Suicide Hotline Butterfly

A Screenplay by JessikaEndsley

This is the skeleton of a book I'm writing, I wrote it a while back. A hotline worker is being harassed by a psychopath on the line.

O = operator. X = anonymous caller.

O: This is Robin at the Suicide Hotline Butterfly, may I help you?
X: I don't know, may you?
O: How are you feeling tonight, young man?
X: What makes you think I'm a young man? My voice? What if I had cancer of the larynx...
O: Oh... my apologies, I...
X: I'm kidding. I am a guy.
O: Oh. How may I help you then, sir?
X: I want to slit my wrist, three inches, horizontal. Seven times, right arm. Any tips?
O: I must urge you not to act hastily, please; tell me why you're feeling suicidal.
X: If I were suicidal, I wouldn't have said horizontal, now would I? Three cuts, vertical, seven inches long - THAT is suicidal.
O: Well...I... why do you not feel well tonight, sir?
X: Maybe I just want to watch the f*****g blood run...
O: Have you considered...are you willing...to enter hospitalization?
X: I've pondered on it, though I won't. You will, though.

*end call.*

O = operator. X = anonymous caller.

O: Hello, this is Robin at Suicide Hotline Butterfly, may I help you?

X: Hi, Robin. Remember me?

O: You're the young man who called several nights ago, correct?

X: Spot-on. How have you been feeling?

O: I'm here to help you, sir. Has your mood improved since we last spoke?

X: I feel fantastic. You look nice in blue, by the way. You'll look even better entirely blue, no?

O: ...How do you know what I'm wearing?

X: Call my psychic. How I know is irrelevant.

O: Do we know eachother?

X: Also irrelevant. Anywho, I made those horizontal cuts you were informed about before. Quite a lovely bunch to add to the collection.

O: I...I must urge you not to self harm.

X: I muat urge you to shut up. Now, listen carefully; when you leave at the end of your shift, turn on your cellphone and call your brother.

O: Why?

X: It will be a nice surprise for him, for now.

O: Why...who are you?

X: Wait and see. Try wearing a tie to your next shift on Thursday.

O: Why? How do you know my shift?

X: I told you - psychic. I will see you soon.

O: But...

*end call*

X = anonymous caller O = Robin (who is a guy, there seems to be a misconception)

X: Hi Robin.

O: My brother got a call from the supposed hospital saying I tried to overdose on Prozac. Who the f**k are you?

X: That language is against protocol, Robin. The tie looks nice.

O: Who ARE you?

X: Why are you on Prozac, anyway? You volunteer at Butterfly, isn't that the blind leading the blind?

O: I wish your number was f*****g traceable...

X: Stay on the line just a little longer, please.

O: Why should I amuse you any longer?

X: Why not? You serve no other purpose. Orphaned, your brother can't stand you, family back in the U.K never bothers to call...

O: My shift is almost over, call and irritate Tony when he comes in.

X: Does Tony irritate you? I think he does. A little too friendly?

O: Hold on, someone's coming in...Hello? Hello? Hey Tony, some weirdo has been calling...

X: He has, hasn't he? Nice tie.

O: What the f**k, Tony? *smash* What are you doing?

X: How could you not know, dolt? *smash* Drop the f*****g phone.

O: Okay, okay, put the gun down, Tony... Oh my God...

X: Get on your knees. Did I mention I like your tie? Good. Now just let me tighten that for you...

O: Tony, stop! I can't... I can't...

X: I'm going to tie you to a door-knob, just to let you know.

O: Stop...stop...

X: Snap will go your neck, I'll fake a little shock... call the coroner...

O: Tony... I... No....

X: Bye-bye, Robin... s**t, the phone.

*dragging sound, end call*