SAFETY LOCKS

FADE IN

1 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

KATE, sixteen years old wearing jeans and a jumper, stands in front of a public payphone. The corridor is empty of people, and sunlight pours in through windows along one wall. After a moment, Kate withdraws change from her jeans pocket and puts it into the payphone. She dials a number and cradles the receiver between her shoulder and ear, dropping down into a hospital chair next to the phone with one knee drawn to her chest.

2 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

JEN, eighteen years old wearing a worn grey tracksuit, enters a bare room. A metal chair and table are the only furniture, fluorescent lighting from the ceiling gives the room a sterile appearance. A one way mirror runs the length of one wall beside a door. A ringing telephone sits on the table. A stern faced SECURITY GUARD walks in behind Jen and picks up the receiver. He listens for a moment, then presses a button on the phone, holding it out to her.

SECURITY GUARD: It's your sister. Don't be too long.

JEN: I won't.

Jen drops into the chair and holds the receiver. The security guard disappears through the door next to the window. Jen presses a button on the phone.

Hi, Kate.

3 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

Kate looks up from where she's been fiddling with her shoelaces.

KATE: That took a long time.

4 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Jen glances at the window.

JEN: It's hard to find just one person here.

5 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

KATE: They're treating you all right, aren't they?

JEN (muffled): It's okay. How long have you got?

KATE: Year and three months.

6 INT. SECURITY ROOM / JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

From behind the window, we see Jen leaning back in her chair, running her hand through her hair. She looks worn out and tired.

JEN: Enjoy the time you have.

7 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

From Kate's angle we see a NURSE standing in the corridor some distance away, holding a small container of pills. Kate nods slightly, then laughs bitterly into the receiver.

KATE: How can I do that? You know what it's like here?

There's a pause for a moment. Kate's eyes downcast.

Sorry.

8 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

The security guard walks into the room, pointing to his watch and tapping it. Jen nods slightly, and the security guard walks away.

9 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

The nurse hands Kate the tablets and a glass of water, both of which Kate swallows. The nurse walks away.

KATE: Jen?

JEN (muffled): Yeah?

KATE: Do you regret it?

10 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Jen shuts her eyes, her face pained.

JEN: You remember the safety lock we put on your bedroom door? A couple of years ago? So Dad couldn't get in?

KATE (muffled): Yeah.

JEN: All the safety locks in the world couldn't have kept him out.

11 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

KATE: So you kept him out permentantely.

JEN (muffled): I had to.

KATE: I still dream about it.

JEN (muffled): So do I.

Kate slumps down in her chair. She looks defeated and her voice is quiet.

KATE: What have we got to look forward to?

12 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Jen is unmoved.

JEN: What did we ever have to look forward to?

KATE (muffled): He would have died eventually.

JEN: It's kill or be killed.

13 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

KATE: I'd rather be.

Kate trails off as she looks up at the nurses' desk.

Never mind.

14 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

JEN: I think you should stop ringing me.

15 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

Kate looks panicked.

KATE: Why?

16 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

The security guard walks into the room again and crosses his arms over his chest.

JEN: Because you should just stop. I need to go.

KATE (muffled): But.

17 INT. HOSPITAL CORRIDOR - DAY

Kate's miserable.

KATE: Bye, sis.

JEN (muffled): Bye.

Kate hangs up the phone, and the nurse comes up to her. Kate follows her down the corridor and walks into a room.

18 INT. JAIL CONFERENCE ROOM - DAY

Jen stands and follows the security guard out of the room. The open door reveals a jail cell block.

19 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

The room that Kate walks into is empty with padded walls. Kate walks across the room and slumps down into a corner, facing the wall. There's very little light.

20 INT. JAIL CELL - DAY

Jen walks into a jail cell and sits calmly on the bed, staring out the door (into the camera). The door slams shut and is locked.

21 INT. HOSPITAL ROOM - DAY

The door is slammed shut and locked.

FADE OUT