Seeking the Truth By Jacob Ayers

FADE IN: INT. MADELINES BEDROOM - MORNING Madeline (early 20s) is sleeping on her bed. Her room is brightly lit and very clean. Her alarm clock rings at exactly 8 A.M. CUT TO INT. DAVIDS BEDROOM - MORNING David (early 20s) is sleeping on his bed. His room is very dark with dark curtains blocking out the sunlight from his windows. The room is very trashy. Old glasses, used plates, and clothes are littered throughout his room. He just randomly wakes up without an alarm clock at 11:23 A.M. CUT TO INT. MADELINES BEDROOM - MORNING Madeline wakes up, brushes her teeth, takes a shower, and puts on some fresh clothes. CUT TO INT. DAVIDS BEDROOM - MORNING David gets up, grabs some clothes off of the floor and puts on some deodorant. He swigs some mouthwash and leaves his house. CUT TO INT. MADELINES KITCHEN - MORNING Madeline sets what is left of a bowl of cereal into the sink. She makes her way towards the exit of the house. Madeline glances over at a picture of her with her brother Marty. She walks by and hugs her dad. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: MADELINE Library. MADELINES DAD Alright. She leaves her house.

2.

CUT TO TITLE INTRO CUT TO INT. LIBRARY - DAY MONTAGE: As Madeline is on the computer she looks up news articles from around the U.S. She searches up keywords that describe David to find as much information on him as she possibly can. She also keeps a separate word document open where she writes down the most important information. Most of the information that she finds showcases Davids involvement in crime ranging from video cameras catching a "dark haired Caucasian male" robbing a local gas station to being caught selling drugs. The time limit for the usage of the library internet expires and Madeline leaves with all of her notes. FADE TO EXT. SIDEWALK - DAY David is walking along the sidewalk making his way towards Charlies house. He is contemplating about what to say and going through different dialogues in his head. Though he says out loud the dialogue from his end. DAVID Now Charlie I understand why you are very concerned about the gas station robbery. He waits a moment for Charlies response in his head.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: DAVID (CONTD)

3.

Well that is the thing. If they were able to pinpoint who I was. I think that they would have found me Dby now. Dont you? He starts thinking of another possible conversation. DAVID (CONTD) Who was that scouter that was on for this job? It would be in our best interests to fire him. He waits another moment for the response from Charlie. DAVID (CONTD) Because he should have told me about the damn camera. David has arrived at Charlies house. He makes his way up towards his front door and knocks. Charlie quickly opens the door and lets David in. INT. CHARLIES HOUSE - DAY Charlies tone of voice completely contrasts with his facial expressions. CHARLIE Hey man. How have you been? David finds the contrast very strange. DAVID I know that you know how I have been? Charlie walks over towards the blinds on his window and looks through them checking if there are any police cars in the area. CHARLIE What? Charlie goes up to David and grabs his shirt. DAVID What the hell are you doing? Charlie looks down Davids shirt to check if he has a wire on him. He them commences a pat-down to be 100% sure.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

4.

DAVID (CONTD) Ah I get it. CHARLIE Yeah sorry about that man. Lets do a little rewind. Charlie brings David out of the house. EXT. CHARLIES HOUSE - DAY Charlie closes the door on him. David appears confused. CHARLIE (from inside of his house) Knock on the damn door. David knocks. Charlie opens it. CHARLIE Hey Brother! How are you doing? David walks into Charlies house. INT. CHARLIES HOUSE - DAY Charlie and David exchange a "man" hug. Charlies expressions now match his actions. CHARLIE Great to see you back man. DAVID Yeah dude. CHARLIE Sorry about that whole pat down crap. Last time that I saw you was on the news so... DAVID No hard feelings. I would have done the same thing.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED: CHARLIE I guess that is why Big Rick decided we were perfect for each other. DAVID Have you heard anything back on the scout for my last job? CHARLIE Why do you even bother asking? You know what the big man does to loose ends.

5.

Charlie mimics the swing of a pendulum with his finger. While with his other hand he makes the motion as if his fingers are scissors and cuts the string of the pendulum. He shows the pendulum fall into the hand that was just the scissors and he raises them up to his chin as if he is praying. CHARLIE (mimicking the scouts final words) Please dont kill me Ill do anything, it was an honest mistake. Help me god. He uses his hand to mimic a gun going towards his head and he pulls the trigger. DAVID So in short... He has been dealt with. CHARLIE Are you just trying to undermine my beautiful work? David doesnt respond to Charlie. CHARLIE (CONTD) What kind of host am I? Can I get you anything? DAVID Do you have a soda or something along those lines? CHARLIE Yeah sure. Charlie turns away from David. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

6.

David looks down and sees that Charlie has a gun tucked into his pants. They make their way into Charlies kitchen. Charlie makes his way towards his fridge and the moment he goes to open it David grabs his arm, twists it behind his back, presses Charlies head against the kitchen counter and grabs the gun. CHARLIE Son of a-DAVID You better hope that you didnt say anything near the bug that I planted under your couch. Well in addition to everything that you just said. David leads charlie into the other room where Charlies couch is. DAVID (CONTD) I got em boys. Come on in. David forces Charlie onto the couch and continues to point the gun at Charlie to make sure he doesnt try to do anything. Charlie just gives David a death stare. CHARLIE You made a big mistake messing with Big Ricks crew. I have heard what he does to undercover cops. Heard that it involves a soldering iron. DAVID Really? CHARLIE Truly. DAVID Well lemme ask you something. Have I asked you anything regarding my well-being? CHARLIE No.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

7.

DAVID Alright then. Charlie are you in love me? CHARLIE Fuck no. DAVID Then why are you worried about my well-being? I mean I cant see any other reason why you would. CHARLIE When are they getting here so you can piss off? DAVID Answer the question! CHARLIE No. David looks as if he is about to start laughing. DAVID That was a command not a question. David starts to swing his gun towards Charlies face but stops a few inches away so that he doesnt make contact. He then begins laughing hysterically. CHARLIE What? DAVID Get up get up. David imitates the face that Charlie made and continues laughing. David sets the gun down on Charlies coffee table. CHARLIE Why the hell would you do that? DAVID Because it was friggin hilarious. Been waiting all week to do that. CHARLIE Get the hell out.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

8.

DAVID Oh come on Charlie. CHARLIE OUT! DAVID (smiling) Fine. David quickly grabs the gun and points it at him as a joke(let your actor get creative with this one). Then quickly puts it back and walks out. DAVID (CONTD) Make sure to be careful of that couch now. FADE EXT. BUS STOP - AFTERNOON Madeline waits at the bus stop to get to the same city where David was last seen. She avoids other people. A bus pulls up. CUT INT. BUS - AFTERNOON Madeline looks out of the window of the bus during the trip. FADE EXT. BUS STOP - LATER She is now at the city where David robbed the gas station. Madeline looks down on her smart phone and finds all of the nearby gas stations to the one that was robbed by David. There is only one. FADE

9.

EXT. GAS STATION - LATE AFTERNOON MONTAGE: Madeline loiters around the gas station waiting for David to show up knowing that he will eventually have to get gas and that he wont go to the gas station that he robbed. She occasionally goes in to get food. When it gets late she goes to a nearby hotel. She wakes up early and goes back to the gas station. FADE INT. DAVIDS CAR - MORNING David pulls up to the gas station. Be gets out of his car. EXT. DAVIDS CAR - MORNING. He goes through the process of paying for gas. Right when he is about to put the nozzle into his car he sees Madeline on the other side of the car. DAVID What? What the hell are you doing here? Your Martys little sister correct? MADELINE Answers. David seems to tense up. DAVID Just go home girl. MADELINE No. Answers. DAVID Listen girl, I am not going to say anything regarding what happened to your brother. You are wasting your time.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

10.

Madeline shows him a piece of paper in one hand that has his license plate number written down and a phone ready to call 911. This causes Davids arm to twitch and gets his heart pumping. DAVID (CONTD) I am telling you now that you may not want to hear what happened to Marty. A cars horn blares for them to move. DAVID (CONTD) Get in the car. David goes around to the drivers seat side that she is on and gets in. Madeline is reluctant to. INT. DAVIDS CAR - MORNING He rolls down the window. DAVID I have no reason to harm you. She keeps her phones constantly on and ready to dial 911 at any given moment. FADE INT. DAVIDS LIVING ROOM - MORNING They enter Davids living room. DAVID Here take a seat. Madeline sits down on Davids couch. DAVID (CONTD) Now you caught me while I was doing some errands. So you will have to excuse me while I go do them. MADELINE Answers.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

11.

DAVID Sorry girl. Itll only take about half an hour. Help yourself to anything in the fridge. David begins to make his way back outside. MADELINE Police! DAVID Doubt it. David leaves. MONTAGE: Madeline searches everywhere around Davids house while he is gone. She finds a gun. FADE INT. DAVIDS LIVING ROOM - LATER David makes his way into the living room. DAVID Girl where you at? Madeline comes from another room with her gun pointed towards David. MADELINE Answers. DAVID You want a sandwich first? David takes a step closer towards Madeline. MADELINE Answers! Her eyes begin to swell up. David quickly pulls the gun out of her hands. DAVID I figured that no one in their right mind would teach you how to work a gun.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

12.

David smacks the bud end of the gun into the side of Madelines head. FADE INT. DAVIDS BATHROOM - LATER David enters his bathroom. Madeline is now awake and chained up to the pipes of the bathroom sink with handcuffs. DAVID Ah, your awake. MADELINE Answers. DAVID You are not in a position for demands now hun. Madeline looks away. DAVID (CONTD) Just to inform you I have had, since the occurrence with your brother, a very busy and complicated life. Now it is hard to say this. David goes and sits down on the toilet, with the seat down, next to Madeline. DAVID (CONTD) Now you see, Marty was possibly the best friend that I had... that had a positive influence over me. They hear someone enter through Davids front door. David puts his hand over Madelines mouth. DAVID Shh. David leaves his room. David is gone for a while and it is difficult to hear what David and Charlie are saying until...

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

13.

DAVID (O.S.) Dont go in there Charlie. CHARLIE What? Dude I have been holding it in for an hour. Charlie opens the door and sees Madeline who then screams. CHARLIE (CONTD) What the hell? David rushes in and slams Charlies head against the door panel. FADE BLACK INT. DAVIDS BATHROOM - LATER Now both Madeline and Charlie are conscious. David went out and got another set of handcuffs so that Charlie could be attached to the toilet pipes. David enters and sits on the bathtub. CHARLIE Where the hell did you get these handcuffs? DAVID Really that is your first question? Well I didnt have the time to wait for them to be delivered online... Soooo I went to the nearest sex shop. MADELINE Answers. CHARLIE What the hell is wrong with her? DAVID Shut up Charlie. Now as I was saying to you before Charlie interrupted. Your brother was a positive influence to me. CHARLIE Dont listen to a single word that this crazy fuck says.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

14.

DAVID Try me Charlie. Now Girl, after one of the get togethers that your brother used to organize he and I were making our way down the street late at night. CHARLIE I am telling you girl, he probably just followed your brother home one day and killed him in his sleep for no sane reason. DAVID I warned you. David goes charging out of the restroom. CHARLIE (at David while he isnt in the bathroom) Oh what the hell do you plan on doing you piece of shit. Big Rick knew that I was on my way over here, your screwed bro. I can see the pendulum swinging from where I am sitting. If you kill me it will be the soldering iron! David bursts into the room with a wooden bat and begins beating Charlie to death. Madeline screams in terror. Once David is done he looks over towards Madeline. In a fit of rage David slams the baseball bat against the floor until is breaks into shatters in every direction into small pieces. David looks over towards Madeline as if he is about to say something to her. He then rushes out of the restroom. Madelines eyes. She looks over towards a piece of shattered wood that she can reach. Back to her eyes. She looks over towards Charlies dead body. Back to her eyes. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

15.

She grabs the piece of wood and hides it behind her. Back to her eyes that are beginning to swell up with tears. FADE WHITE INT. BUILDING - AFTERNOON Madelines brother, Marty, is hosting a support group for people with severe mental issues. There is roughly 8-12 people in a cirle that include Marty, David, and Madeline. MARTY I greatly appreciate all of you who came today. Special apprecation to those of which spoke. Those of you who didnt I believe will find the solace that you came here for by speaking up. I greatly encourage doing so next week. Everyone gets up and begin to make their way out. Some of them shake Martys hand. David lays back and Madeline is right next to Marty. Madeline and Marty exit the building after everyone except for David. EXT. BUILDING - AFTERNOON Madeline and Marty see their mother parked. Marty and Madeline hug. Their mother comes up and takes the picture that was framed at the beginning. MARTY Ill see you tomorrow Maddy. MADELINE I love you. MARTY I love you too. Madeline goes off with her mother. After they have left David approaches Marty.

(CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

16.

MARTY Hey, David Correct? DAVID Yeah. MARTY Whats up? Why didnt you speak today? David at this time was very introverted, if he didnt have the same body as his future self, you wouldnt know that he is the same person. They begin walking. DAVID I dont feel like I have much to... offer. MARTY It isnt so much for the other people as it is for yourself. So it doesnt really matter. DAVID I would feel more comfortable if I knew what was wrong with me first. MARTY Well what if you spoke to everyone and someone knew exactly what was wrong? Its all anonymous for a reason. DAVID I know, I know. Davids hand trembles a little bit from nervousness. MARTY Oh come on David ease up. There is no reason to be nervous while speaking with me. DAVID I know you have told me that multiple times, but it still doesnt change anything. They reach an alleyway. MARTY Well I am not sure what else to say. (CONTINUED)

CONTINUED:

17.

A twitchy looking man comes out of the alleyway and holds the two men at gun-point. MUGGER Empty your pockets. Phones, wallets... everything. MARTY Okay... Okay, there is no reason for anyone to get hurt. MUGGER Yeah so stop talking and do as I say! David looks terrified and nervous... On the verge of breaking mentally. The mugger looks at him. MUGGER Well what are you waiting for?! MARTY Dont make him nervous. MUGGER Shut the hell up! MARTY Calm down. Mary moves his hands too quickly to put them in a calming position. The Mugger takes this the wrong way and shoots Marty in the gut. David immediately sprints across the street. The Mugger tries picking off a few more shots, but misses because his hands are too shaky. FADE BLACK CREDITS