Tuesday, July 19, 2016

Two Winters Past



EXT. TOWN. MORNING

Helicopter over a small town. Yards are overgrown. Grass grows through prominent cracks in the blacktop streets. Road extends into trees, and we see more houses in the background. In the distance is a gas station. A bank and an elementary school with a playground are beyond. 

MIRANDA stands on the roof of a two-story house on a small property. She is a short, plump woman in her late 50's. 

MIRANDA (VO): This town was dead before the power went out. Before the zombies, before the gunfights, there was no one here. The families take the children elsewhere, and the older people stayed inside. I heard entire days without a peep from any of you. Come out! Come out here and talk to me! I haven’t done anything to any of you!

MIRANDA waits. No response comes. She take a deep breath... holds it... exhales through her nose.

MIRANDA climbs down the roof to a corner where she hangs over the edge, kicking her pudgy legs until she catches a window will and deftly pulls herself inside.

INT. SEWING ROOM. MORNING.

Tables are piled high with fabric and blankets arranged around an antique sewing machine. MIRANDA descends a spiral staircase to a kitchen.

INT. KITCHEN. MORNING

Tubs of water are around the room.

MIRANDA dips a cup and drinks.

A person runs on the porch and pounds on the door. It is KAY

KAY (OS): Hello! Hello! Is somoene there? Let me in, please, I’m not dangerous.

The door handle jiggles.

KAY (OS): I know you’re in there! I heard you on the roof! Please let me in, I need food!

MIRANDA is hesitant in approaching the door. KAY bangs on the frosted glass. MIRANDA cries out.

KAY (OS): Let me in!

MIRANDA opens the door and KAY collapses in. She is a teenage girl in dirty pants and a leather shirt. She is malnourished.

KAY: Oh, thank you. Thank you. I haven’t eaten in two days. Do you have any food?

MIRANDA closes the door and locks it.

MIRANDA: Wait here.

MIRANDA goes into the pantry, returns with a can of creamed corn.

MIRANDA: I have more, we can cook some.

MIRANDA opens can, gives it to KAY.

MIRANDA: You’re safe. Where did you come from?

KAY: Ithaca. Buffalo before that.

KAY eats from can with her fingers.

MIRANDA: Not too much, you’ll get sick. How is Ithaca?

KAY: Lots of fighting. Not much food. My dad decided we should move on before it was too dangerous.

MIRANDA is crying.

KAY: What’s wrong? Why are you crying?

MIRANDA: I haven’t seen someone in such a long time!


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