The Letter

“The Letter”
The World of Governmental Power in a Horror Movie
By
Matilda I. Wright

December 21st, 2023

 1

CHARACTERS
OBAMA, 62
MAILA, 25
Malia’s Apartment
The present, early afternoon
EXCERPT
Obama is sitting in an aged yet mid-centric apartment waiting
for his daughter, Malia, to get ready for a family visit.

There is mail stacked across the apartment floor, some

letters from friends as others differ. Obama becomes curious,
picking up a letter for the fun of it to realize his sudden
discomfort. The address was sent to his daughter’s apartment,
but he only realized that the letter had his name on it.
Unfolding the letter: he’s summoned to a place he left
several years ago.

The White House.

 2

Scene I-1: OBAMA NOTICES SOMETHING WRONG

(OBAMA sits back on a fluffy couch. He flips through his

phone, mumbling.)
MALIA enters, quietly
MALIA
Dad? What’s going on?
OBAMA
Don’t worry. Just reading the news.
MALIA
Oh?
OBAMA
Yeah.
A long pause quiets the room
MALIA
I’m sorry, but are you sure that’s all? What’s got you cooped up
all of a sudden?
(MAILA takes the phone from Obama and pokes around him
for a few seconds)
So? Will you tell me now?
OBAMA sighs, sitting up.
OBAMA
It’s just, don’t get mad at me.
MALIA
Dad. I can’t get mad at you.
(MALIA smiles, handing back the phone.)
OBAMA
(Staring at the door)
Well, I saw you had a bit of mail there, and I wanted to see
what it was all about: but I saw that one’ of the letters was
addressed to my name. So, I got curious and read a bit to see.
MALIA
See what?
OBAMA
It’s a bit hard to stomach.
 3

MALIA
So what? I can handle it.
OBAMA
I’m not sure if I should even be showing you this hun.
The long pause comes to quiet the room,
again.
MALIA
When have I ever been someone to give up, Dad?

OBAMA
You know what? I think you’re old enough.
MALIA
Thank you!
OBAMA
Old enough to know to mind your own business, hun.
MALIA
Dad!
(MALIA huffs and sighs, pushing him to the side before
laughing.)

OBAMA
I’ll be back later, Malia.
(OBAMA laughs with her, a small sense of tranquility
is relieved.)
MALIA
Really? You just got here!

OBAMA
I promise! It won’t be long.
MALIA
Dad!
(MALIA extrudates her words.)

O.S: OBAMA leaves off-screen, hobbled away with that long

relief. That tranquility is something he wants to protect,
something that he wouldn’t dare tamper with. So, the idea or
even the sense of putting his daughter in danger was out of the
 4

question. Little did he realize, he left the letter open on the

side of him.

MALIA opens the letter back up. As she read to every grit and
detail.
 5

NARRATOR V.O

Dear, the POTUS

Family is precious, right? Family is something worth protecting.

Even through all the mishaps and the problems you’ve been
exposed to: family will always be the number one in every
circumstance. When I ask you if your family is all these things
I’ve proclaimed, would you believe me?

Of course. It’s the only logical answer. Correct. So when I ask

you to protect it: you will, right? Would you do anything to
protect your family? Would you protect your family? I’m afraid
it won’t be possible without you reading very closely between
these next lines. You will arrive in Washington D.C. by
midnight. This evening will give you a chance to see your,
precious, family before they are left behind to the rest of us.

I’m not here to ask rhetorical questions. I’m here to demand

rhetorical answers.

The White House is waiting for you.

(WRITTEN ON THE BACK IS ANOTHER PORTION OF THE

LETTER)

You can not stop us.

We have your future.
Are you afraid?
Death to America.
Death to You.
All is Great
 6

CHARACTERS
OBAMA, 62
TRUMP, 77
BIDEN, 81
HARRIS, 59
SANDERS, 82
The White House
The present, late evening
EXCERPT
Obama enters the room, stunned to see similar positions
surrounding him.

The White House Conference Office. A bleak yet sleek way to be

welcomed by all news reporters and journalists alike. The room
is plastered with cryptic writings across the walls. Some
threatening man-kind to others demanding destruction. The
presidential figures/candidates analyze the room. Discussing
what can be decided next
 7

Scene I-2: THE FUTURE IS FORETOLD

(A piece of pleasure interrupts sweet slumber: for what

can only be known as mystery reminisces itself as
something beyond it. Only were the windows open and the
only source of light in this dreaded room.)
BIDEN enters, significantly touched up
BIDEN
What’s the matter of this meeting?
TRUMP follows, touched up in a tan tie
TRUMP
As if I would know, it’s been a bit since we last talked.
BIDEN
That is certainly apparent.
TRUMP
I need to ask you something–
HARRIS enters, perked up, wearing a white
mesh.
HARRIS
Ask of what?
TRUMP
Nothing. Is there any meaning to this meeting? I don’t suspect
you know either as to why the lights have been turned off.
HARRIS
I suspect there has to be some sort of switch around here
somewhere.
TRUMP
TRUMP looks ahead, spotting the switch
Ah, found it—
(Suddenly, the color of the room shortly
shifts from a light sky blue to a red-auburn. Bleaching the
scenery by the touch.)
Silence fills the room, TRUMP speaks up
What’s the meaning of this?
ANOTHER WALK IN, OBAMA.
OBAMA
That’s a great question.
 8

HARRIS
Barrack too? What are we even doing here?

OBAMA
Wait… Do you hear that?

ANOTHER WALK IN, SANDERS. HE WORE TAN

KHAKIS.

OBAMA
Oh. Hello, welcome back Bernie.
OBAMA takes a seat on a lounging chair.
SANDERS
Welcome back to this!? Why is the room red!?
BIDEN
That’s such an interesting proposition.
TRUMP
Let’s focus on the actual problem we have here, and talk about
the unaccompanied paper in the middle of the room.
BIDEN
What paper?
TRUMP
Look.
HARRIS
Oh my god.
From what only could be identified was
cryptic writing splattered across the walls,
what lay awake was a large and printed
letter that lay in front of the podium.
TRUMP
What does it say?
HARRIS
That the moment we pick up this letter, is the moment we let our
reality fall apart?
TRUMP
Wait, let me read that!
 9

NARRATOR V.O

Everyone

Mistakes are abided by the ones who make them. Mistakes are
curated by the ones who fuel them. So I will fuel you to make
these mistakes. I will fuel your desires to be your last.

An infectious desire to leave this place will soon become a

haunted memory. What I have to offer is nothing of the sort:
just a waste away of space and time that will never be given
back. I cannot promise you that life will be easy now. All I can
say is that the cryptic sides of your future have ended and now
arisen for world havoc.

America is in danger. America is ours. Your moments will be

placed on live television as fast as you breathe in these final
days. For the next 8 hours, you have to show your truth to
everyone provided. Show who you are.

The first person to kill the imposter among you is the first
person permitted to escape. Only if they can escape.

There are knives beneath the table. Take a look if you’re truly
interested in my offer. You have nothing to lose now.

(AGAIN, WRITTEN ON THE BACK IS ANOTHER PORTION OF

THE LETTER)

You can not stop us.

We have your future.
Are you afraid?
Death to America.
Death to You.
All is Great
 10

OBAMA
This has to be some sort of attack.
OBAMA takes a step back, shrouding at the
thought.
SANDERS
An attack is certain, what kind of organization is this?
BIDEN
Where they originated from isn’t the issue at hand, but instead,
where they came from is a different story.
TRUMP
Beware, the decisions we make now may be our last if we aren’t
careful.
The room flickers back to life, revealing
slashes of cryptic writing to make a
singular word. Die.
HARRIS
Well, we know what they want.
BIDEN
Have we checked all ways of escape? Leaving isn’t a solution?
TRUMP
You’re right. We have to ensure that they are telling the truth.
Test the door, Sanders.
SANDERS
Of course, it has to be me.
Ruffling at what used to be an open door was
locked tight, leaving no room for spare. The
presidential figures were trapped.
SANDERS
No budge.
HARRIS
Are you sure there isn’t any way to get out of here? Anyway at
all?
OBAMA
It’s not looking like it.
 11

HARRIS
Wait. They mentioned something within the letter.
OBAMA
Mentioned what? Do you have a proposition you’d like to impose,
Harris?
HARRIS
They mentioned we’re being watched.
SANDERS
Hey, she’s right. She’s right for once: there has to be some
sort of media reporting this!
OBAMA
I’d watch your tone if that is the case.
SANDERS
You’re right.
HARRIS
Nonetheless, we need to find a way to escape and make it fast.
We cannot let the hands of America be, well, compromised,
because of our hiccup(s).
BIDEN
What can we do to escape? Are there any ideas?
TRUMP
Isn’t it obvious?
BIDEN
What would that be, Donald?
TRUMP
We do what’s said in the letter.
BIDEN
Pardon?
HARRIS
I’m sorry, excuse me.
OBAMA
I can’t believe you’d just say that.
TRUMP
It’s the truth, Barrack, whether you like it or not it’s what we
must do to survive this.
 12

HARRIS
Have you lost your damn mind!? What would make you think of all
conclusions, that would be the most sensible?
TRUMP
Well? It’s not such a bad proposition whatsoever. Maybe you
should consider it, Harris. You seem defensive enough for it.
HARRIS
It’s not a bad idea if you had some senses coming through that
thick skull of yours. We are talking about life or death here
Trump. Not just us, but the people of America!
HARRIS raised her voice, practically
screaming at this rate.
TRUMP
So act like it, Kamala. Act like it.
 13

CHARACTERS
OBAMA, 62
TRUMP, 77
BIDEN, 81
HARRIS, 59
SANDERS, 82
4 Hours In
Present, Night
EXCERPT
Obama is faced with a proposition to save America and his
family.

What is at stake is the survival of most: and Obama fails to

have either. In conclusion, he tries his hardest to solve this
predominant issue: whilst trying to keep the waters cool.
However, something happens to both parties that keeps everyone
uncivilized and unclear for the future. This was the death of a
past vice president: Joe Biden.
 14

Scene I-3: 4 HOURS IN

(A piece of pleasure interrupts sweet slumber: for
what can only be known as mystery reminisces itself as
something beyond it. Only were the windows open and
the only source of light in this dreaded room.)

HARRIS
It’s been four and a half hours since we’ve been in this drubbed
room and we still haven’t made any progress whatsoever.
TRUMP
Kamala, we’ve scooped the entire room. There isn’t much to say
other than the enlarged camera and beckoning paper that stands
before us.
HARRIS
All that I’m saying is that it’s a bad idea. For the betterment
of the people, it’d be good to keep away from the damned thing.
Again, HARRIS contemplates the paper
before staring back at TRUMP.
TRUMP
He whispers, almost in a slight hush in
comparison to the others.
I’d say you’re the one person in this room who’s probably
considering it the most, isn’t that right?
HARRIS
And why would you make that decision?
TRUMP
You’re the one who keeps feeling defensive the moment I even
mention the word, “Paper”.
HARRIS
I’m not.
TRUMP
You most definitely are, Kamala.
HARRIS
Must I remind you of the reason as to why you got impeached? Or
should public media be the ones to do it themselves?
 15

TRUMP
The falsification of my impeachment empowered me in the end
Kamala. Something that would be irresponsible for you, and don’t
infer that I said that to be sexist.
HARRIS
This is enough bickering, we have to keep a level head.
TRUMP
I’d like to watch you try.
OBAMA
Enough!
OBAMA slams his hands on the table
SANDERS
Right.
OBAMA
All I’ve done in the last hour is listen to you both fight over
who’s considering the terrorists deal and all I have to say is
stop.
BIDEN
No one is getting anywhere with the attitude you have, Trump.
OBAMA
Oh my god, not you too, Joe.
HARRIS
No, no Barrack let him speak.
TRUMP
Whosever idea was to make him president has to talk to have had
been bored out of their mind.
OBAMA
Enough! Again! Please!
OBAMA screamed, but he was
unfortunately too deep into this
disputed disaster.
NARRATOR
A knife to the chest is all it took. A
knife, a singular one.

The deal had already been made the life had

already been taken. Lights flickered back
and forth during the argument as the room
 16

stopped. BIDEN looked hot and feverish.

Lights shun to reveal the untangled body.

SANDERS
Oh my god!
HARRIS
You have got to be kidding me.
NARRATOR

There laid Joe Biden, stridden across the

marbelized flooring.

His corpse stayed still as the silky red liquid

slipped between the man’s skull. It was a brunt
attack. A loosened one. Silence consumed them
whole.

TRUMP
What… happened?
HARRIS
What happened? Is that truly your first question?
SANDERS
What happened is that he’s dead, alright! He’s dead and there's
no way to prove who did it in this stinking’ room.
HARRIS
How can you react so calmly?!
SANDERS
Did that sound calm?
TRUMP
The point wasn’t meant to be taken so literally, just: how did
it come to this?
OBAMA
Your guess is as good as mine, Donald.
TRUMP
It had to have been someone messing with the lights. The
terrorist group, anything.
OBAMA
No. That I’m afraid I can’t agree with.
 17

TRUMP
Why not?
OBAMA
It had to have been someone, here. Someone in the room. Someone
who disliked him so much that they couldn’t even bear to hear
what he had to say next.
TRUMP
Oh, don’t tell me.
OBAMA
It has to be one of us.
HARRIS
Well, that’s easy.
OBAMA
Really?
HARRIS
Really.
OBAMA
And what would be your argument?
HARRIS
It’d have to be Donald.
TRUMP
Oh, oh okay: yeah, target the guy who just so happens to be on
the opposite side of you Kamala.
HARRIS
It’d only make sense.
TRUMP
As to why? Why would it make so much sense for you? Oh, now I
know why, because it’s the most practical for someone like you,
Kamala.
OBAMA
Not again, No. The both of you need to remain civil for this to
work. We need to find a conclusion for this. A solution. The
letter mentioned that.
TRUMP
You’re right Barrack, we should make that case clear at least.
SANDERS
Then this should be simple.
 18

TRUMP
What were the clear motives for killing Biden, was it because he
knew something we didn’t?
OBAMA
Or maybe he was going to say something that wasn’t exactly
something he should have considered.
TRUMP
It is a clear densification.
OBAMA
You’re not off the hook, Donald, I’d watch my tongue.
HARRIS
I agree with you, Barrack.
OBAMA
Neither are you, Harris.
HARRIS
Oh?
OBAMA
We need to analyze this carefully, and thoroughly. One moment,
Joe was alive. The next he was gone. There has to be something
to justify that.
SANDERS
Maybe it was a sudden attack? Don’t sudden attacks deserve
sudden movements?
OBAMA
Correct.
SANDERS
Then let’s stop wasting time, we need to find the murderer and
we need to find them fast.
HARRIS
Couldn’t that mean it has to be one of us?
TRUMP
I’m afraid so.
 19

CHARACTERS
SWAT TEAM,?
CIVILIANS,?
TUCKER CARLSON, 54
5 ½ Hours In
Night, present
EXCERPT
The SWAT Team attempted to get inside, checking and analyzing
the root cause of this attack.

A swarm of military is at the White House attempting to make

traction inside the building as soon as possible. However, they
receive news that even if they attempt to break inside: all
presidential figures would be killed on the spot. In this
attempt, they try to work underground. Ejecting the thought of
breaking inside outdoors but instead searching for ways inside
within usage of the sewage system. This works as they find the
base to where these terrorist attacks are beginning.
 20

Scene I-4: 5 ½ HOURS IN

(Flashing lights enter the scene, and news reporters
flee into the scene: trying to get a better grasp by
helicopters and trucks.)

TUCKER
(Informative, almost robotic)
On numerous occasions, we’re here today to discuss the matter of
a lifetime.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
I believe that would be the understatement of the century,
Tucker. As we are live-witnessing a horror of instantaneous mass
destruction.
TUCKER
Each terrorist attack posed different challenges throughout the
year and has tested our diligence properly within the EPA of our
employees.
Slight pause
TUCKER
(Picks up a pen, begins to toy with it up
and down)
It’s important to reference the diligence within it: and what
can truly make this diligence worth our efforts.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
(Staring dead pan into camera)
And what would that be, Tucker?
TUCKER
That America can fall at any given moment if we don’t play our
cards right here.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
Oh? Why would that be the case? What makes that so apparent in
comparison to the others?
TUCKER
Within the last few decades, we’ve trained to respond to
emergencies: especially with dealing with terroristic attacks
against our presidents. However, I don’t think I can just brush
 21

it off when we say that the future of this attack would be

uncharted territory.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
I believe that’s the cause too, Tucker. I don’t think we, as a
society, were ready for such an attack.

TUCKER
Unfortunately, that may be the case, Megan.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
Do you have any ideas for combating this theory?
TUCKER
Despite these difficulties, the problem within our nation of
these types of terrorist attacks has been delivered by the FBI:
as they have risen to the challenge and worked tirelessly over
the past many months to clean and resolve these types of issues.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
So are you saying there still is hope for us, Tucker?
TUCKER
I believe there's more than just hope for us, Megan.
MEGAN: NEWS EXTRA
What would that be?
TUCKER
I believe the truth will reveal this disaster.

O.S: TUCKER and MEGAN pann off-screen, referencing a Sergeant at

the White House. Intense light flickers the transition,
revealing two silhouettes staring at an underground map.

SERGEANT MARCUS
What’s our final protocol?

SOLDIER: EXTRA
Our protocol is to move through the sewers and that’s if they’ll
let us. Looking back at this now, our defenses aren’t as stable
as we’d like them to be.
 22

SERGEANT MARCUS
So we move from the front and proceed through the sewers. There
has to be a workaround around this.

SOLDIER: EXTRA
Whether leading decontamination efforts, developing technical
response plans, or facilitating the work with our other
partners. I want to give you all a line of duty.
(Long pause reveals a crowd of swat members
beyond him)
A work effort that would be known for lifetimes to come. Our
future resides here and now and I need you to stay alert.
SOLDIER: EXTRA
Yes, sir.
SERGEANT MARCUS
Good, move in.
 23

CHARACTERS
OBAMA, 62
TRUMP, 77
HARRIS, 59
SANDERS, 82
7 ½ Hours In
Night, end-scene
EXCERPT
Missionaries are set in place to distinguish what’s wrong and
what's right. Society has placed this rule

Obama reveals who had to have murdered Biden, making a clear

distinction as to why they’d cause a murderous attempt in the
first place. This would lead to a long debate as to why Kamala
would attempt such a mishap in the first place: and how it came
to be. What is revealed is made trivial against the group: and
causes Kamala to be arrested for her wrong-doings.
 24

Scene I-5: 7 ½ HOURS IN

(Blood trickles fall onto the ones beyond the group of
figures. They all wonder in silence, some puzzled as
others are more in shock.)

OBAMA
It wasn’t that long that the lights were off, which infers that
it had to have been someone close to Biden at the time of the
incident.
HARRIS
That can rule out Barrack and Sanders.
DONALD
But it can’t outrule you, Kamala.
HARRIS
Neither yourself, Donald.
SANDERS
Can we get back on the main topic here?
OBAMA
You’re right Bernie.
SANDERS
Glad I can help.
OBAMA
Could there have been an accomplice?
OBAMA stands back from the decaying
body before taking a closer look.
Spotting the knife placement in the
back of the skull.
HARRIS
How would that be?
DONALD
Simple enough, someone must have talked among another and got to
appropriately stab the man in the skull!
OBAMA
It wasn’t clear who talked to whom when we scrounged the
conference room: it could have been anyone.
 25

DONALD
Well, let's list out who grouped to figure out the room.
OBAMA
That could work.
HARRIS
Yes, but wouldn’t some others just lie?
SANDERS
I agree with Kamala, it would make more sense to just list who
was close to whom.
OBAMA
Unfortunately, that wouldn’t work either. Anyone could have
moved in the dark to find a light-ficture.
HARRIS
Yes, but, the letter said it.
OBAMA
(Questioning)
Said what?
HARRIS
(She sighs, almost in relief)
That it would give us the necessary tools to do what it wants
with time. Wouldn’t that mean it’d infer what time it’d strike
the broken lights?
(A long jeopardizing pause causes tension to
strike.)
TRUMP
That means someone had to have a secluded time with the camera
to ask for the time given.
HARRIS
(Aggressively)
Time is money, Donald. They had to have a motive.
TRUMP
You’re saying that as if you didn’t.
OBAMA
Stop, both of you. Understand the circumstances here.
 26

(Again, they paused, leaving the room with

full silence before analyzing the body once
more.)
OBAMA
He had gotten stabbed in the skull, nothing repetitive just a
final shot. It was only one attack that took place in between
the interval of time that the lights were out.
SANDERS
Wait!
OBAMA
Yes?
SANDERS
Look on the back of his shoulder!
Suddenly, the camera pans to BIDEN’s
shoulder. There is a white string attached
to the side.
OBAMA
You’re right. There are traces of evidence left on the back of
his shoulder.
TRUMP
Who’s the only person in this room wearing white?
HARRIS
You, Bernie, and–
TRUMP
Yourself. Harris.
HARRIS
That isn’t enough evidence for it to be me! Your tie is
blatantly the same color!
TRUMP
I’m more than sure there is enough evidence.
HARRIS
And how could that be? I doubt your logic here.
TRUMP
Well, Bernie’s wearing tanned khakis… so if we were to link the
colors up…
 27

TRUMP took the string off of the corpse, and

hung it up to Bernie’s pants for proof that
they don’t align.
HARRIS
So?
TRUMP
If that’s the case. Then it should align with my tie, correct?
HARRIS
Of course.
TRUMP
Again, TRUMP took the same string and aligned it
with his tie for proof. The colors didn’t align.
Almost an immediate contrast was appropriate.
See? Case proven.
OBAMA
Kamala, I think it’s only appropriate for you to reference the
sweater you’re wearing.
TRUMP
(Laughing)
It’s only fair.
HARRIS
This isn’t proving anything.
TRUMP
What does it have to prove? Prove that you killed Joe?
HARRIS
(Nervously)
No!
TRUMP
Then why won’t you put the string to your sweater? They aren’t
the same color, right?
HARRIS
(Stalling)
What if this wasn’t my string? What then?
 28

TRUMP
We’ll only know if you test the waters.
HARRIS
You can’t make me!
TRUMP
Of course I can, just look at the resemblance.
TRUMP takes the string and swings it in HARRIS’S
direction: proving an exact match.
HARRIS
No! No, no no!
TRUMP
Who would’ve guessed?
OBAMA
It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
SANDERS
You’re damn’ right it wasn’t supposed to be this way, what way
would it have been!? All of us dead in this trapped room? Oh,
we’re already experiencing that now!
OBAMA
You couldn’t have been more right Bernie. We still need to find
a way out of here.
NARRATOR

Suddenly, a letter pops out of a dispenser near

the previous one. This letter was opposed to the
black coloring but instead, pitch red.

Again the lights flicker: taking HARRIS off

stage.
 29

NARRATOR V.O

Everyone,

Mistakes are abided by the ones who make them. Mistakes are
curated by the ones who fuel them. So I will fuel you to make
these mistakes. I will fuel your desires to be your last.

An infectious desire to leave this place will soon become a

haunted memory. What I have to offer is nothing of the sort:
just a waste away of space and time that will never be given
back. I cannot promise you that life will be easy now. All I can
say is that the cryptic sides of your future have ended and now
arisen for world havoc.

America is in danger. America is ours. Your moments will be

placed on live television as fast as you breathe in these final
days. For the next 8 hours, you have to show your truth to
everyone provided. Show who you are.

The first person to kill the imposter among you is the first
person permitted to escape. Only if they can escape.

There are knives beneath the table. Take a look if you’re truly
interested in my offer. You have nothing to lose now.

(SAME WRITING AS PREVIOUS, EXCEPT ONE SENTENCE

WRITTEN ACROSS THE ENTIRETY OF THE PAGE)

This experiment took you:

8 HOURS ½ MINUTES
 30

The End
“The Letter”
The World of Governmental Power in a Horror Movie
By Matilda Wright

Editing by Matilda Wright

Writing by Matilda Wright
Arts and Props by Matilda Wright

Merchandise Design by Matilda Wright

Merchandise Purchasing by Matilda Wright
Sweat and Tears by Matilda Wright

20+ hours of Effort by Matilda Wright

Musical Instrument Making by Matilda Wright
Musical Playlist by Matilda Wright

Artwork by Matilda Wright

This Entire Apollo Project by Matilda Wright
Crimes Against Humanity by Matilda Wright