Whatever Happened to Marie?

In all the excitement of the holidays, I forgot to get back to good old Marie.

Let's see what she's up to.

Here's where we left off ...

FADE BACK IN

INT. DANCE CLUB - NIGHT

The room is packed with people, shoulder-to-shoulder. Rock music blasts and multi-colored lights reflect off a disco ball hanging from the ceiling. The entire scene looks like a moving silhoutte against a backdrop of flashing lights and neon.

Marie is dancing with JUSTIN, a tall, lanky “lady’s man”, and Joanne is with another guy, dancing cheek-to-cheek.

MARIE
(shouting)
Mind if we sit the next one out?

JUSTIN
Sure. Take a load off, for a while.

The song ends, then the speakers launch right into the next number. Joanne and her date keep dancing, while Marie and Justin make their way to a table.

MARIE
God, this is exhausting!

She laughs.

JUSTIN
Good grief! You’re too young to be tired just from dancing. Maybe you need to take Geritol. [Did I write that as a joke? I sure hope so.]

MARIE
I’m sorry, I’m just … it’s been a tough time for me. I haven’t been out dancing much lately.

JUSTIN
Hey … let’s get out of here.

MARIE
What about them?

JUSTIN
They can take care of themselves. Let’s blow this joint.

Marie pauses, then smiles.

MARIE
Okay.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

Justin’s black Porsche weaves through traffic, racing down the street. The car makes a sudden left turn, in front of oncoming traffic. Horns blare. The car fishtails, but straightens out and takes off down the road.

INT. JUSTIN’S PORSCHE - NIGHT

[Provide missing scene description]

JUSTIN
Woo! This is one sweet ride.

MARIE
Oh, my God. Are you like a race car driver?

JUSTIN
You could say that. I’m a thrill junkie. Let’s go have some fun.

EXT. CITY STREET - NIGHT

The black Porsche rockets off down the road, blowing through a red light. The taillights grow dim, as the car recedes into the distance.

EXT. COUNTRY ROAD - NIGHT

The black Porsche appears, racing along the road and hanging tight on the curves.

INT. JUSTIN’S PORSCHE - NIGHT

[Scene description still missing]

JUSTIN
How ya’ doing, darling?

MARIE
This is better than a roller coaster.

JUSTIN
Hang on!

Justin hits the brakes, hard. The Porsche goes into a controlled skid. He turns the wheel, and the car spins, doing a full 360 turn, right in the middle of the road.

Justin keeps the car going a bit more, until the car is facing the opposite way. He’s just done a complete turnabout. He stops driving and looks at Marie.

[Okay, where the fuck are we? INT or EXT? Yeah, I hadn't quite mastered screenplay format at that point. Does anyone ever? Really? :)]

INT. JUSTIN’S PORSCHE - NIGHT

[Put some shit here. It's a VISUAL MEDIUM]

JUSTIN (CONT’D)
How’s that, baby?

MARIE
Fine. I think I’m ready to go home.

JUSTIN
Are you sure? Didn’t I turn you on a little?

MARIE
No.

JUSTIN
Oh, c’mon. This has been so much fun. Let’s keep going.

Justin grabs Marie and pulls her toward him. Marie struggles and pulls back.

MARIE
That’s enough. Take me home. Now.

JUSTIN
I don’t think so. We’re here, and I’m not going anywhere. So … c’mon, baby. Show me some love.

EXT. JUSTIN’S PORSCHE - NIGHT

Marie exits the car, slams the door, and starts walking.

JUSTIN (CONT’D) [Is he OS or off?]
You’re going to walk home? Really? It’s thirty miles to the city. Thirty miles in the dark. All alone. So long, Marie. Good luck!

Justin laughs, puts the car in gear, and drives away, leaving Marie in almost complete darkness, but for the moonlight.She pulls out her cell phone.

MARIE
No signal. Great. [I wrote this back in the day, when signals weren’t everywhere.]

She trudges down the road. Between the trees, she sees a light. Looking thoughtful, Marie looks toward the light, then walks toward it. [A tiny bit more please.]

EXT. CABIN - NIGHT

Marie approaches the cabin, looking around. The windows are curtained, but she tries to steal a peak inside.AN ATTRACTIVE An attractive YOUNG MAN opens the front door, sticks his head out, and silently watches Marie. She turns from the window, sees him, and issues a small “eek” while jumping.

YOUNG MAN
Hi there. Can I help you?

MARIE
I … um, got stranded on the road. My cell phone won’t get a signal. I just wondered if I could use your phone.

*****

Shall I continue this fascinating tale? :)