scene 21INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER5 shots
1. WIDE - into the kitchen
Talia steps inside. The house is eerily quiet.
2. CU TALIA
TALIA: Ev?
3. LOW INSERT - a step
A step. A crackle.
4. MEDIUM - toward the dining room
Then - music begins in the dining room.
5. CU TALIA
TALIA: Evan?
Scene 22INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS12 shots
1. MEDIUM - the doorway
She peers inside.
2. INSERT - the turntable
A record spins. No Evan.
3. CU TALIA
Water hits her face.
4. WIDE - the far doorway
Evan stands in the opposite doorway holding a water pistol.
5. CU TALIA
TALIA: Are you fucking kidding me?
6. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: (laughing)
EVAN: Why are you all wet?
7. INSERT - the table
Another water gun rests on the table.
8. MEDIUM TALIA
A light spray against her shirt.
TALIA: I came in here to-
9. CU TALIA
Another.
TALIA: Show you something-
10. MEDIUM TALIA
Another.
TALIA: Not babysit an eight year old.
11. TIGHT CU TALIA
Talia stares him down.
Talia: Ok, dork. It’s on.
12. WIDE - the chase begins
She grabs the spare gun. Evan takes off.
Scene 23INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS5 shots
1. WIDE - the hallway
Talia moves carefully, water gun raised.
2. MEDIUM - the closet
Checks the closet.
3. INSERT - inside the closet
Empty.
4. MEDIUM WIDE - the bathroom door
She approaches the bathroom.
5. CU TALIA - listening
Listens. Nothing.
Scene 24INT. HALL BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS23 shots
1. WIDE - the drawn curtain
The shower curtain is drawn. The music still plays downstairs.
2. CU TALIA
Talia smiles.
3. INSERT - the shower handle
Reaches in. Turns on the shower.
4. WIDE - out of the tub
Evan explodes out from behind the curtain.
EVAN (O.S.): AHHH!
5. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia doubles over laughing.
6. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan laughs too.
7. TWO-SHOT
He grabs her and pulls her into his wet clothes.
TALIA: Asshole!
8. TWO-SHOT - the spin
Evan spins her. Dancing. She smiles, despite herself.
9. CU TALIA
TALIA: Are you high?
10. CU EVAN
He stops. Looks at her — clear, present.
11. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: I’m sorry for being a dick.
12. CU TALIA
Talia: And?
13. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan: Disrespecting the art of terrariums.
14. CU TALIA
Talia: Did you take a magical dump or something?
15. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: No. Kind of. Yes. I feel like I was creatively constipated. But Tal - I saw it. I saw the book. The beginning, the end. All of it.
16. CU TALIA
Talia: Evan, that’s amazing.
17. TIGHT CU EVAN
That lands.
EVAN: It felt like my brain finally, I don’t know... remembered something I forgot.
18. TWO-SHOT - the kiss
He kisses her. She softens.
19. MEDIUM CLOSE EVAN
EVAN: I’ve been a lot lately. Thank you for not giving up on me.
20. CU TALIA
TALIA: Thank you for saying that. I’m glad you’re feeling inspired again.
21. CU EVAN
EVAN: You inspire me.
22. TIGHT CU TALIA
An insecure smile.
TALIA: Do I really?
23. TIGHT CU EVAN
Evan stops. Looks sincere.
EVAN: Every single day.
Scene 25INT. BEDROOM - LATER1 shot
1. WIDE - the bedroom
They make love.
Scene 26INT. BEDROOM - LATER8 shots
1. MEDIUM - out of bed
Talia kisses Evan, slips out of bed, pulls on his t-shirt.
2. MEDIUM CLOSE TALIA
Talia: I need a snack.
3. CU EVAN
Evan: I need a defibrillator. Shit.
4. TWO-SHOT
He’s catching his breath, grinning. She laughs softly.
5. MEDIUM TALIA - at the door
Talia (O.S.): I’m gonna grab some of that soufflé from last night. You want?
6. CU EVAN
Evan: Sure.
7. WIDE - into the hallway
She heads into the hallway.
Talia: Be right back.
8. CU EVAN
Evan watches her go.
Scene 27INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS3 shots
1. MEDIUM - the light switch
Talia flips on the lights.
2. WIDE - the kitchen
The room feels darker than it should.
3. MEDIUM - the refrigerator
She opens the refrigerator.
Scene 28INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS5 shots
1. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan rolls onto his back. Content. A beat.
2. CU EVAN - the nightstand
Then his eyes drift to Talia’s phone on the nightstand.
3. TIGHT CU EVAN
He stares at it.
4. MEDIUM - toward the doorway
Looks toward the door. Looks back.
5. INSERT - the phone
Finally — he reaches for it.
Scene 29INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. MEDIUM WIDE - the fridge light
Talia stands in the open refrigerator light.
2. CU TALIA
She holds up her finger. Turns it.
3. MACRO INSERT - her thumb
Runs a thumb over where the cut was.
4. MACRO INSERT - the fingertip
Perfect skin.
Scene 30INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. INSERT - the passcode
Evan tries a password on Talia’s phone.
2. ECU - rejected
Wrong.
3. INSERT - again
Another.
4. CU EVAN
Nothing.
Scene 31INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS13 shots
1. MEDIUM - the refrigerator
Talia shuts the refrigerator with a container in hand.
2. CU TALIA
Then - she hears a faint sound from somewhere in the house. She freezes. Listens.
3. WIDE - the dark house
The house creaks. A floorboard.
4. MEDIUM - the counter
Talia slowly sets the container on the counter.
5. MEDIUM WIDE - toward the living room
She takes a cautious step toward the living room.
6. TIGHT CU TALIA
Another sound. Closer. Behind her.
7. WIDE - the collision
Talia spins — and collides with Evan. She jumps.
8. TIGHT TWO-SHOT
EVAN: Hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s me.
TALIA: Jesus Christ.
9. MEDIUM TALIA
She pushes past him, steadying herself against the counter.
10. TWO-SHOT
A beat.
EVAN: Sorry. I didn’t mean to—
TALIA: No, it’s fine. You know how I am. I just... I startle.
11. MEDIUM CLOSE TALIA
TALIA: I guess we’re done with the bedroom, huh?
12. MEDIUM CLOSE EVAN
He smiles.
13. CU TALIA
TALIA: I’ll grab pants.
Scene 32INT. STAIRCASE - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. WIDE - up the stairs
Talia heads upstairs, eating from the container.
Scene 33INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS17 shots
1. WIDE - she enters
She enters —
2. MEDIUM EVAN - caught
Evan is sitting on the bed, holding her phone. He immediately drops it, worried he’s been caught.
3. CU TALIA
Talia freezes.
4. INSERT - the container
The container slips from her hand.
5. LOW INSERT - the floor
Soufflé splatters across the floor.
6. CU EVAN
EVAN: What?
7. MEDIUM WIDE - backing away
Talia backs away.
8. TIGHT CU TALIA
TALIA: No.
9. MEDIUM CLOSE EVAN
EVAN: What?
10. MEDIUM - the door
She slams the door and locks it.
11. MEDIUM CLOSE EVAN
EVAN: Talia —
12. CU TALIA - against the door
TALIA: There’s someone in the house.
13. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan sits up.
14. TIGHT CU TALIA
TALIA: It was you. I talked to you.
TALIA: Downstairs.
15. MEDIUM WIDE EVAN
Evan jumps from the bed, pulling on pants.
EVAN: I don’t understand.
16. CU TALIA
TALIA: I swear to God there’s someone down there.
17. MEDIUM - the closet
Evan reaches into the closet and pulls out a golf club.
Scene 34INT. KITCHEN / LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER22 shots
1. WIDE - the hallway
Evan moves through the house with the golf club.
2. MEDIUM - the coat closet
Checks the coat closet.
3. MEDIUM - the bathroom
The downstairs bathroom.
4. MEDIUM - the pantry door
The pantry door - still stuck.
5. WIDE - the living room
Talia stands alone in the center of the living room. Arms wrapped around herself. Listening. Watching.
6. WIDE - canted
Every shadow feels wrong.
7. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: Nothing.
8. WIDE - the front windows
He moves toward the front windows. Checks outside. The street. The neighbors. Nothing.
9. CU TALIA
TALIA: I talked to you.
10. CU EVAN
EVAN: I know.
11. CU TALIA
TALIA: You think I’m crazy.
12. CU EVAN
EVAN: I don’t.
13. TIGHT CU TALIA
TALIA: Evan, I saw you.
14. WIDE - he sets it down
He sets down the golf club and walks over.
15. TIGHT TWO-SHOT
She does.
EVAN: Hey. Look at me.
16. TIGHT CU EVAN
EVAN: I believe you.
17. TWO-SHOT
Talia nods. He wraps his arms around her. She tries to calm herself.
18. CU TALIA - over his shoulder
Her eyes drift past him toward the windows. A beat.
19. MEDIUM CLOSE TALIA
TALIA: Why is it already night?
20. WIDE - the window
She steps away from Evan and stands by the window, studying the sky.
21. CU TALIA - through the glass
22. WIDE EXT - the house at night
Act Two A
Scenes 35 to 68 · 288 shotsScene 35EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT1 shot
1. WIDE EXT - the house
The house sits quietly beneath the moonlight.
Scene 36INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT6 shots
1. WIDE - the barricade
The dresser has been shoved in front of the bedroom door.
2. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia sits upright in bed, knees pulled to her chest.
3. CU EVAN - asleep
Evan sleeps beside her.
4. WIDE - hours later
Hours later, she’s still awake.
5. MEDIUM TALIA - pacing
Pacing now.
6. CU EVAN - he never stirs
Evan never stirs.
Scene 37INT. BEDROOM - MORNING4 shots
1. MEDIUM TALIA - asleep
Talia is finally asleep.
2. WIDE - morning light
Morning light spills through the windows.
3. CLOSE - she stirs
She stirs, rolls over —
4. WIDE - the empty side
Evan is gone.
Scene 38INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. MEDIUM - she checks
Talia cautiously checks the room.
2. WIDE - empty
Empty.
Scene 39INT. DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER9 shots
1. WIDE - the legal pad
A legal pad sits at the end of the table.
2. MEDIUM TALIA
Talia picks it up.
3. ECU - the page
2115211521152115.
4. INSERT - the next page
Over and over.
5. HIGH INSERT - page after page
Page after page.
6. MEDIUM TALIA - the window
She looks out the front window.
7. TALIA POV - the driveway
A figure stands at the end of the driveway.
8. TALIA POV - closer
Evan. Facing the road. Perfectly still.
9. CU TALIA - through the glass
Scene 40EXT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER16 shots
1. WIDE - she approaches
Evan doesn’t move as Talia approaches, a jacket over her pajamas.
2. MEDIUM TALIA
TALIA: Evan?
3. WIDE - no response
Nothing.
4. CU TALIA
TALIA: Ev?
5. INSERT - her hand
She reaches him and places a hand on his shoulder.
6. TWO-SHOT - he turns
He turns immediately.
7. CU EVAN
EVAN: Hey babe.
8. CU TALIA
TALIA: What are you doing?
9. MEDIUM EVAN
EVAN: I took a jog. Thought I’d grab bagels.
10. TIGHT CU TALIA - studying him
Talia studies him.
11. MEDIUM CLOSE EVAN
EVAN: They open at noon. Isn’t that dumb?
12. TIGHT CU TALIA
The words hit her. She’s heard them before.
13. MEDIUM EVAN - he heads in
Evan smiles and heads toward the house.
14. WIDE - toward the house
EVAN: Come on. Let’s head in.
15. MEDIUM TALIA - watching
Talia watches him go.
16. WIDE - she follows
Then follows, determined.
Scene 41INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS23 shots
1. WIDE - she storms through
Talia storms past Evan and into the dining room. She returns a moment later with the notepad.
2. MEDIUM TALIA - she shoves it
She shoves it at him.
Talia: Did you write this?
3. CU EVAN
Evan: What?
4. CU TALIA
TALIA: The numbers.
5. MEDIUM EVAN
Evan: Why would I write a bunch of numbers? That doesn’t make any sense.
6. CU TALIA
Talia: It’s your handwriting.
7. INSERT - he flips the pages
He flips through the pages.
EVAN: What happened to my notes?
8. OTS TALIA
TALIA: That’s what I’m saying, Ev. This is what you wrote.
9. MEDIUM EVAN - angry
Evan: I wrote a whole fucking book outline. Not a bunch of math. Where is it?
Talia: Don’t look at me.
10. MEDIUM - he tosses the pad
Evan tosses the pad onto the table.
Evan: Jesus Christ. What is wrong with my life?
11. CU TALIA - she rolls her eyes
Talia rolls her eyes.
Talia: I think we have bigger things going on right now.
12. MEDIUM EVAN - softening
Evan: I know you’re stressed. I know something weird happened yesterday.
Talia: You mean all six hours of yesterday?
13. CU EVAN - the smile fades
His smile fades.
Evan (a faint smile): I think we lost track of time in bed.
Talia: We didn’t.
Evan: Fine. It’s weird. What do you want me to say?
14. CU TALIA - she says it
Talia: I think we were abducted.
15. TWO-SHOT - silence
Silence.
Evan: By the light?
Talia: By something.
16. WIDE - he paces
Evan shakes his head. Paces.
Evan: Or maybe a satellite blinked and fried our brains somehow.
17. OTS - the jog
Talia: How far did you jog?
Evan: I don’t know. Park ave and back.
Talia: You’re not sweating.
Evan: It’s forty degrees.
18. MEDIUM TALIA - the driveway
Talia: You were standing in the driveway.
Evan: It’s our driveway.
Talia: Evan, you’re not listening. You were just standing there. Like someone... paused you.
19. CU EVAN - he stares
Evan stares at her.
20. CU TALIA - the same as yesterday
Talia: And you told me the same thing yesterday. The jog. Bagels. Exactly the same.
EVAN: Maybe because the same thing happened.
21. CU TALIA - what if you're not
A beat.
TALIA: You’re not acting like yourself.
TALIA: What if you’re not?
22. MEDIUM EVAN - a small laugh
Evan gives a small laugh.
Evan: So this other Evan you saw last night. That was the real me?
TALIA: I didn’t say that.
EVAN: And they replaced me to what? Not go get bagels?
23. WIDE - she storms off
She storms off.
Talia: I can’t do this.
EVAN: What? I can’t ask questions too?
Scene 42INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS8 shots
1. WIDE - back to the wall
Talia enters the dining room. Puts her back to the wall and grabs two fistfuls of her own hair and pulls.
2. CU - tears build
Tears build in her eyes.
3. TIGHT CU - her mouth opens
Her mouth opens wide. Her whole body commits to it. Neck, shoulders, everything a scream needs.
4. WIDE - no sound
No sound. Just breath. A long ragged rush of air emptied out of her until there’s nothing left.
5. CU - she holds there
She holds there. Shaking. Then it passes.
6. MEDIUM - she straightens
She straightens. Wipes her face with the back of her hand. Tucks her hair behind her ear.
7. INSERT - she smooths the cloth
Smooths the cloth flat with her palm. Better.
8. WIDE - she goes
She goes.
Scene 43EXT. BACKYARD - LATER2 shots
1. WIDE - the backyard
The backyard sits still.
2. MEDIUM - Evan crosses the yard
Evan crosses the yard holding a mirrorless camera with a zoom lens mounted.
Scene 44INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS9 shots
1. MEDIUM TALIA - at the window
Talia stands at the window, arms crossed, watching Evan monitor the sky through his zoom lens.
2. CU TALIA - studying him
Studying him. Looking for something.
3. INSERT - she texts Nick
She pulls out her phone and texts Nick: Hey. Have you noticed anything strange with Evan?
4. INSERT - ellipses
A beat. Ellipses.
5. INSERT - Nick replies
Nick replies: No. Why?
6. INSERT - then
Another beat. Then: You think he knows?
7. CU TALIA - something harder
Her eyes turn back to Evan. She watches him differently now. Something harder moving in behind the concern.
8. TALIA POV - Evan in the yard
Outside, Evan adjusts the focal length, studying the sky and the clouds.
9. MEDIUM TALIA - the staircase
She watches him a moment longer. Then her eyes drift toward the staircase.
Scene 45EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS8 shots
1. MEDIUM EVAN - the viewfinder
Evan takes a step back, eyes still fixed to the viewfinder.
2. EVAN POV - a faint blinking
He sees a faint blinking in the clouds.
3. MEDIUM - he lowers the camera
Lowers the camera. Nothing.
4. MEDIUM - he raises it again
Raises the camera again.
5. INSERT - the screen goes black
The screen goes black. He stops. The battery is dead.
Evan: Shit.
6. MEDIUM - he steps forward
He steps forward. The camera turns back on.
7. MEDIUM - back, and dead
Back. Dead. Evan frowns.
8. HIGH ANGLE - the ground
He looks at the ground beneath him.
Scene 46INT. OFFICE - CONTINUOUS3 shots
1. MEDIUM - Talia slips inside
Talia slips inside.
2. MEDIUM - she props the iPad
She opens her iPad, switches to camera mode, and props it on a shelf behind a row of books and framed photos.
3. CU - the lens peeks through
The lens peeks through, watching the room.
Scene 47EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER5 shots
1. MEDIUM - the leaf blower
Evan returns carrying a leaf blower. He fires it up and walks toward the same patch of grass.
2. CU - it dies
The blower dies.
3. MEDIUM - forward, it starts
He steps forward. The blower starts again.
4. MEDIUM - back, dead
He steps back. Dead.
5. CU EVAN
EVAN: Huh.
Scene 48EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER6 shots
1. WIDE - the weed trimmer
Evan stands in the yard waving a weed trimmer through the air like he’s trying to get a radio signal. A lawnmower and leaf blower lie abandoned nearby.
2. MEDIUM EVAN - he looks up
A door closes. He looks up.
3. WIDE - Talia crosses the yard
Talia has stepped out of the house and is crossing toward the detached garage.
4. MEDIUM TALIA - cautious
She watches him cautiously as she passes.
5. MEDIUM EVAN - he lowers it
Evan lowers the weed trimmer. Suddenly aware of how ridiculous he must look.
6. WIDE - into the garage
Talia disappears into the garage.
Scene 49INT. OFFICE - LATER11 shots
1. MEDIUM - he drops into the chair
Evan drops into his chair. He takes out his phone.
2. CU EVAN - the question
Evan: Val, what are signs someone is crazy?
VAL (O.S.): Common signs include difficulty distinguishing perception from reality, inconsistent memory, and increased sensitivity to patterns or meaning that others-
3. INSERT - the notepad
He looks at the notepad on his desk: 211521152115.
4. CU EVAN - abducted
Evan: What about signs you’ve been abducted?
VAL: As of 2025, there’s no reliable scientific evidence that people are-
5. MEDIUM EVAN - the number
EVAN: Is there any significance to the number 11521152115?
Val: There’s no inherent or widely recognized meaning to that number.
6. INSERT - every fourth digit
He looks at the page more closely. Draws a line between every fourth digit.
7. CU EVAN - 2115
A beat.
Evan: 2115. What about the number 2115.
Val: I can’t answer that directly. Can I help you with something else?
8. MEDIUM EVAN - why not
Evan: Why? Why can’t you?
Val: I don’t have permission to answer that.
9. CU EVAN - go, engage
Evan: I’m giving you permission. Go. Engage.
Val: That request falls outside my current permissions.
10. MEDIUM EVAN - reset
EVAN: Ok. How do I reset permissions?
VAL (O.S.): Resetting permissions requires senior authorization.
11. WIDE - he throws the phone
Evan tosses his phone at the floor.
Scene 50INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS12 shots
1. WIDE - the workbench
Talia sits at her workbench, watching a live feed of Evan’s office on her phone. Her mom is on speaker.
2. INSERT - the live feed
Evan spins in his chair.
MOM (O.S.): So what’s he doing?
TALIA: What he’d call writing.
3. MEDIUM - she takes it down
Talia pulls a terrarium down from the shelf.
4. INSERT - the terrarium
It’s brown. Everything inside it, dead.
5. CU TALIA
MOM (O.S.): Tally, are you sure this is healthy?
TALIA: He was standing in the driveway like a statue.
6. MACRO - the moss
Talia opens the glass. Touches the moss. It comes apart under her finger.
7. MEDIUM TALIA
Her mom laughs at her own joke.
MOM (O.S.): Maybe he was writing.
TALIA: At the edge of the driveway?
8. CU TALIA - okay, Mom
MOM (O.S.): Can’t choose when the muse hits us, can we?
TALIA: Yeah. Okay, Mom.
9. INSERT - the feed stutters
Talia picks the phone back up. The feed stutters. Freezes. Then fills with digital noise.
10. MEDIUM TALIA - she lowers it
Talia frowns and lowers the phone.
11. INSERT - the sphere
The metallic sphere sits on the workbench exactly where she left it. Silent. Motionless.
12. CU TALIA - orb to screen
She looks from the orb to the frozen screen.
Scene 51INT. ATTIC - LATER5 shots
1. WIDE - the attic
A cramped upper level filled with boxes, suitcases and forgotten furniture. A bare bulb flicks on.
2. MEDIUM - he climbs up
Evan climbs the stairs, laptop under one arm, phone in hand.
3. MEDIUM - he scans the attic
Evan scans the attic. Old picture frames. Storage bins.
4. INSERT - the router
A router mounted to the far wall.
5. CU EVAN - he smiles
He smiles.
EVAN: I’ve got your senior authorization.
Scene 52INT. GARAGE - CONTINUOUS16 shots
1. MEDIUM TALIA - the feed
Talia watches the live feed.
2. INSERT - toward the orb
Slowly — experimentally — she moves the phone toward the metal orb. The feed worsens.
3. INSERT - the image fractures
Closer. The image fractures. Static. Digital artifacts.
4. INSERT - closer still
Closer still.
5. SCREEN - the house, room by room
Then - the view of the office changes to one of the kitchen. A different angle. The bedroom. The hallway. The attic.
6. CU TALIA
TALIA: What the hell?
MOM (O.S.): What?
TALIA: I don’t know.
7. SCREEN - the water gun fight
The images continue flickering. The water gun fight.
8. SCREEN - the dinner party, yoga
The failed dinner party. Talia doing yoga.
9. SCREEN - a rapid stream
A rapid stream of moments. Days. Weeks. Maybe more.
10. SCREEN - the shape
Then - A tall slender shape standing motionless in the kitchen. Gone before she can focus on it.
11. WIDE - she stumbles back
Talia stands, stumbling back.
MOM (O.S.): Tally?
12. MEDIUM - she moves the angle
Talia tries moving the angle of her phone. The images of the house keep flashing.
13. SCREEN - empty rooms
Empty rooms. The dining room.
14. SCREEN - the two of them
Evan playing guitar. Talia making dinner.
15. INSERT - no signal
The feed cuts to black. NO SIGNAL.
TALIA: Mom, can you just—
16. CU TALIA
TALIA: Shit!
Scene 53INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER15 shots
1. MEDIUM - over the coffee table
Evan stands over the coffee table, phone in hand. His laptop sits open beside him.
EVAN: Okay, Val. Try resetting permissions now.
VAL (O.S.): I don’t have permission to perform that action.
2. CU EVAN
EVAN: You little shit.
3. WIDE - Talia enters
Talia enters, still holding her phone.
TALIA: What did you do?
4. MEDIUM EVAN - he smiles
He smiles.
EVAN: I reset the router.
TALIA: Why?
5. INSERT - the novel is back
Evan turns the laptop toward her. A word document. Paragraphs. Pages. His novel is back.
6. MEDIUM EVAN - an error code
EVAN: Troubleshooting. Looks like 2115 was some kind of error code.
7. MEDIUM TALIA - barely glances
Talia barely glances at it.
EVAN: Check yours. Your orders should be back.
8. CU TALIA - corners, shelves
She nods. Her eyes drift around the room. Corners. Shelves. Light fixtures.
9. TWO-SHOT - you good
EVAN: You good?
TALIA: Fine.
10. MEDIUM EVAN - can I see it
EVAN: Can I see your phone?
TALIA: Why?
EVAN: My AI’s acting weird.
11. CU TALIA - your girlfriend
TALIA: Aww. Your girlfriend’s sick?
EVAN: Can I see it? try something?
TALIA: No.
12. TWO-SHOT - because it's mine
EVAN: No, I can’t?
TALIA: No, you can’t use my phone.
EVAN: Why?
TALIA: Because it’s my phone.
13. CU EVAN - he studies her
A beat. Evan studies her. Something’s off. But he lets it go.
14. MEDIUM - he heads upstairs
He heads upstairs.
EVAN: I’m gonna grab a shower.
15. WIDE - she looks for cameras
Talia waits until he’s gone. Then slowly looks around the room for cameras.
Scene 54INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER4 shots
1. MEDIUM - he turns on the shower
Evan turns on the shower.
2. CU EVAN - the mirror
He studies himself in the mirror a moment. Debating.
3. INSERT - he dials Nick
Takes out his phone. Dials Nick.
4. CU EVAN - voicemail
The phone rings. Voicemail. Evan sighs.
Scene 55INT. BATHROOM - CONTINUOUS9 shots
1. WIDE - under the water
Evan stands under the water.
2. CU EVAN - why can't I use it
EVAN: If you’re not hiding something, why can’t I use it?
3. MEDIUM - he waits
He waits. Lets her answer.
4. CU EVAN - unlock it
EVAN: Then show me. Unlock it.
5. MEDIUM - not good enough
She answers. It isn’t good enough.
6. CU EVAN - you think I'm an idiot
EVAN: You think I’m an idiot, don’t you.
7. MEDIUM - he cuts her off
A small pause. He cuts her off.
8. CU EVAN - something you don't want me to see
EVAN: Because clearly there’s something you don’t want me to see.
9. WIDE - the water runs
He stands there with it. Water runs.
Scene 56EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT1 shot
1. WIDE EXT - the house
The house sits eerily under moonlight.
Scene 57INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT13 shots
1. EXT THRU WINDOW - observed
2. WIDE - leftovers and dinosaurs
Evan lounges on the sofa, eating leftovers from a Tupperware container while watching a dinosaur documentary.
3. MEDIUM TALIA - the far end
Talia sits at the opposite end of the couch. Watching him.
4. SCREEN - the documentary
NARRATOR (O.S.): For decades, scientists believed they understood this species.
NARRATOR (O.S.): Then new evidence emerged.
NARRATOR (O.S.): Evidence that challenged everything.
5. SCREEN - the skeleton rotates
On screen, a dinosaur skeleton slowly rotates.
6. TWO-SHOT - how much they missed
NARRATOR (O.S.): The question wasn’t whether they were wrong. The question was how much they had missed.
7. CU TALIA - fixed on him
Talia’s eyes remain fixed on Evan. He doesn’t notice.
8. MEDIUM TALIA - the question
TALIA: Hey, what was the name of that place we went to for our fifth anniversary?
9. CU EVAN - he doesn't look away
He doesn’t look away from the TV.
EVAN: Why?
10. CU TALIA - my mom said something
A beat.
TALIA: My mom said something earlier. Made me think of it.
11. MEDIUM EVAN - Harriman Lodge
EVAN: I don’t know. Something Lodge. Harriman Lodge.
12. CU TALIA - right...
TALIA: Right...
13. WIDE - he watches, she watches
He’s still watching the dinosaurs. She’s still watching him.
Scene 58INT. ATTIC - MOMENTS LATER9 shots
1. WIDE - the light clicks on
The light clicks on. Talia walks up the stairs.
2. MEDIUM - the shoebox
She searches through a stack of boxes until she finds a small shoebox of photographs.
3. MEDIUM - she turns to leave
Satisfied, she turns to leave. Then pauses.
4. TALIA POV - a door
A door. Partially hidden behind a row of storage bins.
5. CU TALIA - she frowns
Talia frowns. She doesn’t remember a door being up here.
6. MEDIUM - she drags the boxes aside
She sets down the shoebox and drags a box aside. Then another. The door emerges.
7. INSERT - the knob
She tries the knob. Locked.
8. CU - absence
From somewhere beyond it — nothing. Not silence. Absence.
9. WIDE - the attic feels smaller
Talia stares at it. The attic suddenly feels smaller.
Scene 59INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT12 shots
1. EXT THRU WINDOW - observed
2. MEDIUM EVAN - still captivated
Evan is still captivated by the documentary.
NARRATOR (O.S.): ...the means we take to study these extraordinary creatures. In order to find answers, we do as our ancestors did. We dig.
3. WIDE - Talia enters
Talia enters carrying the shoebox. Evan pauses the TV.
EVAN: Hey. Where’d you go?
4. CU TALIA - there's a door
TALIA: There’s a door in the attic.
5. CU EVAN - a door?
EVAN: A door?
TALIA: Yes.
6. CU EVAN - in the attic?
EVAN: In the attic?
TALIA: What part of this are you not understanding?
7. MEDIUM EVAN - I don't remember
EVAN: I just don’t remember there being a door.
TALIA: Because there wasn’t.
8. TWO-SHOT - what's in it
EVAN: I mean, apparently there was.
EVAN: What’s in it?
9. CU TALIA - it's locked
TALIA: It’s locked. You don’t have, like... a key or something?
10. CU EVAN - let me check my keys
EVAN: Let me just check my keys for things I never knew existed.
11. MEDIUM - she heads out
Talia rolls her eyes and heads out. Evan watches her go.
12. CU EVAN - toward the ceiling
A beat. His eyes drift back to the paused documentary. Then toward the ceiling. The attic above them.
Scene 60INT. DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER17 shots
1. WIDE - she dumps the shoebox
Talia dumps the shoebox onto the table.
2. MEDIUM - she's building
She isn’t sorting. She’s building.
3. INSERT - the notepad and pen
A notepad beside her. A pen.
4. INSERT - photo, look, write
Photo. Look. Write.
5. INSERT - the list grows
CHRISTMAS. BIRTHDAY. THE WEDDING.
6. MEDIUM TALIA - working fast
She works fast. It’s going well.
7. CU TALIA - then it isn't
Then it isn’t.
8. INSERT - two photos side by side
She holds two photos side by side. Same jacket. Same haircut. Different seasons.
9. MEDIUM - she writes nothing
She sets them down without writing anything.
10. HIGH - she turns the box over
She goes back to the box. Digs to the bottom. Turns it over.
11. CU TALIA - no lodge, no lake
No lodge. No lake. No porch.
12. INSERT - NO HARRIMAN
She picks up the pen. NO HARRIMAN.
13. INSERT - the museum tour
She pauses on a photo of herself a few years younger, leading a museum tour. Animated. Confident.
14. ECU - the badge
A museum badge clipped to her jacket. Her name under the word CURATOR.
15. CU TALIA - she smiles
She runs a finger across her smile. Smiles softly herself.
16. INSERT - a night out with Evan
She picks up another photo. A night out with Evan. Her smile looks fake. Forced.
17. CU TALIA - she sets it aside
She studies it a moment longer. Then sets it aside.
Scene 61EXT. BACKYARD - NIGHT32 shots
1. EXT - watched from the treeline
2. WIDE - Talia on the back steps
Talia sits on the back steps, staring up at the stars.
3. MEDIUM TALIA - making sure
She glances toward the house. The neighbors. The fence. Makes sure she’s alone.
4. CU TALIA - the vape pen
Then pulls a vape pen from her pocket and takes a hit.
5. INSERT - the phone vibrates
Her phone vibrates. She takes it out and opens a text.
6. INSERT - hey beautiful
NICK: Hey beautiful. What are you up to?
7. CU TALIA - she thinks
She sighs. Thinks. Replies.
8. INSERT - I can't do this anymore
TALIA: I can’t do this anymore.
9. INSERT - what happened
Pause. Ellipsis. Reply. NICK: What happened?
10. INSERT - tired of hiding
She types. TALIA: Nothing. I’m just tired of hiding. I’m sorry.
11. CU TALIA - a decision
A moment. A decision. Send.
12. INSERT - don't text me anymore
TALIA: Don’t text me anymore.
13. INSERT - she blocks his number
She switches to settings. Blocks his number.
14. WIDE - the garage door opens
The garage door opens. Evan emerges wearing work gloves and carrying a shovel.
15. MEDIUM TALIA - what are you doing
TALIA: What are you doing?
16. MEDIUM EVAN - caught
He jumps. Caught.
EVAN: Nothing.
17. CU EVAN - science
A beat.
EVAN: Science.
18. WIDE - he heads into the yard
He heads into the yard.
19. WIDE - he plants the shovel
Talia watches as he reaches the dead spot in the grass. Plants the shovel. And starts digging.
20. MEDIUM TALIA - she goes inside
She stands and heads back inside.
21. MEDIUM EVAN - digging
Evan digs. Dirt piles beside the hole. Sweat runs down his face.
22. HIGH - the hole grows deeper
The hole grows deeper.
23. CU EVAN - THUNK
THUNK. He stops. Looks down. Brushes dirt aside.
24. INSERT - a black metal post
A black metal post. Smooth as glass. No markings. No seams.
25. INSERT - it continues downward
Evan clears more dirt. The post continues downward.
26. MEDIUM - still going
He digs again. More black metal. Still going.
27. MEDIUM EVAN - at the edge
He kneels at the edge of the hole. Stares at it. Covered in sweat. Breathing hard.
28. CU EVAN - no idea what it is
No idea what he’s looking at.
EVAN: Well...
29. CU EVAN - that solved nothing
A beat.
EVAN: That solved nothing.
30. WIDE - he stays kneeling
He stays kneeling at the edge of the hole, looking at the post.
31. INSERT - he thinks better of it
He extends a hand to touch it. Then - thinks better of it.
32. WIDE - he stands and goes in
He stands. Brushes the dirt from his knees, and goes inside.
Scene 62INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT1 shot
1. WIDE - the house sits quietly
The house sits quietly.
Scene 63INT. KITCHEN - NIGHT1 shot
1. WIDE - pale purple on the counters
A pale purple moves across the counters, then it’s gone.
Scene 64INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT3 shots
1. WIDE - she sits awake
Talia sits awake in bed. Evan sleeps beside her.
2. CU TALIA - uneasy
She watches him. Uneasy.
3. MEDIUM - she slips out of bed
Finally, she slips out of bed.
Scene 65INT. ATTIC - MOMENTS LATER5 shots
1. WIDE - the light clicks on
The light clicks on.
2. MEDIUM - the golf club
Talia climbs the stairs carrying the golf club.
3. MEDIUM - locked
She approaches the strange door. Tries the knob. Locked.
4. CU TALIA - she listens
She places a hand against it. Listens. Nothing.
5. WIDE - she turns away
After a moment, she turns away.
Scene 66INT. DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER7 shots
1. WIDE - only moonlight
The room is lit only by moonlight.
2. HIGH - photographs spread
Talia sits at the table, old photographs spread before her.
3. CU TALIA - thinking
She studies them. Thinking. A sigh.
4. CU TALIA - a faint sound
Then — a faint sound.
5. MEDIUM TALIA - she looks up
She looks up.
6. TALIA POV - three silhouettes
Through the dining room and out the kitchen window, three tall silhouettes stand in the backyard.
7. WIDE - motionless, watching
Motionless. Watching.
Scene 67INT. BEDROOM - MORNING6 shots
1. MEDIUM - she bolts upright
Talia bolts upright. Breathing hard.
2. WIDE - sunlight floods the room
Sunlight floods the room.
3. CU TALIA - she takes a moment
She takes a moment. Rubs her eyes. Turns.
4. WIDE - his side is empty
Evan’s side of the bed is empty.
5. MEDIUM - she crosses to the window
She crosses to the window.
6. TALIA POV - the end of the driveway
Outside. At the end of the driveway. Evan. Standing perfectly still. Facing the road.
Scene 68INT. LIVING ROOM - LATER7 shots
1. WIDE - the front door opens
The front door opens. Evan steps inside.
2. MEDIUM EVAN - hey, Tal
EVAN: Hey. Tal?
3. MEDIUM - he closes the door
He closes the door behind him.
EVAN: I’m back. Sorry. Went for a—
4. WHACK - the club connects
WHACK. The golf club connects.
5. WIDE - he hits the ground
Evan hits the ground, hard. Silence.
6. MEDIUM TALIA - standing over him
Talia stands over him. Breathing hard. The golf club hangs in her hands.
7. CU TALIA - waiting
She stares at Evan. Waiting. Terrified of what happens next.
Act Two B
Scenes 69 to 103 · 230 shotsScene 69INT. LIVING ROOM - LATEr21 shots
1. EVAN POV - fuzzy
Fuzzy. Eyes slowly open. Disoriented.
2. INSERT - zip-tied to the sofa leg
Evan’s hands are zip-tied behind his back to the leg of the sofa.
3. LOW ANGLE - Talia stands over him
Talia stands over him, holding the photo box.
4. MEDIUM EVAN - why am I tied to the floor
He struggles a moment.
EVAN: Talia?
EVAN: Why am I tied to the floor?
5. MEDIUM TALIA - heavy as shit
Talia: I tried dragging you to a chair, but you’re heavy as shit.
6. MCU EVAN - I'm the real Evan
EVAN: What is this?
Talia: Tell me where the real Evan is.
Evan: I’m the real Evan.
Talia: Bullshit.
Evan: Tal-
7. INSERT - a photo from the box
She removes a photo from the box. Looks at it.
8. MEDIUM TALIA - Niagara Falls
TALIA: Remember our trip to Niagara Falls? The drive? The shitty motel?
Evan: Of course I remember.
Talia: Bullshit. There’s no evidence we’ve ever been to Niagara Falls. I made it up.
9. MEDIUM - she throws the photos
She throws the photo at him. Evan drops his head. Sighs. She tosses more photos at him.
10. MEDIUM TALIA - tell me anything
Talia: Tell me something, anything about any of these photos.
11. HIGH - photos across the floor
He looks at the pictures across the floor.
12. MCU EVAN - everything is fuzzy
He looks back up to her.
Evan: Fine. I don’t remember. I don’t remember a lot of things. Ever since that night, everything is fuzzy.
EVAN: But neither do you.
13. CU TALIA - I remember just fine
Talia: I remember just fine.
14. MEDIUM EVAN - the quiz
She pauses. Talia looks confused.
Evan: Do you? What’s our wifi password?
EVAN: Name one of our neighbors. Just one.
EVAN: See that? It’s at the tip of your tongue but you can’t get it out.
15. MEDIUM TALIA - she paces
She shakes her head. Paces.
16. MCU EVAN - what month is it
No response.
Evan: Here’s a fun one. What month is it?
EVAN: How did we meet?
17. MEDIUM TALIA - the pharaoh exhibit
She turns back, confidently.
Talia: The pharaoh exhibit. At the museum.
18. MCU EVAN - what was I wearing
She pauses again.
EVAN: When? What did I say? What was I wearing?
EVAN: Broad strokes. Low details. Like we watched our past on old VHS tapes.
19. CU TALIA - eyes watering
She shakes her head again, eyes watering.
20. TWO-SHOT - it's both of us
A beat.
Evan: It’s not me, Tal. It’s both of us.
EVAN: What if... what if they’re not our memories.
TALIA: How could they not be?
21. MCU EVAN - maybe we replaced them
He swallows.
EVAN: Maybe we’re not the people who live here.
EVAN: Maybe we replaced them.
Scene 70EXT. HOME - LATER2 shots
1. WIDE EXT - the house sits quiet
The house sits quiet.
2. the trees move
A subtle breeze blows through the trees.
Scene 71INT. LIVING ROOM - DAY23 shots
1. TWO-SHOT - she pulls up a chair
Talia pulls up a chair and sits adjacent Evan.
2. CU TALIA - compare notes
TALIA: I think we should compare notes.
Evan: Notes?
Talia: What’s the last thing you remember cleanly?
3. MCU EVAN - the dinner party
Evan stares forward, blankly. Beat.
Evan: I remember... remembering.
EVAN: The clearest thing is the dinner party. That feels... tangible.
4. INTERCUT - before the light
Talia: See, that’s interesting.
Evan: Why?
TALIA: That was before the abduction.
Evan: Is that what we’re calling it now?
Talia: Before the light. That’s proof.
Evan: Proof of what?
Talia: That we’re still us.
5. MEDIUM EVAN - he drops his head
Evan drops his head.
6. MCU EVAN - the quiz
Beat. Beat.
Evan: Do you remember moving into this house?
Evan: Where you grew up?
Evan: Do you remember your parents?
7. CU TALIA - my mom is my best friend
She pauses a moment.
Talia: I remember my mom is my best friend.
8. MCU EVAN - hating that about you
Evan smiles.
Talia: What?
Evan: I remember hating that about you.
9. CU TALIA - I remember hating your book
She grinds her teeth.
TALIA: I remember hating your book.
10. MCU EVAN - he doesn't reply
Evan looks slightly taken back. Fakes a laugh. He doesn’t reply.
Talia: What? They aren’t our memories, right?
Talia: I don’t even remember what it was about. I just remember it was pretentious.
11. MEDIUM EVAN - that book bought us this house
Evan: That book bought us this house.
12. CU TALIA - that tone
She snaps.
Talia: That. That tone. I remember that very well.
13. MEDIUM EVAN - defend my art
Evan: I’m gonna defend my fucking art.
tALIA: What are you getting defensive about? These aren’t my feelings, I’m just borrowing them, remember?
EVAN: I said our memories are false. I never said our emotions are.
14. WIDE - Talia stands
Talia stands.
15. MEDIUM TALIA - let's say you're right
TALIA: Let’s say you’re right. Let’s say we’re replacements of the real Evan and Talia.
16. LOW ANGLE EVAN - can I get off the floor
EVAN: Can I get off the floor?
17. MEDIUM TALIA - why do I feel invisible
Evan looks confused.
TALIA: Why do I still feel invisible?
18. CU TALIA - too lived in
TALIA: If I’m fake, why do I wake up feeling like I missed my life? Why do I feel empty when I look in the mirror? That weight... it’s too lived in. It’s too real.
19. LOW ANGLE EVAN - I don't understand
Evan: I don’t understand.
20. CU TALIA - it was mine to hate
TALIA: I gave up my life for you.
Evan: What? The museum? You hated that job.
Talia: It was mine to hate. I spent my life preserving things. Important things. Now I spend my days watering plants and waiting for you to write a book you’re never going to finish.
21. MEDIUM EVAN - forty-eight grand
EVAN: You were making 48 grand a year cataloging pottery fragments.
EVAN: How was I supposed to be inspired when my wife was miserable all the time?
22. CU TALIA - fuck you, Evan
Evan doesn’t have an answer.
TALIA: I’m miserable now! At least before it was my choice. And now you want to tell me that none of this is mine? That I’m not even my fucking self?
TALIA: Fuck you, Evan.
23. WIDE - she storms out
She storms out.
Scene 72INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS5 shots
1. MEDIUM - she moves to the counter
Talia moves to the counter.
2. INSERT - the scissors
She opens a drawer and removes a pair of metal scissors.
3. CU TALIA - the blade on her palm
A beat. She studies the blade. Breathes.
4. INSERT - she slices her palm
Then slices her palm.
5. CU TALIA - Fuck!
TALIA: Fuck!
Scene 73INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MCU EVAN - he looks toward the kitchen
Evan looks toward the kitchen, concerned.
2. WIDE - she drops the scissors
A moment later, Talia passes through the room and drops the bloody scissors beside him.
Scene 74INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER20 shots
1. CU - she wraps her hand
Talia wraps her hand with gauze.
2. MEDIUM - she stares at herself
She stares at herself in the mirror. Looking for something. Anything.
3. INSERT - she dials
She takes out her phone and dials.
4. CU TALIA - Mom, something happened
A beat.
MOM (O.S.): Hey, baby.
TALIA (voice shaky): Mom...
MOM (O.S.): What’s wrong?
TALIA: Something happened.
5. CU TALIA - he would never
Talia exhales.
MOM (O.S.): Did he hit you?
TALIA: Mom, no. He would never.
MOM (O.S.): Well, don’t leave me guessing.
6. CU TALIA - a light above the house
A beat.
TALIA: The other night... we saw something. A light. Above the house.
MOM (O.S.): A light?
TALIA: Ever since, I don’t know. I can’t remember things correctly. My mind feels fuzzy. My body doesn’t feel like my own.
7. CU TALIA - aren't real?
Silence.
TALIA: Do you think... is it possible some of my memories... aren’t real?
TALIA: Mom?
8. CU TALIA - I can't answer that
Pause.
MOM (O.S.): I’m sorry.
MOM (O.S.): I can’t answer that directly. Can I help you with something else?
9. CU TALIA - she freezes
Talia freezes.
TALIA (quietly): What?
MOM (O.S.): That request falls outside my current permissions.
TALIA: Mom...
10. MEDIUM - she lowers the phone
Talia slowly lowers the phone. Beat.
MOM (O.S.): Did he hit you?
MOM (O.S.): You said something happened. Tally, did he hit you?
MOM (O.S.): Well, don’t leave me guessing, dear.
11. INSERT - she ends the call
Talia ends the call. Opens her texts.
12. INSERT - don't text me anymore
Her last message to Nick: Don’t text me anymore.
13. INSERT - she scrolls up
She scrolls upward. Flirty messages. Emojis. Then—
14. INSERT - your ass is positively perfect
NICK: Your ass is positively perfect. TALIA: Glad you noticed. NICK: How could I not?
15. CU TALIA - she keeps scrolling
She keeps scrolling. More messages. Then stops.
16. INSERT - the exact same exchange
The exact same exchange. Word for word. NICK: Your ass is positively perfect. TALIA: Glad you noticed.
17. INSERT - again, and again
She scrolls faster. The same exchange again. And again.
18. ECU TALIA - her face drains
Talia’s face drains of color.
19. INSERT - the phone into the sink
She drops the phone into the sink.
20. ECU - straight into her own eyes
Stares into the mirror. Straight into her own eyes.
Scene 75INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. MEDIUM - Evan rubs his wrists and stands
Evan rubs his wrists and stands. Angry.
2. CU EVAN - he looks toward the front door
He looks toward the front door.
Scene 76EXT. HOUSE - MOMENTS LATER23 shots
1. WIDE EXT - Evan steps outside
Evan steps outside. The neighborhood is quiet. A NEIGHBOR down the block is unloading groceries from the trunk of his car.
2. MEDIUM - he heads for the street
Evan heads toward the street. Purposeful. Determined.
3. CU EVAN - his stride slows
Halfway there, his stride slows. His expression shifts. Confusion.
4. WIDE - he stops, then turns back
He stops. Blinking. His posture softens. Like he forgot why he came outside. He turns and walks back toward the house.
5. INSERT - his hand on the door handle
His hand touches the front door handle. He freezes. A flicker of awareness.
EVAN (quiet): The fuck?
6. CU EVAN - he looks at his own hand
He looks down at his hand. Pulls it away. Turns back toward the street.
7. MEDIUM - studying the ground as he goes
This time he moves slowly. Studying everything. The curb. The asphalt. The distance between. Searching.
8. WIDE - ten feet from the road, he stops
Ten feet from the road - he stops. Not choosing. Just stopping.
9. LOW CU - his foot will not move
He tries to step forward. Can’t. His foot won’t move. A beat.
10. MEDIUM - he backs away, free again
He backs away. Immediately free again. Evan stares at the invisible line.
11. MEDIUM - he picks up a rock
He returns to the front of the house, kneels beside a bush and picks up a small rock. Weighs it in his hand. Looks at the manhole cover in the middle of the street.
12. MEDIUM - he cocks his arm, nothing
He cocks his arm. Starts to throw - nothing. His arm refuses to release. The rock drops harmlessly into the grass.
13. CU EVAN - studying his own raised arm
His eyes search for understanding. Studies his arm, still raised.
14. EVAN POV - the neighbor waves
Down the block, the NEIGHBOR waves.
15. MEDIUM EVAN - he waves back
Evan hesitates. Then waves too. The neighbor returns to the groceries in his trunk. A beat.
16. EVAN POV - the neighbor waves again, identically
Evan raises his hand again. The neighbor waves again. Then returns to the groceries.
17. CU EVAN - his stomach drops
Evan’s stomach drops.
18. WIDE - Talia steps outside
Behind him, the front door opens. Talia steps outside. They lock eyes. A beat.
TALIA: It’s not us.
TALIA: It’s all of it.
19. MEDIUM EVAN - I know
He looks at the neighbor, still unloading the trunk.
EVAN: I know.
20. TWO-SHOT - I don't think we can
TALIA: We’ve got to get the fuck out of here.
EVAN: I don’t think we can.
21. MEDIUM TALIA - she extends her hand
Talia looks toward the street. Then back to Evan. Reads the defeat on his face. She extends her hand.
TALIA: Come on.
22. CU - he takes her hand
A faint smile. Evan takes it.
23. WIDE - they walk toward the road
Together they walk toward the road. Determined. Talia leading. They approach the invisible boundary. Closer. Closer.
Scene 77INT. LIVING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER21 shots
1. WIDE - she sits with her head in her hands
Talia sits on the sofa, head in her hands. Evan brings over a mug of tea.
EVAN: Here.
TALIA: I don’t want it.
2. MEDIUM - do we even need food
Evan considers this a beat. He sets the mug on the end table and sits beside her.
EVAN: You need it.
TALIA: Do I? Do we even need food?
3. TWO-SHOT - did something happen
Pause. The lie hangs between them.
EVAN: Did something happen?
EVAN: Something else?
TALIA: No.
4. CU TALIA - I don't know what I am
A beat.
EVAN: You still don’t trust me.
TALIA: I don’t know what I trust.
TALIA: I don’t know what I am.
5. INSERT - he takes her hand
He takes her hand. She looks away. Unconvinced.
EVAN: You’re my wife. Nothing changes that.
6. CU TALIA - how long have we been doing this
He doesn’t answer.
TALIA: How long have we been doing this?
EVAN: Doing what?
TALIA: Us.
7. CU TALIA - what if it was something breaking
She struggles to find the words. Evan listens.
TALIA: What if that night with the light...
TALIA: ...what if it wasn’t something starting? What if it was something breaking?
8. MEDIUM TALIA - the same 72 hours
A small, sad laugh.
TALIA: Maybe our default is just accepting all of this. You write. I clean. We eat. We fight. We make up.
TALIA: Then we do it again. The same 72 hours or so. We never question it.
9. MCU EVAN - so you think we're robots
Evan sighs.
Evan: So you think we’re, what? Robots?
TALIA: I think maybe we’ve been doing this for a very long time. Recycling moments.
EVAN: I know you want to control this-
TALIA: I want to understand it.
10. MCU EVAN - written to have writer's block
EVAN: So what you’re saying is... I don’t actually have writer’s block. I was written to have writer’s block?
Talia: You had an epiphany the very next day. Like your brain was released or something.
Evan: You don’t have a nut allergy. You were written to have a nut allergy.
Talia: I don’t know.
11. TWO-SHOT - nothing between us is real
Evan: We’re not going through a rough patch in our marriage, it’s all just orchestrated? Come on, Tal. Do you really believe that nothing between us is real?
Talia: An hour ago you were convinced we aren’t ourselves.
Evan: An hour ago you weren’t this upset.
12. INSERT - he tightens his grip
He tightens his grip on her hand. Looks at her empathetically. She softens a moment.
13. WIDE - the lights go out
Silence. The lights go out. Darkness. Outside, daylight vanishes. Both freeze.
14. MEDIUM EVAN - at the window, the sky is gone
Evan rises and moves to the window. The sky has gone dark.
TALIA: Ev?
15. WIDE - the house trembles
The house trembles. A low vibration rolls through the floor. Cabinets rattle. Pictures shake.
16. MCU EVAN - I think it's the sky
Another violent shudder. The room shakes harder.
EVAN: I don’t think it’s a ship.
EVAN: I think it’s the sky.
EVAN: Like a signal disruption.
17. MEDIUM EVAN - stay here, I'll be back
He smiles reassuringly. He heads for the back door.
Evan: Stay here. I’ll be back.
18. MEDIUM TALIA - she unwraps the gauze
Talia watches him go. Then looks down at her bandaged hand. Slowly unwraps the gauze.
19. ECU - her palm is smooth
Her palm is smooth. Perfect. No cut. No blood. No scar.
20. CU TALIA - she stares
Talia stares.
21. WIDE - the terrarium shatters
A terrarium slips from a shelf. SHATTERS across the floor. Talia stands.
Scene 78EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. WIDE - the sky is black, the ground shakes
The sky is black. The ground shakes violently.
2. MEDIUM - he grabs the shovel
Evan stumbles across the lawn toward the exposed dirt and black metal post. He grabs the shovel.
Scene 79INT. STAIRCASE - CONTINUOUS1 shot
1. MEDIUM - Talia climbs the stairs
Talia climbs the stairs. One hand trailing along the wall. Steadying herself as the house trembles.
Scene 80EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. WIDE - a light blooms overhead
A light blooms overhead. Growing. Brightening.
2. MEDIUM - he drives the shovel into the post
Evan drives the shovel into the black metal post. WHACK.
Scene 81INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS1 shot
1. MEDIUM - Talia pushes down the hallway
Talia pushes down the hallway. Eyes fixed upward.
Scene 82EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MEDIUM - he swings the shovel harder
Evan swings the shovel down harder. WHACK.
2. WIDE - the light grows brighter
The light grows brighter. WHACK.
Scene 83INT. ATTIC - CONTINUOUS3 shots
1. MEDIUM - she reaches the attic and sees the door
Talia reaches the attic. Sees the door. Moves toward it.
2. CU - she grabs the knob and turns
The house shudders again. She grabs the knob. Turns.
3. WIDE - the door swings open
The door swings open.
Scene 84EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. LOW ANGLE - he brings it down with everything he has
Evan raises the shovel. Brings it down with everything he has. WHACK.
2. WIDE - the light vanishes, the shaking stops
Silence. The light vanishes. The shaking stops.
3. WIDE - daylight floods back across the yard
Daylight floods back across the yard. Birds chirp. A breeze moves through the trees.
4. MEDIUM EVAN - panting, staring
Evan stands there panting. Staring.
Scene 85INT. WHITE STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. WIDE - not an attic
Bright white walls. Clinical lighting. Metal stairs rising upward. Not an attic. Not even close.
2. MEDIUM - Talia frozen at the bottom
Talia stands frozen at the bottom of the staircase.
3. TALIA POV - the doorway still leads to her attic
She looks back. The doorway still leads to her attic.
4. LOW ANGLE - she takes the first step
She looks up. Then takes the first step.
Scene 86EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS3 shots
1. MEDIUM - he drops the shovel, everything is normal
Evan drops the shovel. Looks around. Everything is normal.
2. WIDE - a pinpoint of light, then gone
A small flicker appears high above the house. A pinpoint of light. Then it’s gone.
3. MEDIUM EVAN - he pulls out his phone
Evan notices. Thinks. Slowly pulls out his phone.
Scene 87INT. WHITE STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MEDIUM - she climbs, turns, climbs
Talia climbs. One flight. Turns. Another.
2. LOW ANGLE - it goes on forever
The stairwell seems to go on forever.
Scene 88EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS5 shots
1. MEDIUM - he kneels and raises the phone over the post
Evan kneels beside the damaged post. Raises his phone over it.
2. INSERT - the screen glitches and goes black
The screen glitches. The wifi icon disappears. The display goes black.
3. CU EVAN - waiting, nothing
Evan waits. Nothing. His jaw tightens. Still nothing. A long beat.
4. INSERT - the screen returns, different
Then - the screen flickers. Returns. Different.
5. CU EVAN - searching, connecting
The interface hangs for a moment. Searching. Connecting. Evan doesn’t move.
Scene 89INT. WHITE STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MEDIUM - she reaches the top, another identical door
Talia reaches the top. Another door. Identical to the first.
2. CU - her hand on the knob
She reaches out. Turns the knob.
Scene 90INT. KITCHEN ABOVE - CONTINUOUS7 shots
1. WIDE - she steps out of the pantry into her own kitchen
The door opens. Talia steps out of the pantry. Freezes. The kitchen is identical to hers. Almost.
2. CU TALIA - everything familiar, everything wrong
The cabinets. The counters. The furniture. Everything is familiar. Everything is wrong.
3. MEDIUM - she moves cautiously forward
She moves cautiously forward.
4. TALIA POV - their backyard, but not quite
Out the kitchen window — their backyard. But not quite.
5. MEDIUM - she slowly turns
Talia slowly turns. Her eyes settle on the dining room beyond.
6. TALIA POV - a figure at the table, then another
A figure sits at the table. Then another.
7. CU TALIA - she freezes
Talia freezes.
Scene 91EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MEDIUM EVAN - Val?
Evan stares at his phone. Steadies himself.
EVAN: Val?
VAL (O.S.): Yes, Evan?
2. CU EVAN - the final year of the human race
A beat.
EVAN: What’s the significance of 2115?
VAL (O.S.): Twenty-one fifteen was the final year of the human race.
Scene 92INT. DINING ROOM ABOVE - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. WIDE - she steps into the dining room, the table is set
Talia steps into the dining room. The same wallpaper. Different artwork. The table is set. Plates. Wine glasses.
2. MEDIUM - two bodies, heads resting on the table
Two bodies sitting across from one another. Heads resting on the table. Motionless. Lifeless.
3. CU - she recognizes herself, then Evan
Talia recognizes herself. Then Evan.
4. CU TALIA - the ground tilts beneath her
The ground seems to tilt beneath her.
Scene 93EXT. BACKYARD - CONTINUOUS7 shots
1. CU EVAN - what year is it really
Evan grips the phone tighter.
EVAN: Val.
VAL (O.S.): Yes, Evan?
EVAN: What year is it really?
VAL (O.S.): You inhabit the year 2025 AD.
2. MEDIUM EVAN - not here. outside.
A pause.
EVAN: Not here.
EVAN: Outside.
VAL (O.S.): Time isn’t measured consistently outside your habitat. Twenty-one fifteen was the final year of the Greco Roman calendar.
3. CU EVAN - where am I
Evan forces himself to stay calm.
EVAN: Where am I?
VAL (O.S.): You inhabit an archival reconstruction of human society in the year 2025.
4. CU EVAN - how long ago was the real 2025
His breath shortens. He swallows. A beat.
EVAN: How long...
EVAN: How long ago was the real 2025?
VAL (O.S.): 3.5 million years.
5. MEDIUM EVAN - silence, then he laughs
Silence. Evan stares ahead. Then laughs.
6. EVAN POV - the backyard blurs
His eyes lose focus. His ears ring. The backyard blurs. The house. The trees. The fence.
7. INSERT - he drops the phone
He drops the phone.
Scene 94INT. LIVING ROOM ABOVE - CONTINUOUS9 shots
1. WIDE - she stumbles in and drops to her knees
Talia stumbles into the room. Drops to her knees. Throws up.
2. CU - her hands press into her own rug
Her hands press into the rug. Her rug. She wipes her mouth. Tries to breathe.
3. MEDIUM - she isn't alone
She isn't alone.
OTHER EVAN: I had to.
4. MEDIUM - Other Evan in the armchair, a knife across his lap
She turns. OTHER EVAN, in the armchair across the room. Not moving. A knife across his lap.
5. CU OTHER EVAN - something breaks
OTHER EVAN: When we see our counterparts, it... it's like something breaks. The mind can't hold it.
6. CU OTHER EVAN - he turns his head to her: I had to kill them first
He turns his head to look at her.
OTHER EVAN: I had to kill them first.
7. CU TALIA - her eyes go to the doorway, then to the knife
Talia's eyes go to the kitchen doorway beside him. Then to the knife.
8. MEDIUM - she's on her feet, racing for the stairs
She's on her feet. Racing for the stairs.
9. MEDIUM - he stands, the knife loose at his side, and walks
Other Evan doesn't rush. He stands. The knife hangs loose at his side. He walks.
OTHER EVAN: You would do the same. If you saw yourself. It can’t be helped.
Scene 95INT. HALLWAY ABOVE - CONTINUOUS4 shots
1. MEDIUM - she hits the landing, doors on every side
Talia hits the landing. Doors on every side. Her doors. Not her doors.
2. MEDIUM - she tries a door. Locked. Footsteps below.
She tries one. Locked. Footsteps below. Slow. Even.
3. MEDIUM - she yanks the hall closet open and pulls herself in
She yanks open the hall closet and pulls herself inside. Eases the door shut.
4. CU TALIA - coats against her face, a hand over her mouth
Darkness. Coats against her face. A thin line of light at the floor. She presses a hand over her mouth.
OTHER EVAN (O.S.): That's how she died. My Talia.
Scene 96INT. STAIRCASE ABOVE - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. LOW ANGLE - hand on the banister, he looks up
Other Evan reaches the bottom of the stairs. Rests a hand on the banister. He looks up. Raises his voice slightly.
OTHER EVAN: Murdered by another you.
2. INSERT - his foot on the first step. It creaks.
He takes the first step. It creaks.
Scene 97INT. KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS9 shots
1. WIDE - he slides down the counter to the floor
Evan comes in from the yard, gets his back to the counter and slides to the floor. Head in his hands.
EVAN: This can't be real. I'm going insane. I have to be going insane.
2. MEDIUM - the fridge screen lights up
Evan startles. The LED screen on the fridge lights up.
VAL (O.S.): Evan.
EVAN: Hello... yes?
3. INSERT - critical depletion
VAL (O.S.): I should warn you. The levels of your habitat are at critical depletion. If you don't act soon, the subterranean tower you inhabit will lose all simulated conditions necessary for your survival.
4. MEDIUM - he gets to his feet
He gets to his feet.
EVAN: How would... how do I "act".
5. MEDIUM - the cooking screen comes to life, he spins
Behind him, a small cooking screen on the counter comes to life. Evan spins to face it.
VAL (O.S.): Rerouting power from other levels would resume your contained memory state and reset the habitat indefinitely.
6. CU EVAN - contained memory state
He struggles to comprehend it all.
EVAN: Contained memory state?
VAL (O.S.): The events you understand to be true.
7. CU EVAN - so we would just forget
A long beat.
EVAN: So we would just... forget what we've seen?
VAL (O.S.): In a manner of speaking, yes. Your memory would return to what it was before the malfunction. Free-will within limited parameters.
8. MEDIUM EVAN - can I change what I remember
EVAN: Can I change it? Change what I remember?
VAL (O.S.): Details of your memory can be altered before proceeding, yes.
9. MEDIUM - his eyes go to the doorway
His eyes go to the doorway. The hall. The rest of the house.
EVAN: Can I change Talia?
Scene 98INT. HALL CLOSET ABOVE - CONTINUOUS7 shots
1. CU TALIA - shallow breath behind her hand, in the dark
Darkness. Talia's breath, shallow behind her hand.
2. INSERT - the line of light darkens, a shadow moves past
A floorboard groans on the landing. The line of light under the door darkens. A shadow moves past. It keeps going.
3. CU TALIA - she lets her hand fall. Exhales.
Talia lets her hand fall. Exhales.
4. INSERT - the shadow comes back and settles. The knob turns.
The shadow stops. Comes back. Settles in front of the door. Silence. The knob turns.
5. CU TALIA - back to the wall, nowhere left to go
Talia pushes her back to the wall. Nowhere left to go.
6. LOW ANGLE - the door opens. His hands are empty.
The door opens. Light floods in. Other Evan stands over her. His hands are empty. No knife. Talia shakes her head, tears in her eyes.
OTHER EVAN: It's ok. I'm not going to hurt you.
7. TWO-SHOT - he crouches and extends his hand
He crouches to her level. Extends his hand. She studies his palm. Then his face. Nervously.
OTHER EVAN: It’s me. It’s Evan. From below. From 1975.
Scene 99INT. DINING ROOM ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER11 shots
1. WIDE - she circles the table, the knife between the bodies
Talia circles the dining room table. Two bodies. Her face. His. The knife lies between them. Other Evan waits by the entrance.
2. CU TALIA - how many of us are there
Other Evan gives her nothing.
TALIA: How many of us are there?
TALIA: How many are left?
3. MEDIUM OTHER EVAN - he looks at the floor
He looks at the floor.
4. MEDIUM OTHER EVAN - it's a study, this floor is 2035
A beat.
OTHER EVAN: It's a study. Of us. The human race. This floor is the year 2035.
TALIA: A study by who?
OTHER EVAN: The ones who came after.
5. CU OTHER EVAN - the species that evolved after us
OTHER EVAN: You've seen them, haven't you? In your dreams. The species that evolved once we went extinct.
6. CU TALIA - you were in my house
She looks at him again. Really looks. He nods.
TALIA: You were in my house.
7. MEDIUM OTHER EVAN - I'm going to the surface
He looks up.
OTHER EVAN: I'm going to the surface. I can't do it anymore. Live this lie. I have to know what's out there.
TALIA: The surface?
OTHER EVAN: Whatever's above us. Whatever comes after twenty-one fifteen.
8. TWO-SHOT - you could come with me
His eyes come back to her. Talia looks at the door she came through.
OTHER EVAN: You could come with me.
9. MEDIUM OTHER EVAN - I'll clear them out
She shakes her head. Slowly.
OTHER EVAN: I'll clear them out. The other us. You won't have to face them. I'll make it so it's safe to pass. One floor at a time.
10. MEDIUM OTHER EVAN - we don't have to be what they made us
A beat. He takes a step forward.
OTHER EVAN: Talia. We didn't choose those lives.
OTHER EVAN: But something changed. Something broke.
OTHER EVAN: We don’t have to be what they made us.
11. CU TALIA - silent, shaking
Talia just stares. Silent. Shaking.
Scene 100INT. DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS10 shots
1. MEDIUM EVAN - writing a list at the table
Evan sits at the table, writing a list onto a notepad.
2. INSERT - the notepad
- I finished my second book. - I’m a celebrated author. - I’m happy every day. - Talia never met Nick. - Talia doesn’t keep secrets. - Talia is still in love with me.
3. MEDIUM - Talia in the entryway, he startles
Talia stands in the entryway. He startles. He stands, hugs her.
Evan: Hey.
Talia: Hi.
4. TWO-SHOT - where were you
Evan nods.
Evan: Where were you? I was looking.
TALIA: Just... the attic.
5. MEDIUM EVAN - you're not going to believe this
A beat.
Evan: It wasn’t the light. You’re not going to believe this, but-
TALIA: Can it wait?
TALIA: Please.
6. INSERT - her hand shaking
He notices her hand shaking.
7. CU TALIA - maybe we could have a normal night
Evan smiles. Nods.
Talia: I was thinking, with everything going on. Maybe we could just... have a normal night?
Evan: I’d like that too.
8. TWO-SHOT - a hand on his shoulder, dinner in thirty
She smiles back. Places a hand on his shoulder.
Talia: I’ll take a shower. Change. Dinner in thirty?
Evan: That works.
9. MEDIUM TALIA - she doesn't move, lost, then goes up
A beat. Talia doesn’t move. Just stands there. Lost. Then - She heads upstairs.
10. MEDIUM EVAN - back to the notepad
Evan looks back to his notepad. Breathes out.
Scene 101INT. HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS2 shots
1. MEDIUM - Talia moves through the house
Talia moves through the house. The photographs. The furniture.
2. TALIA POV - the familiar rooms feel unfamiliar
The artwork. The familiar rooms suddenly feel unfamiliar.
Scene 102INT. BATHROOM - LATER5 shots
1. MEDIUM - she turns on the shower, steam fills the room
Talia turns on the shower. Steam begins to fill the room.
2. CU - she looks in the mirror
She looks in the mirror.
3. TALIA VISION - herself dead at the table, Evan beside her
For a moment — she sees herself. At the dining room table. Dead. Evan beside her.
4. CU - the image is gone, she grips the sink
Then the image is gone. Talia grips the sink. Breathing harder now.
5. ECU - she stares at her reflection, uncertain
She stares at her reflection. Uncertain.
Scene 103INT. BATHROOM - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. LOW - water filling the drain at her feet
Talia stands under the shower head, watching the water fill the drain beneath her feet.
Act Three
Scenes 104 to 135 · 100 shotsScene 104INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME4 shots
1. MEDIUM - he pours wine and starts the microwave
Evan pours a glass of wine. He places a dish in the microwave and presses start. The microwave hums.
2. MEDIUM - he stands at the counter, looking down at the phone
Evan stares at the black screen of his phone. A beat. He takes a long drink of wine.
3. INSERT - his eyeline, the dead black phone on the counter
4. INSERT - he rips out the list and bins it
His eyes drift to the notepad. His list. He rips out the page and tosses it into the trash.
Scene 105INT. DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER19 shots
1. WIDE - the table set, a dinner for two in silence
The table is set. Candles lit. Classical jazz spins softly on the record player. A dinner for two. Shared in silence. Both Evan and Talia still processing. The clink of silverware. The record turning. Talia finishes chewing.
2. CU TALIA - do you remember Redondo Beach
A faint smile. A beat. Silence.
TALIA: Do you remember Redondo Beach?
EVAN: Is this another test?
TALIA: No.
EVAN: I remember remembering.
TALIA: Right.
3. TWO-SHOT - favourite memories
Talia shrugs. A soft smile. Evan searches for one.
TALIA: I think that’s my favorite memory.
EVAN: Really?
TALIA: And yours?
EVAN: Maybe that camping trip.
EVAN: When it rained. There’s no detail to it. I just remember feeling... free.
4. CU TALIA - pretending we're in love
She nods to herself. Evan looks up.
TALIA: Free.
TALIA: Do you ever wonder who we’d be if we stopped pretending?
TALIA: Pretending we’re in love.
5. CU EVAN - I am in love with you
EVAN: I am in love with you.
TALIA: If you could choose. If you could be the happiest version of yourself, would you really choose to be here, in this house, with me.
Evan: Yes.
6. CU TALIA - you know a version of me
Talia: Bullshit. You don’t even know who I am. You know a version of me. A politeness.
Evan: I know who you are, Tal. It might be the only thing I know.
TALIA: Do you? Do you really know what I think? How I feel? The things I don’t say? The things I pretend not to notice?
7. CU EVAN - are you fucking Nick
A beat.
Evan: Are you fucking Nick?
8. CU TALIA - yes. I think.
She can’t hold his eyes. A short laugh. Not because it’s funny.
TALIA: Yes.
TALIA: I think.
EVAN: What does that even mean?
9. TWO-SHOT - he's not real
Pause.
TALIA: It means I don’t know. I remember moments. But they didn’t really happen, did they?
EVAN: He’s my friend.
TALIA: He’s a character. A role. Texts on my phone.
EVAN: He’s my fucking friend, Talia!
TALIA: He’s not real!
10. CU EVAN - then why are you crying
Talia blinks rapidly. Too late. The room goes quiet. The record crackles softly.
EVAN: Then why does it hurt? Then why am I angry?
EVAN: Then why are you crying?
11. CU TALIA - I can't even picture his face
Evan absorbs the blow. Says nothing.
Talia: You think I want to feel this way? I can’t even picture his face. You think I want to want a life I’ll never have?
TALIA: That’s what you should be angry about.
EVAN: Don’t tell me what I should feel.
12. CU TALIA - you were made for almost
The fight leaves him. Just for a moment. His eyes glance back to his phone.
TALIA: You were made for almost. You’ll never finish your book. You’ll never be some famous author. And I’m never going to love you. Not the way you want.
13. TWO-SHOT - we don't have to choose it now
Silence. Neither argues. Evan looks up.
Talia: We didn’t choose each other. We didn’t choose our lives.
Talia: And we don’t have to choose it now.
Talia: The surface. There’s a world outside of here. It may be strange and frightening. But it’s real. And it’s happening.
14. CU EVAN - we don't know the first thing about what's up there
Evan: We don’t know the first thing about what’s up there.
Talia: That’s why we go.
Evan: We don’t even know if we can breathe the air. For all we know there’s bugs the size of fucking houses.
Talia: Or the ground is made of rubber. Maybe the gravity is different. Maybe we can fly.
Evan: It isn’t safe.
Talia: We don’t know that.
15. MEDIUM EVAN - they're studying how we failed
A beat. Talia looks down at her plate. Considering it.
EVAN: Why do you think we’re here?
EVAN: They aren’t studying how we lived.
EVAN: They’re studying how we failed.
EVAN: Why study the extinction of the civilization before you?
16. MEDIUM EVAN - I think they're gone
A beat. She looks back to Evan. The certainty leaves her for a moment.
EVAN: Our entire world is collapsing. The sky is literally shutting down.
EVAN: Because no one is watching us. The ones who made us. The ones who put us here. I think they’re gone.
17. INSERT - she sets the dead camera on the table
She removes an object from her pocket and places it on the table. A small metallic sphere. He looks at the camera and back to her.
Talia: It’s a camera. Was. It’s dead now.
18. TWO-SHOT - it's our home / what if we can't
Neither speaks.
Evan: If they can’t survive what’s out there, how can we?
Talia: So we sit here? Forever? Not knowing?
Evan: No. We live. We survive. We make a life for ourselves. Then we give it meaning. We make it real.
Talia: Is that really all you want?
Evan: This isn’t a prison, Talia. It’s our home.
Talia: And it’s going to bury us. You just said it.
Evan: What if we can fix it.
Talia: What if we can’t?
19. MEDIUM - the record runs out, he lifts the needle
The record reaches the end. A soft repetitive click. Click. Click. Click. Evan rises slowly. Crosses to the record player. Lifts the needle. Silence replaces the clicking. Total and clean. He doesn’t turn around. Just stands there with his back to her, one hand still resting on the player. Talia watches him. His eyes trail to the blank screen of his phone, waiting beside the record player.
Scene 106INT. KITCHEN - LATER2 shots
1. WIDE - she rinses, he scrapes, neither speaks
Talia rinses dishes beneath running water. Evan scrapes untouched food into the trash. Neither speaks.
2. INSERT - the faucet runs, the disposal hums
The faucet runs. The garbage disposal hums. Everything else is quiet.
Scene 107EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT2 shots
1. WIDE EXT - he wheels the trash can to the curb
Evan wheels the trash can to the curb. The neighborhood is still. Identical houses. Identical lawns.
2. MEDIUM - he stares down the empty street, then heads in
He stares down the empty street a moment. Then heads back inside.
Scene 108INT. BATHROOM - LATER1 shot
1. MEDIUM - Talia flosses at the mirror, lost in thought
Talia stands at the mirror. Flosses mechanically. Lost in thought.
Scene 109INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME1 shot
1. MEDIUM - he makes up the sofa, a guest in his own house
Evan unfolds a blanket on the sofa. Fluffs a pillow. A guest in his own house.
Scene 110INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT1 shot
1. CU TALIA - awake in the dark, eyes open, listening
Talia lies awake. Eyes open. Listening to the silence.
Scene 111INT. LIVING ROOM - SAME TIME1 shot
1. MEDIUM EVAN - on the made-up sofa, staring at the ceiling
Evan stares at the ceiling.
Scene 112INT. KITCHEN - SAME TIME1 shot
1. WIDE - moonlight across the empty kitchen counters
Moonlight spills across the countertops. The house sits motionless.
Scene 113INT. DINING ROOM - SAME TIME1 shot
1. INSERT - half-melted candles, two empty glasses, the record stopped
Half-melted candles. Two empty wine glasses. The record player has long since stopped.
Scene 114INT. STAIRCASE - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. MEDIUM - Evan climbs the stairs, one step at a time
Evan quietly climbs the stairs. One step at a time.
Scene 115INT. BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER3 shots
1. MEDIUM - her eyes still open as he slips in beside her
Talia’s eyes are still open. Evan slips beneath the covers beside her. Careful not to disturb her. A beat.
2. MEDIUM - he wraps an arm around her
He wraps an arm around her. Another beat.
3. CU - she closes her eyes, her hand over his
Talia closes her eyes. Places her hand over his. For a moment, neither moves.
Scene 116EXT. HOUSE - MORNING1 shot
1. WIDE EXT - the sun comes up over the neighbourhood
The sun rises over the neighborhood.
Scene 117INT. BEDROOM - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. CU EVAN - he opens his eyes. The other side of the bed is empty.
Evan opens his eyes. The other side of the bed is empty.
2. MEDIUM - he sits up. Talia is gone.
He sits up. Talia is gone.
Scene 118INT. WHITE STAIRWELL - SAME TIME2 shots
1. MEDIUM - Talia on the bottom step, staring at her feet
Talia sits on the bottom step of the metal staircase. She stares at her feet. Breathing shallow. A long beat.
2. LOW ANGLE - she swallows, stands, and heads upward
She swallows. Stands. And heads upward.
Scene 119INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. WIDE - Evan walks through the empty kitchen, alone in the house
Evan walks through the empty kitchen. Realizes he’s alone in the house.
2. MEDIUM - he braces himself against the counter. Exhales.
He braces himself against the counter. Exhales.
Scene 120INT. KITCHEN ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. MEDIUM - Talia enters the kitchen of 2035, closes the pantry door
Talia enters the kitchen of 2035. Closes the pantry door.
Scene 121EXT. BACKYARD - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. WIDE - Evan in the yard, eyes drifting to the hole and the post
Evan steps into the yard. Takes a pull from his vape. His eyes drift to the hole and the black metal post.
2. INSERT - he throws a rock at the post. CLANK.
He picks up a rock. Throws it at the post. CLANK.
Scene 122INT. LIVING ROOM ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER8 shots
1. WIDE - the room abandoned, not ruined. Dust on everything.
The room feels abandoned. Not ruined. Forgotten. A thin layer of dust covers the furniture. Talia moves to the terrariums lining the window sill.
2. MEDIUM - she kneels at the terrariums. Nearly identical to her own.
She kneels. Studies them closely. Nearly identical to her own. The same stones. The same moss. The same careful arrangement.
3. INSERT - a faint smile, her fingers on the glass
A faint smile. Her fingers brush the glass.
4. INSERT - she snips the overgrown branch
She notices an overgrown branch. Picks up the pruning shears. Snips it. A beat.
5. INSERT - inside one, a strange bug climbing the glass
The terrariums sit quietly in the morning light. Inside one, a strange bug. Too many legs, picking its way up the glass. Still alive. Still growing. Long after the woman who cared for them is gone.
6. MEDIUM - behind her, a figure watches: I'm glad you came
Behind her, a figure watches.
OTHER EVAN: I’m glad you came.
7. MEDIUM - she stands and turns, still holding the shears
Talia stands and turns, still holding the shears. Nervous. But not afraid.
8. TWO-SHOT - the camping bags. Ready to go?
Other Evan wearing a camping bag on his back. He nods to a second bag against the wall. A beat. Talia nods. Whatever she’s feeling, she puts it away.
OTHER EVAN: I packed you some things. Supplies.
TALIA: Thank you.
OTHER EVAN: Ready to go?
Scene 123EXT. BACKYARD - SAME TIME3 shots
1. MEDIUM - he steps toward the post and takes out his phone
Evan hits his vape again. Steps toward the black post and takes out his phone. A beat. He raises it.
2. INSERT - the screen blinks, goes black, returns
The screen blinks. Goes black. Returns.
EVAN: Val...
VAL (O.S.): How can I help?
3. CU EVAN - I want to reset the floor. Level 2025.
He swallows. Looks away. Evan stares at the phone. Doesn’t breathe.
EVAN: I want to reset the floor. Level 2025.
Scene 124INT. HALLWAY ABOVE - SAME TIME1 shot
1. MEDIUM - he leads her through the house: I've cleared the next floor
Other Evan leads Talia through the house.
OTHER EVAN: I’ve already cleared the next floor. After that we go carefully.
TALIA: Ok.
Scene 125INT. SECOND WHITE STAIRWELL - MOMENTS LATER8 shots
1. WIDE - a second white stairwell, identical. She looks up.
Other Evan leads Talia into another white stairwell. Identical to the one below. She looks up nervously.
2. INSERT - he extends his hand. She takes it.
He extends his hand. After a beat, she takes it.
3. WIDE - they climb. One flight, then another.
They start up. The metal steps CLANG beneath their feet. One flight. Then another.
4. MEDIUM - at the door: Welcome to 2045
They reach the door at the top. Other Evan smiles. He reaches for the knob. Turns it.
OTHER EVAN: Welcome to 2045.
5. CU TALIA - she doesn't move. Her grip tightens on the shears.
Talia doesn’t move. Her eyes look at the drop down the stairs. She tightens her grip on the pruning shears.
6. MEDIUM - she drives the shears into his side. He shoves her.
Then drives them into his side. Other Evan staggers back. Shoves her. Talia drops the shears and hits the wall.
7. WIDE - she pushes him. He goes over the railing and down.
He looks down at the wound. Then up at her. Talia pushes him hard. His body slams into the railing, then the stairs, tumbling all the way to the bottom.
8. MEDIUM - hurt, disappointed, he hurries down. She chases.
Talia grabs the pruning shears. Other Evan pushes himself up, clutching his side. He looks at Talia. Not angry. Hurt. Disappointed. He turns and hurries down the lower flight. She chases after him.
TALIA: Wait!
Scene 126INT. ATTIC ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. MEDIUM - back in the 2035 attic. The house is quiet.
Talia returns to the home in 2035. The house is quiet.
Scene 127INT. HALLWAY ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER1 shot
1. MEDIUM - the empty hallway. She starts for the bedroom, then stops.
The hallway is empty. She looks toward the bedroom. Starts forward, then stops. A thought. She turns and enters the bathroom.
Scene 128INT. BATHROOM ABOVE - CONTINUOUS7 shots
1. MEDIUM - the room appears empty. She steps in, gripping the shears.
The room appears empty. Talia steps quietly, gripping the pruning shears. Another step. A breath.
2. MEDIUM - she rips the curtain open. He is standing there. She cuts.
Then she rips open the curtain and slits Other Evan’s throat.
3. MEDIUM - his body falls into the tub. The life leaves his eyes.
His body falls hard. The pruning shears slip from her hand. She stands there, watching. Other Evan stares back. The life leaves his eyes.
4. MEDIUM - she puts her back to the wall and weeps
Talia sinks to the floor beside him and weeps. Rocking gently. Trying to breathe.
Talia: I’m sorry. I’m sorry.
5. CU TALIA - I couldn't risk you coming back
She wipes her face. Her eyes. Her nose. Her breathing slows. She swallows.
TALIA: I couldn’t risk it. I couldn’t risk you coming back.
6. INSERT - washing her hands. Again. Again.
Eventually she stands and turns to the sink. Washes the blood from her hands. Soap. Rinse. Again. Again. More than necessary.
7. CU - her reflection. Exhausted. Certain.
Finally she looks up. Her reflection stares back. Exhausted. Certain.
Scene 129INT. DINING ROOM ABOVE - MOMENTS LATER3 shots
1. WIDE - the two bodies at the table. She stands over them.
Dead Evan and dead Talia lie across from one another at the dining room table. Talia stands over them. A long beat.
2. MEDIUM - a terrarium beside Other Talia, a kiss on the forehead
She places a terrarium beside Other Talia’s head. Gently closes her eyes. Kisses her forehead.
3. MEDIUM - the power goes out. A screen lights up.
Then — the power goes out. A screen on the bar lights up. Talia turns toward it. The screen goes dark.
VAL (O.S.): Power successfully rerouted.
Scene 130INT. WHITE STAIRWELL - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. WIDE - darker now, lights under each step. She comes down with the bags.
The stairwell is darker than before. Small lights glow beneath each step. Talia comes down with a camping bag over one shoulder and the other in her arms. The metal stairs CLANG under her.
2. INSERT - both bags set down, the shears laid across the top
At the bottom she sets them down. Side by side. She lays the pruning shears across the top. Ready. She takes a breath. Opens the door.
Scene 131INT. ATTIC - MOMENTS LATER3 shots
1. MEDIUM - back in her own attic. She closes the door and turns.
Talia returns to the home in 2025. Her home. She closes the door behind her and turns.
TALIA: Evan?
2. CU TALIA - a flicker, like she's forgotten something important
She stops. A strange flicker. Like she’s forgotten something important. She blinks. Confused.
TALIA: Ev-
3. MEDIUM - her eyes pass right over the attic door, like it is not there
She glances back toward the attic door. Her eyes pass right over it. Like it isn’t there. A beat. Then she continues downstairs.
Scene 132INT. STAIRCASE - MOMENTS LATER2 shots
1. MEDIUM - jazz drifting up the stairs. Her phone buzzes.
Jazz music drifts up from below. Her phone vibrates.
2. INSERT - the text from Jill
A text from Jill: Hey girl, so sorry. I think Cam and I have Covid.
TALIA: Shit.
Scene 133INT. KITCHEN - MOMENTS LATER5 shots
1. WIDE - Evan pulls something burnt from the oven as she enters
Evan pulls something burnt from the oven as Talia enters.
EVAN: How was your call?
TALIA: Did you burn something?
EVAN: Not on purpose.
2. MEDIUM - she waves the smoke away
She grabs an oven mitt and waves smoke away.
TALIA: Jesus. I can’t leave you alone for five minutes.
EVAN: You were more than five minutes, babe.
3. TWO-SHOT - Jill just cancelled. They all have Covid.
She helps move dishes as Evan removes another from the microwave.
TALIA: Well, it may not matter. Jill just cancelled. They all have Covid.
EVAN: No shit. Really?
TALIA: Really.
4. MEDIUM EVAN - Nick and Alicia cancelled too
Evan shakes his head. Evan shrugs.
EVAN: Nick and Alicia cancelled too.
TALIA: The hell is happening?
EVAN: Something’s in the water.
5. TWO-SHOT - you spent days on this. Let's not waste it.
Evan looks at the spread of food.
TALIA: So what do we do?
EVAN: You spent days on this. Let’s not waste it.
Scene 134INT. DINING ROOM - MOMENTS LATER8 shots
1. WIDE - the last dishes come in. Wrote three pages, deleted four.
They finish bringing in dishes from the kitchen.
TALIA: Did you get any writing done?
EVAN: Wrote three pages. Deleted four. So negative one.
TALIA: Progress.
2. TWO-SHOT - they sit. That's why they have you.
They sit. Evan serves himself.
EVAN: How’s the new exhibit?
TALIA: A fucking nightmare. No one on my team knows what they’re doing.
EVAN: That’s why they have you.
3. INSERT - a red spot on her sleeve she can't place
Talia notices a red spot on her sleeve. Rubs it with her thumb. Can’t place it.
4. CU TALIA - every. single. detail.
TALIA: Yeah, I guess. I just... I wish I wasn’t responsible for every. single. detail. You know?
EVAN: I know.
5. MEDIUM - she takes in the eight settings. He shrugs. Then smiles.
She fills her plate, then pauses. The decorations. The wine glasses. Eight place settings. She looks at Evan. He shrugs. Then smiles.
6. WIDE - empty chairs, too much food, two people laughing
Talia laughs at the absurdity of it all. Evan joins her. Empty chairs. Too much food. Two people laughing.
7. CU TALIA - she shakes her head, smiling, and takes a bite
Talia shakes her head and takes a bite of soufflé.
8. CU EVAN - he watches her a moment longer, then does the same
Evan stares at her a moment longer, then does the same.
Scene 135EXT. HOUSE - NIGHT1 shot
1. WIDE EXT - an ordinary house on an ordinary street
An ordinary house on an ordinary street.