INT. LIVING ROOM - CONTINUOUS
ROSE
She don't want nothing.
Bev sets the tangle of jewelry down.
BEV
I'm gonna go for a swim.
Bev stands and grabs a towel from a folded pile on the floor. She walks up to the sliding door, opens it, and exits.
Rose looks out towards Bev and the pool.
Bev removes her dress revealing her 1950's style underwear. She throws the dress and the towel onto a patio table and makes her way to the edge of the pool. She sits down at the edge and then drops into the water.
Rose's phone rings. She puts it to her ear and answers it as she continues watching.
ROSE
Hello.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Rose?
ROSE
Yeah mom.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Everything OK?
Bev proceeds to put on the most ridiculous display of "swimming" ever seen. She wildly flails her arms and legs as she slowly goes back and forth across the shallow end of the pool.
ROSE
Yeah.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
How's Bev getting along?
Rose chuckles at the display. It's the first positive reaction we've seen from her.
ROSE
She's fine I guess. Still active.
Rose chuckles again.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Well that's good. Find anything you like?
ROSE
A few things I guess.
Beat.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Should I be there?
ROSE
(irritated)
Mom.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
No seriously. Should I come down there?
ROSE
Do you want to?
Bev swims to the edge near the door and climbs out of the pool, rolling onto her side. She gets up, walks to the table, and dries off. She puts her dress back on.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Not really.
ROSE
Then don't.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
It's just . . .
ROSE
Mom, it's fine. If you don't want to come then
don't.
IRIS (O.S.)
(from phone)
Well if you don't need me then I won't. I
gotta go Rose. I'm walking into aerobics class right now.
ROSE
Bye.
Rose ends the call. She puts the phone back in her pocket.
Bev opens the sliding door and enters.
ROSE
Have a good swim?
Bev says nothing as she disappears into the hallway. The sound of a door opening and closing is heard.
Suddenly the sound of a very sad country song begins playing.
Rose sighs.
ROSE (CONT'D)
Hate that damn song.
Rose returns to the box.
After several seconds the sound of the same door opening is heard.
BEV
Hey Rose. I'm hungry. You gonna cook dinner?
Rose sighs.
ROSE
Yeah. Gotta go to the store first.
BEV
No eggs tonight.
Rose stands and disappears into the kitchen, leaving Cline alone in the room.
ROSE (O.S.)
Yeah. OK.
CUT TO:
YOU ARE READING
Mind the Gap
Short StoryThis is an adapted screenplay for a short film based on a story published in the New Yorker in 2011. The story is called "Sun City" by author Caitlin Horrocks. This screenplay was originally written in 2011.
