Yolk (4 pages)
This screenplay is based on a short story I published on Tildes some time ago. If you prefer, you can download the PDF here. YOLK by mrbig Until told otherwise: BLACK AND WHITE. SLOW MOTION. SLOW...
This screenplay is based on a short story I published on Tildes some time ago. If you prefer, you can download the PDF here.
YOLK
by
mrbig
Until told otherwise:
BLACK AND WHITE.
SLOW MOTION.
SLOW AND BEAUTIFUL OPERA MUSIC
INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT
KITCHEN
HAND grabs the egg carton on the fridge. JAMES is 30, thin
and shirtless. Smells the eggs one by one. Stops. Smiles.
Water gushes from the faucet, foaming abundantly as it goes
down the drain.
BEDROOM
On the wall behind the bed, a painting of two lovers with
their heads individually wrapped in sheets. They kiss, but
they're mouths do not touch. ALICE, 30, dark hair, black silk
nightdress, sleeps. SOUND OF SOMETHING BEING FRIED. She wakes
up.
KITCHEN
James breaks the eggshell, getting his hand dirty. Licks his
fingers. Behind him, Alice is watching. Gently throws the egg
in the frying pan.
THE EGG SIZZLING
James sprinkles salt and pepper. Manipulates the frying pan
with skill, throws the egg up in the air and catches it in a
precise and continuous movement. Extinguish the fire and look
back to see
COLOR. NORMAL SPEED. OPERA MUSIC STOPS.
Alice with the eyes fixed on the stove.
ALICE
Look.
Points at the egg.
JAMES
What?
ALICE
Can't you see?
JAMES
Has it gone bad?
She takes a deep breath.
ALICE
I noticed the way you broke the
shell, but I needed to confirm. Can
you see how the yolk is soft yet
whole, with a small cut in the
lower portion slowly leaking a
yellow thread at a regular pace?
JAMES
Yes...
ALICE
Don’t you get it?
JAMES
No.
ALICE
When the yolk leaks like that, it
can only mean two things.
She hesitates.
ALICE
You’re either going to murder me...
JAMES
What you’re talking about?
ALICE
Or you’ll get a Ph.D. in Physics.
JAMES
You’re kidding, right?
ALICE
Nope.
HIS EYES
HER EYES
ALICE
The egg doesn't lie.
He sits by the table.
JAMES
I could just choke you.
She sits near him, smiling. Leads James' hands to her own
neck, and make him hold it.
JAMES
That's easier.
He caress Alice's neck.
JAMES
I never thought about that before,
but maybe, precisely because I love
you, precisely because I want you,
maybe I should exterminate you.
Retracts his hands.
JAMES
Or maybe I don't love you enough.
ALICE
The egg...
JAMES
I know, it doesn't lie. Then why
are you still here?
ALICE
Makes no difference.
He stands up and looks at the egg on the stove. Cleans his
throat.
JAMES
Honey?
ALICE
Yeah, babe.
He opens a drawer and pauses for a second. Closes.
JAMES
I’m terrible at physics.
James holds a butcher's knife with a confused expression on
his face.
OPERA MUSIC RETURNS
THE END
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