Script: First Draft

[Blank Screen]
Smashing of a glass followed by footsteps that go to the front door. The door opens then is pulled shut with loud thud.
The ambient sound consists of traffic outside and the sound of a gas stove to the left.

[Shot of the front door.]
The hallway is empty and the setting is motionless.

[Cuts to the kitchen.]
The kitchen is abandoned yet clearly lived in. A bag of pasta is messily positioned on the countertop while a saucepan filled with water is being heated on the stove over a gas flame. While untidy, the surroundings are visibly clean.

[Cuts to the bedroom.]
The bedroom appears to be pristine with clear attention to detail as objects are placed in specific order. A series of objects are placed in an aesthetically pleasing formation on top of a wooden fold up chair by the side of the bed. Framed photographs are positioned around the room which contain both family and friends of the character, showing her as social.

The exception of this is a working laptop which is positioned on top of a neatly made bed. The laptop is open on Facebook, showing the profile of the character. This alludes to the character’s name, age, relationship status, education and employment.

[Cuts to Livingroom.]
The Livingroom is tidy though showing visible signs of habitation. A coloured tea light is burning on a side table. A book is placed ajar on the coffee table (Life After Life).

Broken glass is moderately spread across one side of the room, this is accompanied by the character, who is deceased although has no visible signs of their cause of death.

The saucepan in the kitchen begins to boil over and the ambient sound of the traffic outside becomes more prominent, this continues as a woman enters through the front door. The woman is dressed in all black, formal attire accompanied with heels that make a distinct “clop” with each step.

The women then grabs hold of the fold up chair and drags it out of the bedroom towards the Livingroom, pushing all the objects off in the process.

Chaos appears to ensue as the water continues to violently boil over and the mysterious women pursues the body in a threatening fashion, this is interrupted with the repetitive smashing of the glass tumbler.

Finally the woman approaches the corpse, reaching out her right hand towards it while still dragging the chair with her left hand behind her.

[Cuts to the candle]
It has remained lit throughout the sequence. It is then abruptly blown out with an audible breath.

[Blank screen]

[Cuts to May sitting on wooden chair in the Livingroom]

May
(Wakes up suddenly with a loud gasp. She then proceeds to look the woman in front of her up and down.)
Who the fuck are you?

Ava
(Whips out printed flash cards)
Hello. I am Ava and I am your after-buddy.
(Makes eye contact and smiles slightly)
Due to unfortunate circumstances your life force has unfortunately seized to prevail… Quite unfortunate!
(Turns to next card)
And as result you currently reside in limbo. Please stay calm, after your relevant papers are faxed through to our dimension you will promptly be rehoused and integrated into our necropolitan society and reunited with your corresponding relatives.

May
Necropolitan?

Ava
Yes.
(Turns to next card)
Terms and conditions apply!

Silence.

Ava
Now, I know this might be difficult-

May
I have a headache… and I can’t breathe enough.

Ava
Ah yes, symptoms of the type of death remain for a bit.

May
Right?

Ava
We uninspiringly call it the death hangover.

May
Death hangover?

Ava
Or if your last moment were at the gallows we can them a hanged-over.
(Laughs at self)

Silence.

Ava
Okay.

[End.]