Mr NailsA Screenplay by little bad puppy not shure opens on a forested area from above as the camera comes down music can be heard playing seems like a background song camera comes to to focus on a man in a nice suit laying on the ground. Camera pans to show a cell phone on the ground ringing showing that the music is actually a ring ton. The camera comes in focusing on his face as the phone keeps ringing. The man suddenly bolts upright taking in a deep breath and starts coughing.
says looking around trying to get his bearings then lifts his left hand up suddenly realizing he's chained to a tree. He looks at the chain and the ground and his situation in fear and disgusted on his face. He suddenly notices the phone on the ground ringing (by this time the ring tone/music over has become just a ring tone.) picking up the phone he answers it. “Hello!”
Nails:- voice on the other end is strange and distorted very other worldly- “good morning Mr smith I see you are finally awake how are you feeling?”
situation by losing your temper.”
smith, you have caused some one so much grief that they called me. i am the one who hears the battered mother crying in the night. i am the one who seeks justice for the ones who can not defend themselves. i am revenge Mr. smith, pure burning hate and revenge. i am the last resort for those who have no hope, and you Mr. Smith now have my full attention.
Steve: me? I don’t understand.
Nails: you are Steve smith height xxx weight xxx born 1975 to Wanda smith and john smith. Second child of three. Average grades through out school. Went to college where you majored in businessmen law. Graduated tenth in your class. Went to work for a law firm hoping to make partner. Father of two. Married to Lizzy smith for 16 years. No criminal record you own your home and have two dogs.
Steve: how do you know that? HOW DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME!
for the evil you have done. but there is one way for you to survive this Mr smith tell me the truth. tell me all of the dirty little secrets you have never shared with anyone. if you confess to me you and your wife can live. So Mr smith what I want to know is, do you love your wife?
Steve: what? What dose Liz have to do with this.
Nails: everything Mr smith everything. So tell me honestly do you love your her?
Steve: you leave her out of this! You hear me!
Nails: your wife Mr smith do you need her? Do you care for her? do-pause- you -pause- love -pause- her?
Steve: YES! YES I LOVE MY WIFE! You son of a b***h. don’t you hurt her! I swear to god if...
Nails: -Laughs- I don’t hurt people Mr smith, you do that so much better than I ever could. What we are going to do is have a truth or die session. If you lie to me you both die if you tell the truth you both live, easy enough. But I must warn you Mr smith your wife is on a time limit. So you better hurry.
Steve: who are you? Tell me!
worst thing you ever did to some one.
Nails: tell me, what was the worst thing you ever did to some one. What was the worst injury you ever inflicted on someone? I need you to be very specific tell me all the details. I want you to tell me Everything Mr smith. Everything.
Steve: look, please. Just let me go, I’ll pay you what ever you want. OK just be reasonable.
Nails: let you go Mr smith? What about your wife. I am beginning to think you lied to me. If you do not follow the rules you both die, good bye Mr smith. -hangs up-
Steve: what? Hello? Hello? -looks at the phone- AAAHHH NO! -throws phone on the ground- and slumps against tree, phone land just out of reach- Steve sits for a few seconds then begins searching his pockets the only thing he finds is a picture of him and his family and a knife. He looks at the knife and the handcuff as if thinking about it then slumps against the tree crying. He pulls out the picture and looks at it visible shaken saying “I’m sorry” over and over. He stands for some time just staring at the photo. -as he is standing there the camera slowly pans to show Mr nails in the back ground. Mr nails raises his hand to his head like he is making a call- Suddenly he hears the phone ringing again. He looks around and see's it laying in the leaves. He crawls over to the phone but it is just out of reach. He reaches of it but its just out of reach. Pulls the chain some more trying to get some slack but cant reach it. The phone lying face up with the incoming call showing his fingers brushing the phone till he finally gets a hold and answers it " Hello! Hello!
Nails: are you ready to cooperate Mr smith? -pause- Mr smith....
Steve: -leaning back against the tree looking defeated- yes.
Nails: good. Now as I said before what was the worst thing you have ever done to someone. And do not lie, you lie you die. -pause where nothing is said-
your sins. happy. -pause- so what is it going to be? mine was having a party. I was showing off and had too much to drink. My father was a tyrant when it came to my curfew. My friends tried to talk me out of driving home but I didn’t listen. I knew i was drunk so i took the back roads to avoid the police, I might have been driving fast, I don’t know. suddenly this guy in a brown jacket jumped out of nowhere. I felt the car run over him. I freaked out. I mean what idiot walks home in the dark? I didn't want to go to jail, I was a kid, I was scared, I panicked. i just sat in the truck, engine idling, staring out the windshield into the dark night. i don’t remember coming to any decision but i just drove off. I didn’t sleep all night. I just sat on my bed, waiting for the cops to show up and arrest me. For years I was always looking over my shoulder . I felt bad for not stopping to see if he was OK. I some times think about that guy lying there in a ditch on the side of the road slowly dieing no one around so alone. I mean I killed a guy. -pause- Is that enough? hurting another person. You may be human after all. so tell me Mr smith what do you think that man felt as you ran him over. As your car crushed the life from him, as he could hear his own bones breaking. What did his family do when he didn’t come home. When his widow had identify his body? seeing her crying over the broken remains that you left to bleed out in a ditch on that cold night, because of your adolescent stupidity.
Steve: I don’t know. I was dumb. I didn’t mean to do it.
Nails: what would you say to him if you could? SMITH! but still I did the stupid thing. I knew better. I shouldn't have driven home drunk. I should have stopped, I should have had some one drive me home. I still have nightmares. i wake up in the middle of the night seeing the guys face before it disappeared under the car. If I could undo it I would, I would swap places, I chose to dive home that night. I never meant to let it happen. -pause- I’m sorry. what you did to some one? A priest, a friend, -short pause- your wife? judged. The way they would have looked at me. The hate, the contempt I would see i their faces when they looked at me. Your dark intimate scar on your soul you have kept hidden for years finally exposed to the light. I am judge you for your evils Mr smith, I can persecute you for your crimes. How did confessing feel Mr smith? other end of the phone but strangely knows he's right he feels better- I feel -pause- I -pause- feel. like a wight has been lifted off me. Like some thing dark is gone from my soul. Better, I guess.
Nails: -laughing- you see this can be a good experience if you play along, now. Second question. How did you meet your wife.
Steve: what?
Nails: your wife Mr smith the one who will die if you wait to long how did you meet?
Steve: Lizzy -looks at photo he looks sad as if he is now forced to relive a another dark chapter of his life, slowly his face brightens as he thinks back- I -pause- we -pause- -sigh- we where both in the same freshman lit class together. I remember hating that class the room was always so hot. -loosens his tie- The guy who taught the class, I cant remember his name he was this little balding guy who always smelled of cigars. He would waddle around the class room on his cane and us it to point at something on the board. He was the most annoying teacher I ever had. I remember the first day thou, sitting in the back of the class. I was away from home for the first time, alone, I didn’t know any one there. But when she walked into the room it was like the world suddenly lit up a thousand different shades of white. She sat on the front row next to her friend and they would talk to each other and laugh. It took me almost a whole semester to work up the nerve to talk to her. I had had girlfriends before all through high-school, but she was different. She made me weak at the knees, my mouth went dry, and I couldn't say anything. When I asked her out for the first time I was so scared I just froze, looking into her crystal blue eyes. The way she smiled as she brushed her hair back. It was like the world froze in place in one perfect moment meant for just us. Of course I spoiled it by standing there stuttering till I finally handed her a note with my name and asking her to go out. she said yes and we spent the next 16 years together.
Nails: have you ever cheated on her Mr smith?
Steve: -looking panicked, and in a soft voice- what?
Nails: Lie to me and I hang up. You do not want me to hang up Mr smith. I ask you again Mr smith have you ever cheated on your wife?
Steve: -angry- NO NEVER!
Nails: DO NOT LIE TO ME! DID YOU CHEAT ON YOUR WIFE!
Steve: -looking defeated, his shoulders slump- yes -he goes silent,-
Nails: -after a few seconds of waiting- details. I want to know more. You have to do your part if your going to save your wife. So tell me what you did.
Steve: -he really dose not want to relive this- -sigh- it was almost a year ago me and Lizzy had been going through some hard times, we started growing apart. I would try to talk to her but...... so one night I went out after work for a few drinks. I had gone out before I never told her where I was going. I just told her I was working late, but she didn’t really care. And then I meet Stacy we had a few drinks, she was cute. I really liked talking to her. We met a few times for dinner and step by step we started sleeping with each other. I think Liz knew but she was so far gone, I don’t think she even cared. It was on again, off again for a few months till one night we go caught. i didn't know but Liz friend had taken her shopping. i had made reservations for this place on 5th Bernelly's. they make a really good onion soup. i had told Liz i was working late, and not to wait up. it had been raining all that week, so when i looked out the window into the street and say Liz watching us my heart dropped i froze, everything seem to stop. Liz turned and walked off, i ran out of the restaurant and caught her at the car. We drove home she didn’t say a thing I tried to apologize but no matter what i said she wouldn't even look at me she just sat there. I felt like I was a kid and my father was taking me home to be punished. I don’t know what was worse the fact we drove home with out speaking or the fact she never mentioned it to me, never brought it up, never asked me my side of the story. Maybe I was doing it to get back at her for shutting me out. After the accident she shut down.
-silence-
Nails: what accident Mr smith? I feel I am missing some thing here. Tell me what was it that made your wife withdraw from life?
Steve: -almost ready to cry- It was our son. he.... he.... died.
Nails: how did he die Mr smith?
Steve: -sobbing- please no....don't..-very quietly- please.
nails: Mr smith your son died. You could not save him. Your wife will die and you can save her now tell me how did your son die.
Steve: its been three years, his name was billy, he was 7 when he died. I will never forget that day, no matter how hard I try. I was working 12 hour shifts because we where knee deep in a law suit. Some guy had bought a cup of coffee and burned himself with it so he was suing the restaurant. My secretary put a call through to me from my neighbor. The damn neighbor. My own wife couldn't even call me to tell me our son had died. I just froze, hell the whole world froze. Nothing seem to move I just kept hearing my neighbor Stan going on and on trying to console me. Afterwords I found out that she had been down stairs watching TV through the bottom of a bottle of jack, Liz was passed over for a promotion at work and was feeling depressed. She wasn't even watching him, -pause- there was a open window upstairs. Billy was playing by himself upstairs -pause getting choked up- he fell onto the driveway and hit his head. -pause- She didn't even notice he was gone, she just sat there till the ambulance driver rang the door bell and my daughter answered it. the paramedics said he died from a broken neck. Liz was just spaced out she stopped going to work just laid in bed all day. I would hear her up there crying. I tried to get her to go to counseling but she wouldn't leave the house. -cries-
Nails: so Mr smith do you blame your wife for your sons death? Is it her fault?
Steve: -no longer crying- no.
nails: if it is her fault just say so. If you tell me it is her fault i will let you go. i will punish her for what she has done to you. just say the words.
Steve: -jerks arm chained to tree so chain rattles, reminding audience he is still chained up- NO! I don’t blame her. She had no control over the situation. -in a softer voice- it wasn't her fault.
Nails: touching Mr smith and yet you punish her by sleeping with another woman. So you do love her then
Steve: - standing up and starting to become angry- YES, I love her till it hurts. Now you answer a question. Why me? What did I do to you?
Nails: you have done nothing to me . it's someone else who has a grudge against you. you see you have hurt a lot of people. And I'm here to get revenge for them. But I believe that everyone deserves a second chance . but Remember her time is running out.
Steve: no screw you! I'm done with your head games! You let me go right now!
Nails: are you trying to make me mad Steve? do you not understand i own your soul, your life, your very existence. do you want to see me angry, should I up the stakes. Should I throw some more wood on your fire. How about this. -a moment of silence as some bumping of the phone can be herd the camera focusing tighter and tighter on Steve's face then a frightened girls voice come over the phone- “daddy? DADDY HELP! HE”S....”
Steve: ALICE! ALICE! YOU B*****D! DON'T YOU HURT MY DAUGHTER! -whips chain again- I WILL KILL YOU DO YOU HEAR ME YOU SON OF A B***H! I WILL F-....
nails: -laughing- see Mr smith you can be motivated. Now shalt we continue?
Steve: - pulls the phone away from his head looks as if he wants to throw it then bit by bit begins to break down his shoulders suddenly slump he is defeated, in a soft voice- yes?
nails:- you can almost hear him smiling- good now i want you to look above you in the tree.
Steve: -looking up he sees a nail with a hand cuff key- yes, i see it.
nails: good get it, you can put the phone down I’ll wait.
Steve: -puts the phone down and climbs the tree, gets the key and unlocks himself. he rubs his wrist, then picks up the phone.- OK now what?
nails: now turn to your right and start walking.
Steve: -turns in the wrong direction and takes a few steps.-
nails: not that way. your other right.
Steve: -turns the right way then stops.- wait how did you know i was going the wrong way? -looks around him (good time for a Mr nails in the background shot)- you can see me? where are you.
nails: tick, tock Mr smith. and yes i can see you i see everything. now walk.
Steven: -looks like he wants to say something else, but begins walking angrily away- where are you taking me?
nails: to see your wife, if you get that far. now, in a few minutes you will come to a path. turn left and walk down it.
Steve: my wife better be OK
nail: she's fine for now. while we are on the subject, who is Ted Elison?
Steve: ted? he's my lawyer. why?
nail: but your a lawyer. are you not?
Steve: he's a divorce lawyer. I’ve been talking with him about divorcing my wife.
nails: i see. so you love her, but your also divorcing her? a very strange way of showing love?
Steve: `my life is none of your business.
nails: but it is Mr smith, you see people come to me when they have a grievance with another. they pay me to avenge them from the wrong doing of others. i give them a sense of closure. i give them what they can not get them selves.
Steve: I’m not a saint. but what did i ever do to deserve this? is it because that guy? i didn’t even know him. I’ve tried to live my life to pay for that mistake.
nails: bravo Mr smith. you feel bad for what you have done. but you still did some thing wrong, and you must pay for it.
Steve: OK if i go to the police and confess murdering that guy will you let my family go? that’s fair right?
nails: no Mr smith. that is not the way this works. it is my job to make you suffer for your sins. i do not think you understand there is a higher power at work here.
Steve: then why are you bringing my family into this?
nails: because it is the thing you love the most. they are the only real thing that matters to you.
Steve: you sick b*****d! if i find you, I’m going to kill you.
nails: you might find that difficult.
Steve: -goes to say something but stops as a woman’s voice can
be heard calling for help. Steve sprints toward the voice. rounding
corner he sees his girl friend tied to a tree
Stacy: oh my god Steve! please help me! -Stacy is cuffed to a tree she looks a little roughed up- i don't know where i am.
nails: Mr smith if you look at you feet you will find a gun there. you know have a choice. will you use the key to set her free, and you and her can leave. but your wife stays. or you can take the gun and shoot her. then you and your wife can be together.
Steve: looks down and sees the gun in the leaves on the ground. reaches down and picks it up.-
Stacy: -while Steve is picking up the gun.- whats going on? please help me -pause seeing gun- whats that. is that a gun? Steve please no! no don't. I’m sorry don't kill me please. -she is crying as Mr nails begins to speak.-
nails: so Mr smith what is you choice.
Steve: -looking at Stacy tears running down her face as she pleads for him to stop, large black mascara streaks framing the look of sheer terror on her face as Steve raises the gun- no i can't.
nails: MAKE A CHOICE!
Steve: - visibly shaken, in anger and tears- i...i....no....i.
nails: MAKE A CHOICE OR YOUR DAUGHTER DIES!
Steve: - in a wet chocked voice- why?
nails: good job Mr smith. i knew you could do it. see your a natural.
Steve: i will kill you. -low soft voice-
nails: come come, your almost done. just a little farther down the trail your family’s waiting for you.
Steve: Liz?
nails: yes Mr smith. in the clearing you'll find her waiting. hurry up now Mr smith your almost out of time. -he hangs up-
Steve: -looks down at his phone and starts laughing/crying. then slowly gets up and starts walking down the trail. after a min or so he comes out into a field. nearby is a fresh grave with a shovel in the dirt. Steve walks over to it. the grave marker is a simple white cross with Elizabeth written on it. in a zombie like trance he walks over to the grave looks down at it, whimpers as he looks at the name. his mind is broken at this point. he takes the shovel and begins digging. fast forward sun setting. Steve is standing in a whole as his shovel hits the lid. he tosses the shovel and begins clearing the lid by hand. calling his wife’s name as he digs. when he finally gets it open he call out her name one more time before looking into the coffin. what he sees makes him stop. he just looks on in horror as he climbers out of the grave. as he stands there Mr nails walks out of the woods clutching his daughter by the trough with a knife held to it, his daughter calls out "daddy!" making him turn around.- ALICE!
nails: hello Mr smith we finally meet. i must say it has been such fun playing with you. i am so sad it has too end, but such is the way of things
Alice: -very scared- daddy, help me.
Steve: - reaching behind him and pulls the gun out- DROP THE KNIFE NOW! -nails raises his hands but keeps the knife.- DROP IT! - nails drops the knife. Steve keeps gun trained on nails- Alice get the knife -she picks it up and turns on her captor.- Alice come here baby, it's OK, come here. -Alice turning and seeing him as if for the first time runs to her father.- now you sick b*****d take your mask off i want to see your fa..urk
Alice: -looking up into her fathers face as he looks down at her in shock. Alice has stabbed Steve he looks down at her in shock.- I’m sorry daddy. it's my fault billy died. i was so scared of telling you, I’m sorry. but you where leaving us. billy left, you left, we would never be a family again. but all that’s changed, we can be together forever. -Steve is in shock, from the stab wound but also the shock of Alice being the one. he falls backwards into the grave. Mr nails has walked up and stands behind Alice
nails: are you satisfied?
Alice: yes thank you -hands him the knife-
nails: are you ready?
Alice: oh yes. -says with a smile as she climbs into the grave. the sound on the lid closing can be heard.
nails: -closeup on his face- the contract is at a end. you have paid you fee. may you finally find your happiness. -wide shot of clearing nails turns and walks off, the dirt is back in place over the grave. as nails walks into the background everything suddenly goes black with the sound of a slamming door.
© 2014 little bad puppy |
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