ACT I
FADE IN:
INT. EMERSON'S BAR - NIGHT
It's a dark bar.
SPOTLIGHT.
The hum of a fly buzzes about, as BLOOD and five DEAD BODIES stain the floor. In the center, there's a table with a CHESSBOARD. A MAN and WOMAN sit on opposite sides, the man behind the black pieces, the woman behind the white.
The woman, ARIADNE, 25, is caked in blood. Whether it is her's own or not is hard to tell. Her long black hair and dress are stuck to her sweaty, heaving chest. A MODEL 340 PISTOL sits in her lap.
The man, EMERSON, 36, grips his LEFT shoulder as blood trickles from a bullet wound. His white oxford shirt and black suit jacket are drenched in his blood and sweat. He's in pain, but he's doing a good job hiding it. There's a lit cigar in his mouth.
Emerson gestures for Ariadne to make the first move. She moves her first pawn with no hesitation as her gaze is fixed on Emerson.
He looks down, taking in a minute to engage her move. He moves his first pawn.
The two play for several minutes. Ariadne is focused on taking Emerson's piece, while he remains calculated and composed.
Emerson has the upper hand with two of his pawns, queen, king, knight, and two bishops.
Ariadne has one pawn, her queen, king, and one knight. Emerson moves his knight before Ariadne's king.
The fly has stopped buzzing.
EMERSON
Check.
Ariadne places her GUN on the table. Emerson winces with a grin.
EMERSON (CON'd)
Do you want my other shoulder?
ARIADNE
I think you know where this bullet's aimed.
EMERSON
And if I apologize?
Ariadne scoffs.
EMERSON (CON'd)
You're still raw about it, and for that I am sorry--
ARIADNE
Oh, I'm certain you're sorry now. Positive even.
EMERSON
You want to kill me? Get revenge? Tell me, doctor, I know you're more of a listener, but it looks like today, I want to play. What do you want?
ARIADNE
Frankly, I'm through doing your shit. If I'd known any better, I should have killed you a long time ago.
EMERSON
Forgive me, dear, as it was never my intention to let you live this long.
ARIADNE
You think you're so fucking funny. What do I want? What do I desire, what do I wish for? I don't want, but I will have my atonement.
YOU ARE READING
Threads
Mystery / Thriller[FIRST DRAFT] 19-year-old Kahi Neith must meet the needs of her poor and sick family at a costly price. - I'm going to update when I finish each act. I plan on there being four because screw Hollywood's three-act structure. I am a pretty slow writer...
