NIGHTMARESA Screenplay by Steven Sallie A mother is concerned over her son's curious behavior. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT We’re inside a young boy's dream bedroom. Model planes hang from the ceiling, superhero posters cover the walls. The bed has a race car frame. Sitting on his knees in the bed, KEVIN (8), back turned to us, draws on the wall with RED CRAYON. His back blots out the view of the drawing. INT. LAUNDRY ROOM - NIGHT EMMA (30's), gathers the clothing from the dryer. She folds it into a laundry basket, humming to herself. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT Kevin continues to scribble. The low SCRAPING of the crayon SCREECHES like nails on a chalkboard. INT. LIVING ROOM - NIGHT Emma, laundry basket on her hip, maneuvers between the couch and coffee table, heading towards the staircase. INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT Kevin still hasn't moved. The sound of the crayon SKIDDING across the wall INTENSIFIES. INT. HALLWAY - NIGHT Emma reaches the top landing. She moves down the hall toward Kevin's room. The door is open slightly -- a small sliver of light peaks through onto the hardwood floor. Emma stops and gently knocks on the door. EMMA Sweetheart, you're clothes are done. No answer. Emma knocks again. EMMA (CONT'D) Kevin...? Emma opens the door and enters... INT. BEDROOM - CONTINUOUS ...to find Kevin drawing on the walls. Emma rolls her eyes. She sets the laundry basket on the floor. EMMA Kevin, what are you doing?! You know better than that! What have I told you about drawing on the walls? She walks up behind Kevin, peering over his shoulder. She finally sees what he has drawn -- A STICK FIGURE OF A WOMAN -- BOTH EYES CROSSED OUT WITH AN "X" -- BENT SIDEWAYS AT A STRANGE ANGLE. Emma stares, concerned. EMMA (CONT'D) What is that suppose to be? Still nothing. EMMA (CONT'D) Answer me! Emma grabs Kevin by the arms and turns him around to face her. His eyes look HAZY, UNFOCUSED. KEVIN It's the woman who lives under the bed, mommy. EMMA Honey, there's nothing under the bed. KEVIN You can look if you want to. Emma stares at Kevin. EMMA Fine. Just to prove there’s nothing under there. Emma gets on all fours beside the bed. She grabs the blanket and lifts it -- SHE SCREAMS. THE MANGLED, ROTTING FACE OF A WOMAN LOOKS BACK AT HER, GRINNING FROM EAR TO EAR, EXPOSING YELLOW, CROOKED TEETH. The WOMAN lunges forward. On his bed, Kevin, putting the finishing touches on his drawing, SMILES. INT. MASTER BEDROOM - NIGHT In the darkness, Emma lets out a BLOOD-CURDLING SCREAM, thrashing back and forth, deep in the midst of her NIGHTMARE. A lamp on the night stand is suddenly CLICKED on by Kevin. He stares at his mother with a concerned look on his face. Kevin climbs into bed and gently shakes his mother -- KEVIN Mommy? Mommy? Kevin shakes her a little bit harder, finally jostling her awake. Emma stares around the room, confused and terrified. A look of realization comes over her face as she takes in the walls of her room and her son's innocent face. KEVIN (CONT'D) Are you all right? EMMA (breathing hard) Yes. KEVIN Why were you screaming like that? EMMA I had a bad dream. KEVIN What about? EMMA It's not important. Kevin shrugs. KEVIN Okay. Kevin climbs off the bed, heading toward the door. EMMA You wanna stay in here tonight? Mommy could use the company. Kevin stops. He turns back to his mother. KEVIN But you never let me sleep in here. EMMA Tonight, I’ll make a special exception. KEVIN Okay. Kevin scrambles back into bed, getting comfortable beside his mother. Emma tucks her son in and flicks off the lamp, getting comfortable herself. KEVIN (CONT'D) Mommy...? EMMA Yes? KEVIN I'm glad you let me sleep in here tonight. EMMA Why's that? KEVIN The woman under my bed scares me. SMASH TO BLACK. THE END.
© 2016 Steven SallieAuthor's Note
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