The Interrogation

Written by Marjory Wallace

Characters: Claire and John

Claire's setting: Outside, park-like area

John's setting: Inside unlit, empty room. Should be quite dark, no windows if possible.

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CLAIRE is walking down a corridor. Silence, apart from her shoes clicking on floor. Walks around corner. Shot changes to outside, where she is now walking along a path in a green, park-like area. A phone starts ringing. Claire takes it out her pocket and answers it.

Claire

Hello?

Sound of JOHN'S voice but shot stays with Claire.

John

(Angry) Claire! Where the hell are you?!

Claire

John. Hi.

Cut to close up of John's face.

John

Don't "hi" me! Where the hell are you?!

Claire

The park.

John

The park?! What the hell are you doing there?! I'm stuck here in the bloody room!

Cut to Claire, who starts walking again, but at a slow, casual pace.

Claire

Have you tried opening the door?

Cut to John.

John

(Insulted) Yes I have! It won't open - it's locked!

John wrestles with the door-handle in frustration then turns and starts pacing around. Cut back to Claire who looks unconcerned.

Claire

Well, that is a problem, isn't it?

Cut to John.

John

(Slightly panicked) Aren't you going to come back and help me?!

Claire

(Slowly) Well…I don't know…

John

What the hell's wrong with you, Claire?! Get back here and get me out!

Claire

Why should I?

John is breathing hard. There's a small pause before he answers.

John

Why? (Extremely angry) Because it's your fault I'm in here, dammit!

John kicks a chair over in anger.

Claire

Well, you're not being very nice, are you?

John

Claire, seriously, I'm not joking. Come and get me out of here before I lose it!

Claire

(Thoughtfully) Hmmm…

John

Claire! Stop messing about!

Cut to Claire, who casually slows to a halt but doesn't reply to John.

John

Look, Claire. Seriously. Get back here and help me.

Claire still doesn't reply. Cut back to John.

John

(Angry) What the hell's gotten into you?!

Cut to close up of Claire's face. She stares forward with an icy look on her face.

Claire

You know what, John? I think I have another call to make.

Cut to John

John

No! Dammit, Claire! Don't hang up on me! You can't just leave me here!

Cut to Claire.

Claire

Oh, I think you'll find I can.

Cut to John.

John

You cow! Don't you dare hang up!

Claire

Goodbye, John.

John

No! Look, I'm sorry!

Claire

Too late. Your time's almost up.

John

(Raising voice) But you can't do this to me!

Claire

Three.

John

(Even louder) Claire!

Claire

Two.

John

(Screaming) Damn you, Claire!

Claire

One.

There is the beep of the phone being hung up and the screen goes black. There is silence for a few seconds, then the faint clicking of Claire's shoes on the path which fades away into nothing.

END