FRAGMENTS

Written by

Brian Connolly

b2c3@live.com
647-269-1195
1 INT. LUXURIOUS HOUSE - ENTRANCEWAY - DAY 1

The front door is opened from the outside. A woman enters,

MARY (30s) wearing a beautifully sensible outfit. She turns
back to face the door.

Her smile fades as she closes the door slowly.

Mary turns to find a man at the kitchen entrance, DAVID (30s)

pulls an apron over his head exposing his dress shirt and
pants. He tosses it aside.

Mary forces a heavy smile at David as he approaches and

initiates a hug. She’s hesitant to grab hold, but does, and
allows it to linger. He pulls back and walks away.

Mary watches him disappear into the kitchen. She admires the
home’s entranceway, gazes up at the silver turtles migrating
along the staircase wall. They lead to a wide painting of a
coastal town sunset.

She turns around, bumps into french doors that lead to an

office. She’s confused after noticing the mess inside. She
walks away toward a set of doors that lead into the

2 DINING ROOM 2

Mary enters the room, opening both doors simultaneously.

The large table has an opened bottle of champagne, a pitcher

of orange juice, wine flutes, and two places set.

Mary turns to see David through the open doorframe plating

their meal. She smiles and moves closer. She turns to admire
a painting near the doorframe. She walks back to the table.

Mary pours the champagne and tops them with orange juice.

David enters the room and places their food down. He pulls
out the chair for her to sit down.

David sits, picks up his glass, and raises it toward Mary.

She raises her glass to his. They clink.

Mary raises the glass, it stops before it touches her lips.

The wall behind David is empty.

MARY
(confused, upset)
The painting. It’s gone.
 2.

David looks over at the empty wall curiously.

MARY
The frozen ice. The sunset.

The empty wall -- quick flashes of the painting in its place.

Mary’s stare lingers. There’s is only her and the empty wall.

David places his hand atop Mary’s left hand; a wedding band
and a steel bracelet.

She looks down, at their hands as he gathers their plates and

leaves.

3 KITCHEN 3

Mary enters and leans against the island countertop as David

finishes tidying. He nears as she avoids eye contact.

MARY
(convincing herself)
This isn’t perfect.

He raises her chin so that they lock eyes.

DAVID
Is it close? Close enough?

He leans in and kisses her gently on the lips. Her angst

fades as she places her hand on the back of his neck.

4 INT. LUXURIOUS HOUSE - MASTER BEDROOM - LATER 4

David and Mary lie in bed. She turns away to face the edge.
He sits and leans up over her concerned.

MARY
(emotionless)
This isn’t good enough.

DAVID
What’s wrong my love?

MARY
(upset)
Too much of this isn’t right.

Mary throws the blanket off and begins to gather her clothing
while sitting up. She uses them to cover up and make her way
to the bathroom.
 3.

DAVID
(short temper)
Hey, where do you think you’re
going!?

David watches confused, while grabbing a nearby shirt and

pulling it over his head.

5 MASTER BATHROOM 5

Mary is dressed and sitting atop the toilet lid. She stares
down at her hands as they tremble in her lap. She spins her
wedding band, then bracelet.

Mary stares at herself in the mirror above the sink

completely still. She nods reassuringly at her reflection
having just reached an internal agreement.

6 MASTER BEDROOM 6

Mary opens the bathroom door, she’s startled as David is

standing close to the door.

DAVID
(slow, serious)
What were you doing in there?

Mary averts her eyes, shoves him out of the way to pass.

MARY
(defensive)
Nothing.

He follows her as she nears the closed bedroom door. She

places her hand on the knob -- SLAM! He places his hand on
the door.

She lets go of the knob, turns to face him. She’s terrified

as he is unable to control his anger.

DAVID
(serious)
You lie.

She is slowly reaching into her pocket as he forces her to

take a few steps back.

DAVID
(slow, serious)
Why must you lie, all the time? I
thought you had told me everything?
Everything you’ve done.
 4.

She pulls out a small silver remote. Hits the main button.

David removes his hand from the door suddenly and grabs his
head in agony -- a silent tone brings him to his knees.

Mary quickly exits the room and slams the door shut.

7 INT. UNKNOWN BUILDING - HALLWAY - DAY 7

Mary breathes heavily as she stares at the gray metal door of

an entirely different location.

She fixes her now grayish hair and adjusts her pantsuit while
regaining her composure. She’s aged twenty years.

A WOMAN (20s), perfectly made-up and dressed in black stands

just left of Mary.

Mary notices the Woman. Mary then looks to her right to see
the MAN (20s) dressed in black in front of a similar door.

The Woman waits patiently for Mary to address her.

MARY
(exhausted)
Simulation unsuccessful.

WOMAN
(emotionless)
Opening log of faulty fragments --

MARY
-- Cancel, cancel.

WOMAN
Done.
(watches Mary)
The code was never built to
withhold such radical
modifications...

MARY
(under her breath)
I was never strong enough.

WOMAN
These improper fragments, the
variabilities will prove too great
to overcome.

Mary turns to face the door.

 5.

MARY
(frustrated)
How many other rooms have reported
fragment issues?

The Woman closes her eyes -- they begin to flutter with

‘REM’. Mary watches. The Woman’s eyes open.

WOMAN
Ninety-nine percent have resulted
in, unfortunate fatalities for
participants.

Mary turns back to face her.

MARY
(surprised, intrigued)
One, one-percent? Who are they?
Which floor?

The Woman grins and walks away. Mary follows.

The Woman calls the elevator. Mary approaches and stands

beside her.

WOMAN
Sixth floor. A man, James Cooper.

Mary grins with hope.

The elevator doors open.

FADE OUT.