The Crack

By
Spenser Douglas Querry

Based on "Crack"
by James W. Hall

Spenser Querry
spensq@gmail.com
765.506.1692.
2501 W. Ethel Ave.
Muncie, IN 47303

INT. THOMASS APARTMENT - STAIRCASE LANDING - NIGHT

Through a crack in the wall, a sliver of light splits the
darkness. An all encompassing, heavy breathing fills the
space.
The silhouette of a MANS HEAD and SHOULDERS moves in front
of the light. Back and forth he moves, adjusting for the
best view through the crack.
INT. CLASSROOM - DAY
A beam of light spews from a projector, illuminating the
front row of STUDENTS FACES, early 20s. They stare
straight ahead, past the silhouetted bust of their
PROFESSOR. Classical music plays softly over the film.
INTERCUT - STAIRCASE LANDING/CLASSROOM
The mans head blocks all but a fragment of the light. His
breath quickens as his arms splay flat against the wall.
The Professors face is awash in white, his glasses filled
with reflections . His vacant stare proves hes not fazed by
the bright light. The classical music begins to swell.
The man readjusts his position one last time, as his left
hand moves down toward his groin. The music reaches the
pinnacle of its swell and then begins to fade. A rapid
ticking sound signals the end of the film and suddenly the
classroom lights burst on.
CLASSROOM
The professor, a rather handsome THOMAS SPAULDING, early
30s, snaps back to reality. He adjusts his slim black tie
as he addresses the classroom. A STUDENT returns from the
light switch to his desk.
THOMAS
(clearing his throat)
And so concludes the film, our
study of Nabokov, and todays
lesson.
The students begin to pack their things, but Thomas is ready
to go. He rushes for the door.
THOMAS (CONTD)
Remember next week, a 500 word
thesis for your term papers from
each and every one of you. That
includes you Mr. Aldana.

2.
ALDANA hangs his head with a sly smile as the other students
smirk or hurl paper balls at him.
INT. SCHOOL HALL - EVENING
Thomas stands out in the crowd of VENEZEULAN STUDENTS. He
pushes his way through in a hurry.
He rushes past his office where THREE STUDENTS stand
anticipating his arrival, all vying for his attention.
STUDENTS
(in unison)
Mr. Spaulding! Professor!
Thomas, with a gesture of reluctance, ignores these students
and pushes on. They stand in confusion at his negligence.
EXT. STREET - BARQUISIMETO, VENEZUELA - EVENING
The back of Thomass head moves left to right with each
eager peddle of his bicycle as he navigates the city street.
He dodges between PEDESTRIAN and AUTO traffic, past street
vendors and bodegas. The sounds of the busy street are
muffled compared to his heavy breathing.
He rounds a corner and throws his leg side-saddle over the
crossbar as he coasts.
EXT. THOMASS APARTMENT - EVENING
Thomas jumps from his bicycle and rushes to the front door
of his building, propping the bike against the wall as he
expertly withdraws his keys and enters.
INT. THOMASS APARTMENT - EVENING
Thomas bursts through the front door, immediately removing
his satchel and dropping it to the floor.
His eyes immediately lead to the staircase landing in front
of him. Hes fixated on a minute crack between the mortared
stones in the wall.
NANCY
(excited)
Youre home early!
Thomas nearly jumps out of his own skin at the sound.

3.

Hes rushed by his wife NANCY, a pleasant looking woman in

her late 20s, who embraces him with a hug.
Thomas looks shaken at first, a thin layer of sweat on his
brow.
THOMAS
I am.
Nancy looks concerned at his out-of-sorts appearance. She
brushes back his hair.
NANCY
Everything all right?
His eyes move from the wall and meet hers. He forces a
smile.
THOMAS
I just wasnt expecting you, is
all. You gave me quite a scare.
NANCY
I decided to forgo the museum and
make you dinner instead.
She turns and heads into the kitchen. Thomass eyes move to
the crack once more.
NANCY (CONTD)
A roast. Potatoes, cabbage and
carrots, bread and goats cheese.
His silence prompts her to poke her face round the corner.
NANCY (CONTD) (contd)
What do you say to that?
Thomas looks back to her smiling face.
THOMAS
Sounds lovely.
INT. THOMASS APARTMENT - DINING ROOM - EVENING
A few decorative plates and a still-life portrait of potted
flowers hang on the brick walls. Thomas and Nancy sit at
opposite ends of a small dining room table.
Nancy, laughing at her own story, continues on. Thomas prods
his dinner with a fork, hardly eating a bite.

4.

Her voice is muffled as Thomas stares distantly at his

plate.
NANCY
(laughing)
And the boy, the boy looks up at me
and says "But maam, the giraffe
costs FIVE Bolivars"!
She laughs harder at this, cueing Thomas to look up and
feign a chuckle.
INT. THOMASS APARTMENT - BEDROOM - NIGHT
The couple lie in bed, Nancy dead asleep as Thomas stares up
at the ceiling; His wrist watch on the table next to him
announces each passing second.
Thomas rolls over and grabs his watch, checking the time:
3:37 a.m.
He carefully leans over Nancy and watches as she sleeps.
Sure she is unaware, Thomas silently lifts the covers and
slips out of bed.
With each step towards he door, hes careful not to make a
sound. Thomas opens the door and slips out into the hall.
INT. THOMASS APARTMENT - STAIRCASE LANDING - NIGHT
Thomas tip-toes through the hall and arrives at the nearly
pitch black landing; his fingers running along the familiar
wall finally arrive at the crack.
He stoops down and aligns his right eye with the crack. All
is dark for a moment.
Suddenly, a light splits the crack and illuminates Thomass
eye. His breath quickens and his arms splay flat against the
wall.