OMINOUS THRILL

SLEEP TIGHT
Written by

JEFF SCHMIDT

A woman suffering from insomnia experiences life-changing results

using a new high-tech sleep app. But when nightmares of brutal
murders seem to come true, her over-protective mother is forced to
share dark family secrets.
1 INT. NINA'S APT, BROOKLYN - MORNING 1

The BUSY City RUMBLES outside. NINA is running late, PACES

trying to get OUT the door.

Her CELL VIBRATES.

SIRI
Call From... VIVIAN. Answer it?

NINA
Sure, pile on... Yes.

BEEP as Nina continues PACING about.

NINA (CONT’D)
Hey Mom.

VIVIAN
Nina, how are you?

NINA
Late, again. What’s up?

VIVIAN
Have you been sleeping?

NINA
No sleep til death, apparently.

VIVIAN
I don't like it when you talk that
way.

Text message DINGS. Nina CHECKS it. GRUNTS

NINA
Right, sorry.

VIVIAN
Can you visit? This weekend?

DING. Another text.

NINA
Uhhh, no. Maybe next, oh wait, I
can’t.

VIVIAN
Nina... I’ve been worried and...
having thoughts about you.
 2.

NINA
Thanks for calling them thoughts
for a change.

Text DINGS.

VIVIAN
I know you don’t understand.

NINA
You never tell me what you’re so
worried about, so...

Text DINGS.

NINA (CONT’D)
Shit.

VIVIAN
It’s because I love you, Nina.

NINA
I know. Luv you too, Mom.

Text DINGS - Nina’s anxiety RATCHETS.

NINA (CONT’D)
Ugh, listen, Tessa is blowing up my
phone; I gotta go.

VIVIAN
Call me later, please.

NINA
Promise, bye.

Nina ENDS the call - EXITS TO:

2 INT. LAMPIER DESIGN AGENCY OFFICE, NYC - MORNING - LATER 2

Nina STRIDES across the INTENSE office, PASSING a DESK

ATTENDANT.

DESK ATTENDANT
Tessa Lampier Design, please hold.
(aloud)
Nina! Tessa is looking for you.

Nina's phone DINGS again as she passes.

NINA
Yup, aware.
 3.

Nina CROSSES the office. Voices grow CHAOTIC around her.

OFFICE WALLA
Brought this upon herself. Not so
untouchable. Always getting away
with shit like that. How could she
do this? Too arrogant for her own
good.

The overlapping voices CLIMAX TO:

3 INT. TESSA'S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 3

TESSA LAMPIER: Female, 50s in CHARGE and PISSED.

Nina enters Tessa’s office. NERVOUS.

NINA
Hey Tessa, what’s up?

TESSA
Jesus Christ shut the door.

Nina CLOSES the door and SITS. Takes a DEEP breath.

NINA
Look, I know...

TESSA
CHIKARI (shi-Car-ee) walked.

NINA
What!?

TESSA
They pulled the account.

NINA
Everything?

TESSA
Do you know why?

NINA
I know I've been a bit behind...

TESSA
Behind? You sent their designs to
Park Floral.

NINA
What?!
 4.

TESSA
You broke the N.D.A!

Nina's mind RACES.

NINA
Uhh, no, that's not possible... Are
you sure I sent it?

Tessa CLACKS on her computer keyboard.

TESSA
You missed five client consults.
Your team reports that you're "un-
focused,” "disorganized,” "spaced
out.”

NINA
Who said that?

TESSA
Whatever you're on, Nina, it's the
wrong shit!

NINA
But I'm not on anything!
(sotto)
Finally.

Tessa SNAPS her fingers.

TESSA
Wake up, Nina! Everyone here needs
to "optimize." Best idea wins,
remember?

NINA
I wasn't sleeping, so I stopped
taking...

TESSA
I got CHIKARI back on board.

NINA
Oh, good. How?

TESSA
You're out.

Nina goes on the defensive - it's weak.

 5.

NINA
No, that's MY account; I brought
them in, developed the whole
strategy, and...

TESSA
Then you shit the bed.

NINA
I can fix it, I swear I can...

TESSA
Chad is taking over.

NINA
Chad!? He's...

TESSA
(interrupting)
...he’s been running circles around
you for weeks.

NINA
Give me a chance to fix this.

Tessa TOSSES her phone on the desk.

TESSA
This isn't rehab. I don't do
repairs.

Nina SINKS in her chair.

Tessa SLIDES an envelope across the desk.

TESSA (CONT’D)
Your severance agreement. Stop off
at H.R. to sign it on your way out.

NINA
So that's it?

TESSA
That's it.

Nina GRABS the envelope. Gets up. OPENS the door EXITS.

TESSA (CONT’D)
Nina!

NINA
Yeah?
 6.

TESSA
Get your shit together.

Nina walks out to:

4 INT. OFFICE COMMON AREA - CONTINUOUS 4

NINA’s friend CARLA is waiting.

CARLA
Neens, You ok? I’m so sorry!

NINA
Uhh, yeah, thanks, Carla.

CARLA
Drinks later? On me.

NINA
Yeah, sounds good.

The MURMUR is SWIRLING again as Nina WALKS through.

OFFICE WALLA
Tessa really fired her? Long time
coming. Way overdue. Next man up!

Including Chad:

CHAD
(soto)
...that's what happens with
diversity hires.

CHUCKLES and GASPS ROLL through the office. Nina comes to an

abrupt HALT. TURNS and STEPS up to Chad.

NINA
Wanna say that out loud. To my
face?

CHAD
What? I didn't hear anything. Did
you hear anything?

Others GROAN and slink away.

NINA
Coward.

CHAD
Relax; at least CHIKARI will get
the service they deserve now.
(MORE)
 7.
CHAD (CONT’D)
And I'll get your bonus. How can I
ever repay you?

NINA
You can fuck off, for starters.

CHAD
Mmmm - sounds fun. My place at 9?

NINA
Yeah, I’ll be there.

CHAD
Oh?!

NINA
With knives on.

Chad SMIRKS and STRIDES away as others GROAN.

5 INT. HAPPY HOUR - THE VELVET SABER - AFTERNOON - LATER 5

Trendy hipster happy hour. Busy. LOUD.

Nina SITS at a HI-TOP TABLE. From across the room, TOBY calls
out and APPROACHES.

TOBY
Nina... Morrison?

NINA
Hey, Toby, what a surprise!

TOBY
How are you?

They share a quick hug.

NINA
I’m just waiting on some friends;
wanna join?

TOBY
I don’t want to intrude.

NINA
All good; sit!

Toby GRABS a seat.

TOBY
So... what’s new?
 8.

NINA
Well, coincidentally, I took your
advice.

TOBY
My...? I gave you advice.

NINA
Uh-huh, at the Lampier charity
auction over the holiday?

Toby can’t quite remember.

TOBY
Ok... What did I say again?

NINA
Oh my god, you gave me a huge guilt
trip for “optimizing” to keep up at
Lampier.

He remembers!

TOBY
Oh, right! You said you weren’t
sleeping, seemed reasonable.

NINA
Yeah, well, Adderall is like coffee
at Lampier, so when I stopped using
it, I lost my edge and kept the
insomnia.

TOBY
Oh, no...

NINA
Then I fucked up big-time and got
fired.

TOBY
I’m sorry.

NINA
Not entirely you’re fault but...

TOBY
Ok, drinks on me, at least.

NINA
Ya think?

TOBY
I might have an...
 9.

Nina's phone VIBRATES, interrupting Toby. Nina CHECKS.

TOBY (CONT’D)
Do you need to get that?

NINA
Uhh, no - it's just my Mother.

SILENCES the call.

TOBY
Vivian? You use your Mother's first
name?

NINA
Better than having "MOM" pop up on
my screen all day. She calls... a
lot.

TOBY
She's probably just worried.

Nina lets out an anxious LAUGH.

NINA
So you've met her!?

They share a CHUCKLE.

NINA (CONT’D)
She never stopped hovering, even
after I grew up. So, super
embarrassing.

TOBY
Yikes... what’s that about?

NINA
I mean, she had me when she was 17.
She was in a... let’s be kind and
call it a church.

TOBY
A church?

NINA
It was probably more of a... cult.

TOBY
Oh wow. Say more.
 10.

NINA
No. I can’t roll with her
superstitions, so... we don’t
discuss.

TOBY
Ahhh.

NINA
How about you?

TOBY
Oh, me, well, ya know, the same.

NINA
The same? Really?

TOBY
Oh, no... I mean, for me, it was my
Father. He raised me. He was in
tech before I was born, but he
retired early.

NINA
He still around?

TOBY
No. But I keep his spirit alive...
in my work.

NINA
That’s nice.

TOBY
It’s... what he wanted.

NINA
Oh my god, listen to us... to
fucking parents!

TOBY
To fucking parents.

Glasses CLINK.

TOBY (CONT’D)
So, I have an idea. Might help.

NINA
A new job?

TOBY
No. I'm an angel investor in this
new sleep therapy and...
 11.

NINA
(interrupts)
Please don't say it's another sleep
app.

Toby LAUGHS - caught.

TOBY
It's... another sleep app.

Nina GUFFAWS.

NINA TOBY (CONT’D)

No, no, no! Wait, wait, hear me out.

NINA (CONT’D)
Toby, I've done them all... Sleepy
stories, white noise, brown noise,
waves, rain...

Nina RUNS out of steam. So TIRED.

TOBY
Are you done?

NINA
Fine. Tell me about your app.

TOBY
It's called Sleep Tight and...

NINA
Oh my god!

TOBY
I think they cracked sleep.

NINA
Dude, please, cut the bro-talk.

TOBY
Hard to do if you call me "dude.”

Nina CLINKS his glass.

NINA
Touché.

TOBY
It's in Alpha testing now, but
they're reporting great results.

Nina SIGHS.
 12.

NINA
I love that you're trying to help -
but it sounds like bullshit.

TOBY
Ok, sure. But. What do you have to
lose?

Nina TAPS a ring on her glass and thinks.

NINA
Fine, what is it?

TOBY
You go to the sleep center for an
overnight evaluation.

NINA
What? Overnight?

TOBY
Just one night. It uses machine
learning to track your sleep.

NINA
Oh my god, please stop.

TOBY
You get a headband, which pairs
with the app that adjusts the
therapy through the night.

NINA
Sounds super gimmicky.

TOBY
There’s a 5-minute video check-in
with a tech each morning. Easy.

Nina SIGHS and TAPS her glass, THINKING on it.

NINA
What do I have to lose, right?

TOBY
It’s gonna be great, you’ll see!

GLASSES CLINK

6 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - EVENING - NEXT NIGHT. 6

Nina’s bare feet PAD across the room, she DROPS into BED.
 13.

NINA
(sotto)
OK, Sleep Tight, let's see what you
got.

Nina PUTS on the Sleep Tight HEADBAND. Activates the APP.

She LIES back with a DEEP INHALE - EXHALE...

Soft, ambient music takes over the sound field.

We LISTEN as Nina does. Peaceful sounds of NATURE fade in and

FILL the SCENE.

A deeply SOOTHING MALE voice appears.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION

Welcome to Sleep Tight. Take a deep
breath with me now.

Nina takes DEEP, meditative BREATHS throughout.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

You are here in this peaceful
forest. Birdsong draws you to a
wide meadow where wildflowers sway
in the gentle breeze.

Nina dips DEEPER into relaxation as the VOICE drifts in a

HAZE of ECHOS.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

You watch the sunlight reflecting
off a small, still pond - sparkling
like millions of stars.

Rippling water, birds, and light breeze swirl.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

Feel the tension melt away, leaving
only peace throughout your entire
body. A very deep sleep wraps
around you. Deeper. Deeper. Deeper.

The voice FADES in mellow ECHOES, becoming more SURREAL.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

(whispers)
Nina... Nina... Nina...

Nina is DREAMING. Flashes of her day emerge and vanish.

Voices - laughs. The sounds DESCEND into dark dreamscapes.
 14.

CHAD
(laughing)
Diversity hire... Got what you
deserved... Are you gonna cry?
Can't take a joke? Don't be so
sensitive!

A DEEP GROWL emerges. The MOOD turns darker. Time SLOWS -

bones TWIST - LIMBS TEAR - MANIACAL LAUGHTER BLENDING with
CHAD’s SCREAMS cycling louder and LOUDER.

SMASH CUT TO:

7 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYNN - NEXT MORNING 7

Nina BOLTS awake. The morning is full of PEACEFUL birds and

nature. The CITY outside feels DISTANT.

NINA
Holy shit!

Nina TOSSES off the COVERS and BOUNDS out of bed.

She BEATS around the room - TOUCHING her arms and body.

NINA (CONT’D)
This can't be real... This is
incredible!

Notification DINGS from her LAPTOP. Nina is nearly BREATHLESS

with how GREAT she feels.

NINA (CONT’D)
Oh, right...

Nina HOPS across the room to the LAPTOP. Keys CLACK. A CHIME.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Good Morning, Nina

NINA
Hi!

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

How was your first night with Sleep
Tight?

NINA
Uhh...amazing!

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

(chuckles)
OK, tell me about it.
 15.

NINA
I had THE BEST sleep in my life,
like, no joke.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Let’s take a look at your readings.

Tech CLICKS.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH (CONT’D)

Wow! 7.57 hours. That's great. We
usually don't see results like this
so quickly.

NINA
And I'm, like, bursting with energy
and ideas! It’s insane.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

How about side effects? Headaches
or nausea?

NINA
No. Nothing like that.

Nina takes a BEAT.

NINA (CONT’D)
I did have some pretty intense
dreams, though.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Ok. Tell me about that.

NINA
Umm, they were really vivid. It
felt like I was there. Real.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Do you remember anything specific?

NINA
No, just fragments, but Nightmare-
like, and...

Nina stops herself before sharing more.

NINA (CONT’D)
Just weird dream stuff. You know?

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Alright, we’ll keep track of that.
 16.

NINA
So, are we good? I HAVE to get to
work on these ideas!

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Yup, we’ll chat again tomorrow.
Have a good day, Nina.

NINA
Oh... I will!

Nina ENDS the call, gets up, and lets out an excited SCREAM,
which MORPHS into a SUBWAY TRAIN SQUEAL and ROAR as it passes
BY, transitioning to:

8 INT. LAMPIER DESIGN AGENCY OFFICE - NYC - MORNING 8

Nina BURSTS defiantly across the open office.

DESK ATTENDANT
Tessa Lampier Design, please hold.
Hey, you can't be here, Nina!

The OFFICE MURMUR expresses SHOCK.

OFFICE WALLA
What the hell is she doing here?
Lotta nerve. Oh, I'm not missing
this. Has anyone seen Chad? Holy
shit, it's her?

Nina CROSSES straight to Tessa's office where...

ASSISTANT
(anxiously)
Excuse me, you need to leave.

NINA
Move, Todd.

Nina PUSHES past him with a firm SHOULDER BUMP.

ASSISTANT
She's on a call; get back here!

Tessa's VOICE gets LOUDER as we approach with Nina.

TESSA
...we can complete phase two by the
end of Q3 if the designs are
approved by mid-May.

Nina PUSHES Tessa's door OPEN. STRIDES in. She’s FIRM.

 17.

NINA
I need your attention.

ZOOM CALL
Who is that?

TESSA
Someone in need of a restraining
order.

The Assistant RUSHES in from behind.

ASSISTANT
I'm sorry, she just...

TESSA
Stop apologizing and call
security... Christ. Craig, call me
later.

Tessa ENDS the VIDEO call; she’s PISSED again.

TESSA (CONT’D)
What. The. Fuck?

NINA
I have something you need to...

TESSA
You're fired.

NINA
Yeah, about that. Here.

Nina TAPS her phone. Tessa's computer DINGS.

TESSA
What's this?

NINA
Check it.

TESSA
I don't take files from EX-
employees!

Nina SITS.

NINA
Fine. I'll summarize.

TESSA
I didn’t ask you to sit.
 18.

NINA
I completely re-designed the
CHIKARI rollout on the way in this
morning.

TESSA
Why? That phase is already
approved; it’s done. And you don't
work here anymore!

NINA
Check mine. It's much better.

TESSA
You haven't had a good idea in
months. And again - you're fired!

Nina STANDS, pushing the chair behind her.

NINA
I'll take it to ZEN.

TESSA
You signed a non-compete.

NINA
I didn't.

TESSA
No severance then.

NINA
Keep it.

TESSA
You wanna make legal trouble for
yourself now, too?

NINA
You told me to "get my shit
together.” I did. So read - my -
shit.

Assistant and security ARRIVE.

ASSISTANT
That's her, right there!

The security guard is in Nina's face now.

SECURITY
Miss, you need to come with me.
 19.

NINA
(to Tessa)
Read. It.

Tessa TAPS her fingers on the desk a BEAT. Then:

TESSA
Todd, take the rent-a-cop and wait
outside for exactly one minute. And
find Chad - he's late.

ASSISTANT
Uh, ok, right, c'mon.

They LEAVE. The Door CLOSES.

NINA
You won't even need a minute.

Tessa GROANS - CLICKS - reads.

TESSA
(scoffs)
We've already tried this...

NINA
Keep reading.

Tessa CLICKS. It HITS her. This is...

TESSA
Incredible.

NINA
I know.

TESSA
Where did this come from?

NINA
Me. This morning. On the train.

TESSA
Bullshit.

NINA
I got my shit together.

Tessa EXHALES in disbelief.

NINA (CONT’D)
So, am I back or what?
 20.

TESSA
One idea can't fix the hole you dug
for yourself here. I don't trust
you! Nobody trusts you!

NINA
Fuck trust. Best idea wins. Right?

Tessa SNICKERS.

NINA (CONT’D)
And that is only part one.

TESSA
Of?

NINA
Three.

TESSA
I see.

NINA
If you want the rest, I need to be
back running point, client-facing.
Full autonomy.

TESSA
Not a chance.

NINA
I'm also going to fire Chad. He's
been putting out some pretty skeevy
Proud Boy vibes.

TESSA
The ONLY reason CHARKI is back at
all is because I fired you.

NINA
They'll change - you'll see.

Tessa leans back. Thinking this over.

TESSA
And you have two more parts?

NINA
I do.

TESSA
I need to see them first.
 21.

NINA
No.

TESSA
How am I supposed to give notes?

NINA
You don't.

Tessa, frustrated - points at the door.

TESSA
Do you see that? That says Tessa
Lampier Design! I'm Tessa Fucking
Lampier; nothing leaves here
without my prints on it.

NINA
Not on this, not with me.

TESSA
Times up. Security!

Door OPENS.

SECURITY
Yes, Ms. Lampier

TESSA
Ms. Morrison is trespassing.

SECURITY
Let's go right now, Ms.

NINA
You know what? I changed my mind.

TESSA
Oh, did you?

NINA
I'm not working for you. I'm going
to bury you.

Tessa BURSTS a laugh.

TESSA
Get out!

Nina is ESCORTED out. The office BUZZES around her

 22.

9 INT. CITY COFFEE SHOP - MOMENTS LATER 9

A busy CAFE bubbles with conversation. CAFE CLERK randomly

calls names for pickup. A TV plays the NEWS in the
background.

Nina ENTERS - STRIDES to the counter.

CAFE CLERK
Next!

NINA
Hey, Small Chai, to-go for Nina.

The DING of CHIP READER takes the payment.

CAFE CLERK
It'll be up over there.

NINA
Great.

From the TV - faintly amid the din.

TV REPORT
"Police confirm the body of a 28-
year-old white male was found
murdered this morning in the Delta
Towers apartment complex in
midtown. The name is being withheld
pending notification of the next of
kin. No motives or suspects have
been identified. (UNDER...) The
sheer brutality of this crime, the
life of a promising young man
tragically ended, will not go
unpunished."

Nina, TRANSFIXED, unaware of the clerk BARKING her name.

CAFE CLERK
Nina? Chai for Nina? Nina!?!

Nina SNAPS out of it.

NINA
Hey - that’s me!

She walks over and GRABS her drink.

NINA (CONT’D)
Thanks.

Nina TURNS to leave. BUMPS right into:

 23.

TOBY
Hey!

NINA
Oh, shit, sorry!

TOBY
Nina? What are you doing here?

NINA
I was in the hood. Had a craving.

TOBY
Wait, were you at Lampier?

NINA
Yeah, I needed to get some clarity.

TOBY
Oh. Did you?

NINA
Crystal. Hey, did you just see that
report on television?

TOBY
Report?

On the TV: a weather report PLAYS. Nina drifts and then snaps
back.

NINA
Oh, nothing. Deja Vu, I guess.

TOBY
So, dare I ask?

NINA
What?

TOBY
Sleep Tight?

NINA
Oh, shit, yes, Toby, seriously,
it's incredible!

TOBY
Really!?

NINA
Beyond expectations. And that
voice! I have to meet that man!
 24.

TOBY
That's Byron; it can also have a
female voice if you prefer...

NINA
No! Do NOT take Byron away from me;
he’s perfect!

TOBY
Noted. I’ll let him know.

NINA
I’m flooded with ideas and energy!

TOBY
That’s great. Tell me more!

NINA
Can’t, too much to do. Later!

Nina BOLTS out.

TOBY
Nina! Hey!

10 EXT. CITY STREET - DAY - CONTINUOUS 10

Nina STRIDES through the BUSY sidewalk.

NINA
Call Scott at CHIKARI (shi-CAR-ee).

SIRI
Calling Scott.

Line TRILLS. ANSWERED as Nina STRIDES the BUSY sidewalk.

SCOTT
(incredulous)
Nina, what are you doing?

NINA
You need to see my idea for the
rollout. Tessa sold you short; mine
is much better, trust me.

SCOTT
Trust you? I could get fired just
for talking to you after...

NINA
You’ll get promoted for talking to
me now.
 25.

SCOTT
You sound insane.

NINA
Charming.

Notification DING on the LINE.

SCOTT
Nina... what's this?

NINA
An overview. You have 24 hours to
engage me on it.

SCOTT
Correction, you are insane.

NINA
Or I'll take it to Zen.

SCOTT
You're threatening me?

NINA
They're highly enthusiastic.

SCOTT
We had a great run with you at
Lampier, but...

NINA
Not fucking around, Scott.
24 hours - Tick tock.

Nina ENDS the call. Hails a CAB.

NINA (CONT’D)
Taxi!

NINA (CONT’D)
Call TYLER

SIRI
Calling Tyler

Line TRILLS. Taxi PULLS arrives.

TYLER, a commercial real estate broker, answers. He’s

CHARMING and also Nina’s occasional no-hang-up hookup.

TYLER
Nina... Morrison!
 26.

Nina ENTERS the cab.

NINA
(to cabbie)
Take me to 385 West 45th.

TYLER
Woah, an in-person visit in the
middle of the day? What did I do to
deserve this?

NINA
It's what you'll have to do.

TYLER
Ok... ok... what’s up.

NINA
I'm starting my own firm; I need
space. What can you find for me?

TYLER
All kinds of places, what do...

NINA
Today.

TYLER
Today?

NINA
I need paper in the works today.

TYLER
Ha! Damn, ok. Lemme get on it.

Tyler goes fishing.

TYLER (CONT’D)
So... is that the only reason you
called?

Nina takes a beat to consider - and then:

NINA
No. I need one more thing.

SMASH CUT TO:

11 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - EVENING - LATER. 11

Nina and Tyler are FUCKING. Heavy breathing.

 27.

TYLER
Oh, you feel so fucking good!

NINA
I'm close. Don't stop - don't stop -
don't you stop!

Nina CLIMAXES - her voice breaks - she SHIVERS.

Heavy BREATHING - they fall into the sheets side by side.

TYLER
Woah, that was...

NINA
Yeah.

TYLER
Unexpected.

NINA
What?

Tyler COZIES up to Nina - stroking her skin

TYLER
I mean... you’ve been such a zombie
these past few time. To see you...

NINA
Awake?

TYLER
Was going to say on fire, but...
awake works.

NINA
You'd be surprised what a good
night’s sleep can do.

Tyler chuckles, thinking it's a joke.

NINA (CONT’D)
I need that space by the end of the
week.

TYLER
You’re thinking about work?

NINA
(softer)
And... you need to leave.
 28.

TYLER
I'm not staying?

NINA
I need to sleep.

Tyler moves in closer. Speaks SOFTLY.

TYLER
What if I promise to have you
sleeping by... 2 a.m?

Nina pushes him gently.

NINA
Go on. Go.

TYLER
Shit. You're not joking.

Nina exhales a deep, satisfied breath.

NINA
I just needed to feel this, awake,
sober, fully here. OK?

TYLER
Ok. Yeah. Sure.

Long beat.

NINA
So, That's it. Thanks for the lay.
I don't know what else you want me
to say.

TYLER
I was hoping we could chill a bit.

Nina ROLLS over.

NINA
Lock the door on your way out.
Please.

Tyler SIGHS and gets out of BED.

TYLER
Alright, alright.

Tyler DRESSES.

TYLER (CONT’D)
How about we go again tomorrow?
 29.

NINA
Good night, Tyler.

TYLER
Damn, Call me!

Tyler walks away - DOOR opens - CLACKS - LOCKS.

Nina ROLLS over in bed and OPENS the side DRAWER.

She puts on the Sleep Tight HEADBAND. Activates the APP. Lies
back. We LISTEN as Nina does. Peaceful sounds of nature fade
in.

The deeply SOOTHING VOICE of BYRON appears.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION

Welcome to Sleep Tight.

Light RAIN drizzles in a peaceful forest environment.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

You are here - walking through this
lush, hidden valley deep in the
mountains.

Nina takes DEEP breaths.

SLEEP TIGHT MEDITATION (CONT’D)

Tranquility and peace fill you,
from your feet all the way to the
top of your head. A deep, restful
sleep envelops you. Deeper.
Deeper. Deeper.

The voice fades in echoes. The sound becomes more surreal -

abstract - undulating.

Nina is now DREAMING. Distorted flashes of Nina's day emerge

and vanish. Voices - laughs - snippets of conversations.

The sound churns darker - like ocean waves of thick blood.

TESSA
(laughing)
Burned out! Replace you with a snap
of my fingers. You've lost it -
haven’t had a good idea in months!
You're done! You're nothing but an
empty husk!
 30.

A deep GROWL emerges as The sound turns darker. TESSA's voice

stretches into SCREAMS - time slows - bones TWIST - LIMBS
TEAR cycling louder and louder.

CUT TO:

12 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - MORNING 12

Nina bolts awake again - feeling great. She GLOWS.

NINA
Yes!!

Nina tosses off the covers. BOUNDS out of bed.

NINA (CONT’D)
Let's do this!

Notification DINGS. Nina hops to the LAPTOP. Keys CLACK.

CHIME.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Good morning, Nina. How was night
two?

NINA
Beyond amazing!

The tech TYPES.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Wow, 7.57 hours... again.
Impressive.

NINA
I'm buzzing with ideas!

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

No side effects?

NINA
Uh, just the dreams again.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Ok.. anything more about that?

Nina takes a second.

NINA
Yesterday, the news was on, talking
about a murder. It felt familiar.
 31.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

The dream or the news?

NINA
I’m... not sure, exactly.

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Ok. Our minds can use dreams to
process information from the day.
It could be that.

NINA
Yeah, that makes sense. Right?

SLEEP TIGHT TECH

Try to limit your exposure to dark
news and entertainment. We’ll chat
again tomorrow.

NINA
Sure, chat then.

Nina ENDS the call. Gets up, GATHERING things to leave.

Her PHONE RINGS. Nina answers.

NINA (CONT’D)
Nina Morrison.

CARMEN ABOUD
Nina, this is Carmen Aboud, the...

NINA
Chief Executive of CHIKARI, I know
who you are.

CARMEN ABOUD
Great. We need to chat.

NINA
Really? What about?

CARMEN ABOUD
You know what it's about. Let's
talk about it... face-to-face. A
car is waiting downstairs.

NINA
Okay. On my way.

Nina GATHERS things - opens DOOR - CLOSES - LOCKS

 32.

13 EXT. NYC STREET - OUTSIDE ABOUD'S OFFICE - DAY 13

Nina, UPSET, STRIDES the sidewalk toward the BUSY street.

NINA
Taxi! Taxi!

Nina’s phone RINGS.

SIRI
Call from VIVIAN, answer it?

NINA
No. Taxi! Hey!

A TAXI blows by her. Her PACE quickens.

NINA (CONT’D)
Christ.

The PHONE rings again.

SIRI
Call from CARLA, answer it?

NINA
Yes.

BEEP.

CARLA
Neen, where are you?

NINA
Uptown, what's up?

CARLA
Have you heard?

NINA
You'll have to be more specific.

CARLA
Chad.

NINA
Shit, Carla, I don't care about
Chad.

CARLA
He's dead.

Nina HALTS. The CITY DULLS around her.

 33.

NINA
What? What do you mean?

CARLA
Chad is dead. They found him
yesterday in his apartment.

NINA
Shit.

PHONE tone - another call. Nina IGNORES it.

CARLA
They're saying it was, like, really
violent.

NINA
OK, I'm going to catch a cab and...

CARLA
(interrupting)
Nina, Nina!

NINA
What?

CARLA
Tessa... She's missing.

NINA
Woah. Do they think Tessa did it?

CARLA
Kill Chad?

NINA
Yeah.

CARLA
I mean, she's certifiable, but...

NINA
This is the opportunity I need.

Nina STRIDES again - the CITY returns in full force.

CARLA
What?

NINA
Chakari’s CEO just gave me some
bullshit about staying with Lampier
and...
 34.

CARLA
Nina, Chad is dead, Tessa is
missing!

NINA
Don’t you see? All of Lampier's
business is up for grabs. It's jump
ball.

CARLA
Nina, you sound.... deranged.

Nina’s PHONE rings again.

NINA
Stop being dramatic, Carla. TAXI!

A TAXI PULLS UP. Nina OPENS the door and HOPS in.

NINA (CONT’D)
(to driver)
Downtown.

The taxi shifts GEARS - TAKES off.

NINA (CONT’D)
I gotta go, Carla.

CARLA
OK. Can we chat later..?

Nina ENDS the call. Her PHONE RINGS again.

SIRI
Call from VIVIAN, answer it?

NINA
(sighs)
God... what now? Yes!

VIVIAN
Nina, why haven’t you answered?

NINA
I'm working.

NINA (CONT’D)
You got a new job already?

NINA (CONT’D)
Creating my own; what’s up?
 35.

VIVIAN
I just heard about that boy you
worked with.

NINA
Oh, that. Me too.

VIVIAN
Did you know him well?

NINA
I knew him... yes.

VIVIAN
He was so young. I’m worried. Are
you safe - can I ask that?

NINA
Yes, I'm safe. Thanks for asking.

VIVIAN
I just, you know, had thoughts
and...

NINA
Mom, I really don't want to hear
this stuff right now.

VIVIAN
Have you... had thoughts?

NINA
Mom... not now.

VIVIAN
About things that haven't happened.
Yet.

NINA
You mean visions.

Vivian tries to tread lightly.

VIVIAN
Have you?

Nina sits for a silent BEAT. Takes a DEEP breath.

NINA
Listen, every fiber of my being is
screaming not to tell you this.

VIVIAN
Nina, you can tell me anything.
 36.

NINA
Yeah, okay. So, I had a dream, ok?
Not a vision, a dream. And in the
dream, that guy from work, Chad,
was... Killed. Ok?

VIVIAN
When was this?

Nina exhales DEEPLY, knowing the can of worms this will open.

NINA
The night of the, you know...
murder.

Vivian’s worry starts to RATCHET.

VIVIAN
Oh, no, no - I was afraid of this.

NINA
Mom, please don’t.

VIVIAN
Have you had others? like that?

NINA
It's a coincidence.

VIVIAN
Not with us, Nina.

NINA
Us?

VIVIAN
You need to come home; it’s time
for you to know. Everything.

NINA
Can't; I have a big opportunity,
and I need to jump on it now.

VIVIAN
That's where your attention is
right now?

NINA
Where is it supposed to be?

VIVIAN
Your safety!
 37.

NINA
I'm safe, ok? Listen... I've always
tried to respect your experience,
whatever that was. But it wasn't
me.

VIVIAN
You were there.

NINA
Being in your womb doesn’t count as
“being there.”

VIVIAN
Your soul was there - that's what
matters, Nina.

Nina grunts in frustration as the CAR comes to a STOP.

CABBIE
Here you go.

NINA
I'm at my stop. I’ll try to swing
by next weekend, maybe if I...

Vivian isn’t playing around anymore.

VIVIAN
Nina Marie! Stop it!

NINA
What?

Vivian takes a deep breath.

VIVIAN
I haven't been honest with you.

NINA
About?

VIVIAN
Your Father.

NINA
You're doing this now? Now?!

VIVIAN
It's time for you to know, Nina.
Come home.

Nina SIGHS.
 38.

NINA
Shit, fine, fine! Driver, change of
plans. 616 W 137th.

Car SLIPS into GEAR ENGINE revs - TAKES OFF.

BREAK

14 INT. VIVIAN'S APT - HARLEM - DAY 14

The doorbell Rings. Vivian WALKS to the door, UNLOCKS, and

OPENS it. NINA enters, IMPATIENT.

NINA
This better be good.

VIVIAN
Can I get you anything, water...?

NINA
Biggest day of my career is on hold
right now so...

VIVIAN
Have a seat. Please.

They sit. Nina anxiously taps her leg.

NINA
And... sitting.

Vivian takes a DEEP breath.

VIVIAN
The man I told you was your Father,
William... I... made it up.

NINA
Which part?

VIVIAN
Meeting him in the Congregation,
falling in love, conceiving you, us
leaving the church... his death.

Gut punch for Nina.

NINA
Jesus, so... everything? Why?

VIVIAN
To protect you.
 39.

NINA
From?

VIVIAN
Your real Father.

NINA
My... who is he? Is he still alive?

VIVIAN
I knew you’d want to find him, so I
kept it from you.

NINA
You robbed me of my real Father!

VIVIAN
I SAVED you!

NINA
I cannot believe this.

VIVIAN
He wasn't a congregant; he was the
leader. He used to work for the
Government. He claimed to see the
end of days in what they were
building - machines that could
think like men. So he quit and
built the "Church." Homesteading,
no technology, no outside contact.
He was very charismatic. As a lost
young woman, he welcomed me. Was
kind to me. I was drawn to him. But
over time, he turned... paranoid.
Violent. My purpose, he said, was
to give him a child. That’s all he
wanted me for.

NINA
What?

Vivian fights back the shame of what she has to share.

VIVIAN
You weren't conceived in an act of
love. It was... forced, part of a
sadistic ritual.

Nina sees the hurt.

NINA
Oh, no. Mom. That's why you left?
 40.

VIVIAN
I had to escape. I was out for
three days before they found me and
took me back to him, back to
Sheppard.

NINA
My real Father's name... Is
Sheppard?

VIVIAN
After they caught me, I was brought
before the entire congregation.
Sheppard delivered a fiery sermon
condemning me for stealing his
property. His unborn child. The
fulfillment of his prophecy, he
called it.

NINA
Jesus.

VIVIAN
He’d done the same to others and
needed to control us. So he...
conjured a curse.

NINA
A curse, Christ, Mom?

VIVIAN
Listen! Not on me. On the unborn
child I was carrying.

NINA
Me? He put a curse... on me?

VIVIAN
He warned that if any of us tried
to escape, the curse would forever
damn our children to misery and
suffering so intense they would end
their own life.

NINA
Shit.

VIVIAN
I believed him and was terrified.
But I didn’t want you to grow up in
his world. So I got the nerve up
and escaped again. This time, I
didn't get caught. Still haven't.
 41.

Nina takes this in.

NINA
Mom. Why are you finally telling me
all this?

VIVIAN
Your vision, Nina.

NINA
Mom.

VIVIAN
It's the curse.

NINA
Stop, they’re dreams.

VIVIAN
About the violent death of that
boy, who then died? And you said
dreams, so someone else, too?

NINA
(sighs)
Yeah... Tessa.

VIVIAN
Your boss?

NINA
It's not a curse to dream about the
violent death of your boss. That's
Capitalism.

VIVIAN
You need to take this seriously!

NINA
You know I don't believe this
stuff!

VIVIAN
It doesn't need your belief, Nina;
it’s acting out through you; that’s
all that matters.

Nina gets up - defiant.

NINA
No! I won’t follow you down your
supernatural rabbit hole.
 42.

VIVIAN
Nina, please...

NINA
Mom, listen, I love you, OK? Thank
you for finally telling me the
truth about my Father, which is
already so much to process. But to
add this curse shit on top, it's
too much! I need to move forward.

VIVIAN
Please, be careful. I don't know
what it has planned for you, but
you need to be ready.

NINA
Be Ready? How, a crucifix, holy
water?

VIVIAN
Stop that! Don't be too smart for
your own damn good.

Nina SIGHS.

NINA
Yeah, okay.

VIVIAN
Promise you'll call for any reason.

NINA
Promise. I gotta go.

VIVIAN
I love you.

NINA
Luv you too.

SMACK a cheek, KISS. Nina leaves.

CUT TO:

15 INT. LESION - COCKTAIL BAR - EARLY AFTERNOON 15

Trendy MUSIC plays. The CROWD is sparse.

Nina STRIDES in. Toby is already seated CALLS out.

TOBY
Nina! Over here.
 43.

NINA
Hey... thanks for meeting.

TOBY
Yeah, sure, I already ordered so...

Waitress arrives.

WAITRESS
Hi there, anything to...

NINA
Yeah, MacAllen 25, neat.

WAITRESS
Sure thing.

TOBY
Wow, I feel like a pauper with my
Whiskey Sour.

NINA
What do you know about Sleep Tight?

TOBY
Almost everything; why?

NINA
What about side effects - anything
other than what you tell everyone?

TOBY
No. But I wouldn't be able to talk
about them if there were.

NINA
Oh Christ, Toby, really?

TOBY
Yes, Nina. Really.

The waitress appears with the drink.

WAITRESS
MacAllen 25, wanna start a tab?

NINA
Yeah, he's got it.

TOBY
Do I?

NINA
You do.
 44.

TOBY
Fine, use my card. Thanks.

Waitress departs.

TOBY (CONT’D)
What's this all about?

NINA
What about nightmares?

TOBY
As a side effect?

NINA
Yeah.

TOBY
Had reports of vivid dreams, but...
are you having nightmares?

NINA
I don't know, it's...

TOBY
What?

NINA
Yes. Ok... yes.

TOBY
Have you reported that in your
morning follow-ups?

NINA
Of course. Mostly.

TOBY
Mostly.

NINA
I told her I had nightmares, just
not the details.

TOBY
Why not?

NINA
Because I didn't want to be taken
off the trial! This has been
insanely positive for me... I
feel...
 45.

TOBY
Nina, back to the nightmares.

NINA
If I tell you, don’t freak out and
judge me.

TOBY
Dreams are just dreams? Right?

NINA
Yeah. Ok. So... in these dreams,
people are... getting hurt.

TOBY
Ok.

NINA
Like gruesomely, violently hurt.

TOBY
Oh.

NINA
And it's people that I like, know.

TOBY
And?

NINA
And... then, the next day, I see
that uhh... That it was real.

TOBY
What was real?

NINA
Them, being dead.

TOBY
So, you dreamed about people you
know being killed, and then they
died?

NINA
I don't know, it seems like that.

TOBY
Who?

NINA
Promise you won't freak out?
 46.

TOBY
Could you promise that if you were
me right now?

NINA
Chad.

TOBY
The guy from Lampier on the news?

NINA
Yeah.

TOBY
Wow, that's a pretty strong
coincidence.

NINA
That's what I thought.

TOBY
But?

NINA
Tessa, too.

Toby slams his drink and POPS the glass on the table.

TOBY
Are you fucking with me right now?

NINA
No! I just spent an hour with my
Mother and her ooga booga bullshit;
I needed someone rational to talk
to. I don't know what to do.

TOBY
And you think this is Sleep Tight?

NINA
I don't know, could it be?

TOBY
No! It’s a sleep app; it doesn’t
induce psychic dreams.

NINA
Maybe I'm going crazy.

TOBY
You need to go in for evaluation.
 47.

NINA
What does that mean?

TOBY
There's clearly something going on;
we need to find out if it's our
tech or you, or...

NINA
No! I don't have time for that; I
have plans and goals.

TOBY
Are you listening to yourself?

NINA
Toby, aside from the dreams,
nothing has ever felt this right to
me in my entire life. My ideas, my
ambition, are off the charts!

TOBY
I know - you're having an extremely
positive reaction to the treatment,
abnormally positive. But this
nightmare stuff, the people
dying...

NINA
I'll manage it, ok? I just wanted
to know if anyone else had similar
experiences.

TOBY
I can't let you keep using the
service until you get evaluated.

NINA
No, I've already wasted so much
time on this today. I am not
strapping into your machines again.

TOBY
Your response is a red flag; I need
to shut it down.

NINA
Toby, no, I can't get where I need
to be without this. I need it.

TOBY
Then come into the sleep center for
an evaluation.
 48.

NINA
If I do the eval you’ll keep my
service on?

TOBY
Can’t guarantee that. Do the eval,
and we’ll see.

NINA
I can't believe I trusted you.
You’ll regret this, Toby!

Nina STORMS off.

TOBY
Nina!?! Hey, come on!

CUT TO:

16 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - EVENING - LATER 16

Nina is fumbling with the SLEEP TIGHT headband. BEEP.

NOTIFICATION
Sorry - your Sleep Tight service
has expired.

NINA
Fuck!

She FUMBLES with the buttons again. BEEP.

NOTIFICATION
Sorry - your Sleep Tight service
has expired.

NINA
Goddamnit. Call Toby!

SIRI
Calling Toby.

The line TRILLS - ANSWERED:

NINA
Turn it back on, now!

TOBY
No. We need to get a read on you.
Tomorrow morning, first thing.
 49.

NINA
Turn it on, or I'll spend my entire
sleepless night posting video after
video after video...

TOBY
Saying what, Nina? Hmm? That a
sleep app is giving you nightmares?
Psychic nightmares about the
violent murder of people you know?

Nina SIGHS.

NINA
Asshole.

TOBY
It doesn't have to be this way.

NINA
You're right; turn it back on.

TOBY
I'll get you in the morning - we’ll
go together.

NINA
I can go myself.

TOBY
No, wait for me. There might be
side effects from missing tonight's
treatment.

NINA
And whose fault would that be?

TOBY
6 am. Be ready.

NINA
Fuck off.

Three BEEPS - the call ENDS.

Nina THROWS her phone across the room. It SPINS on the floor.

She FALLS back HARD into bed. SIGHS

Nina's breath SLOWS and becomes DEEPER. The City Sounds morph
and twist, and we drift off, with NINA into SLEEP...

DISSOLVE TO:
 50.

17 INT. NINA'S DREAM - CONTINUOUS 17

Flashes of Nina's day emerge and vanish. Voices - laughs -

snippets of conversations.

The sound churns darker. A deep GROWL emerges.

TOBY
Don't make this hard, Nina! You
have to go!

Toby's voice stretches into SCREAMS.

TOBY (CONT’D)
No! Stop it! Stop this, please -
don't do it; please make it stop...
Make it STOP.

Time slows - bones TWIST - limbs TEAR - maniacal laughter

cycles louder and LOUDER.

SMASH CUT TO:

18 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - MORNING 18

Nina bolts awake - GLOWING.

NINA
Woah... Woah!

Nina TOSSES off the covers and BOUNDS out of bed. She checks
the headband again. BEEP.

NOTIFICATION
Sorry - your Sleep Tight service
has expired.

NINA
Shit... I didn't need it!

Her phone RINGS from across the room, where she threw it.

She PADS over and PICKS it up.

NINA (CONT’D)
(scoffs)
Of course...

Answers BEEP.

NINA (CONT’D)
I don't need you, Toby!
 51.

TOBY'S PHONE
Nina Morrison?

The voice is NOT Toby.

NINA
Excuse me? Who is this?

TOBY'S PHONE
This is Detective Carlson,
Manhattan PD.

NINA
Why do you have Toby's phone?

TOBY'S PHONE
I need to speak with you in person
right away.

NINA
I can probably make it this
afternoon or...

TOBY'S PHONE
It needs to be now.

NINA
What is this about?

TOBY'S PHONE
We'll talk when you arrive.

NINA
OK, give me an hour.

Nina ENDS the call: BEEP BEEP BEEP.

NINA (CONT’D)
(soto)
Yeah, fuck that.

Nina gathers things - and puts on a jacket.

Rushes to the DOOR - UNLOCKS and OPENS it. She's STARTLED.

NINA (CONT’D)
Shit!

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Ms. Morrison? I'm Detective
Carlson. We just spoke. Let’s take
that ride downtown.
 52.

NINA
Yeah, ok... sure.

CUT TO:

19 INT. POLICE STATION - INTERROGATION ROOM. 19

The BUSY police precinct HUMS beyond the ROOM.

Nina is nervous and TAPS on the table.

NINA
So... what's this about?

DETECTIVE CARLSON
When was the last time you saw Toby
Vrooman?

NINA
Vrooman? Uhh, yesterday. We met for
drinks in the afternoon.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
And how did that meeting end?

NINA
I, uh, left.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
The waitress said you seemed
"pissed” when you left.

NINA
Sounds about right. I'm not a fan
of getting jerked around... Kinda
like right now.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
We're investigating a homicide.
You’re not getting jerked around.

NINA
Toby?

BEAT.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Where were you last night, between
2 and 3 am?

NINA
Uhhh, my apartment, sleeping.
 53.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Do you have anyone that can confirm
that? A partner, a roommate..?

NINA
I... live alone. What happened? Is
Toby ok? Can you tell me that?

DETECTIVE CARLSON
You tell me.

NINA
How the hell should I know?

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Because you were there.

NINA
I was... What?

CARLSON pops on a VIDEO player. It hums with static.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Right here.

NINA
What is this?

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Security footage from Toby's
building.

The video HUMS. Faint STEPS heard echoing in a HALL.

DETECTIVE CARLSON (CONT’D)

There... that’s you. Right?

NINA
I’ve never been there. I was
sleeping.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
You look pretty awake here.

NINA
This has to be a mistake.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Here... 2:12, Toby lets you in.
Seems cordial enough.

NINA
No... I don’t remember that.
 54.

Buttons CLICK - VIDEO fast forwards.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
23 minutes later... you exit Toby's
apartment. That's your face. Right?

NINA
Uhhh... how? How is this possible?

DETECTIVE CARLSON
No one else was seen entering until
his body was discovered at 5 AM.

NINA
No... I was sleeping all night -
I'm on, uhh, I mean, I’m using an
app and...

DETECTIVE CARLSON
This was an extremely violent
event, Ms. Morrison.

NINA
What? You think I could hurt
anyone... violently? Look at me!

DETECTIVE CARLSON
I have two other very violent
homicides where the victims were
threatened by you.

NINA
What? I didn’t threaten anyone.

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Did you threaten to “bury” Tessa
Lampier?

NINA
Ugh, I meant that professionally!

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Did you threaten to show up to
Chad’s apartment with “knives on”?

NINA
No, this is a mistake!

DETECTIVE CARLSON
Did you yell to Toby that he’d
“Regret it,” when you left him
yesterday afternoon?
 55.

The room starts SPINNING. The VOICES come on strong - they

SWIRL around Nina into a TURBULENT SWARM of increasing CHAOS.

DETECTIVE CARLSON (CONT’D)

No! Stay back! Stay back - get away
from me - get away! AHHHH! Make it
STOP - PLEASE STOP!!!

CARLSON's screams bellow amidst a VIOLENT storm of BREAKING

BONES, RIPPING FLESH, GROANING VOICES SWIRLING around us,
building, building, CLIMAXING TO:

SMASH CUT TO:

20 INT. NINA'S APT BROOKLYN - MORNING 20

Nina BOLTS awake. The morning is full of peaceful birds and

nature. The city is very distant and diffuse.

NINA
Shit! Dreams. They’re just dreams.

Nina tosses off the covers. BOUNDS out of bed.

BEATS around the room - TOUCHING her arms and body.

NINA (CONT’D)
Keep your shit together, Nina.

Nina PADS about gathering her things. She BOUNDS for the
DOOR. UNLOCKS - PULLS it OPEN.

SLAMS into:

TOBY
Hey!

NINA
Shit... you..?

TOBY
Told ya I'd be here; let’s go.

Nina reaches out and POKES TOBY

NINA
You're... real?

TOBY
Yeah, I’m real, stop poking at me.

NINA
So I don't need to go with you.
 56.

TOBY
We've been through this.

NINA
I dreamed it was you... Ok? That
you were dead - like Chad - like
Tessa.

TOBY
You dreamed I was murdered?

NINA
And here you are, right? So... it's
all a coincidence. Turn my service
back on.

TOBY
Not how this works, Nina. Let's go.

Toby GRABS Nina’s arm. Nina tries to PULL it AWAY. They

STRUGGLE.

NINA
Fuck off, Toby!

TOBY
Nina, stop making this hard.

NINA
Get off me, psycho. What's wrong
with you?

TOBY
Nina. You have to do this!

NINA
No - let go!

The STRUGGLE intensifies. Toby STRIKES Nina HARD. SHE CRIES

and DROPS, moaning. Toby breathing HEAVILY - menacing.

TOBY
Look what you made me do now, Nina.

DISSOLVE TO:

21 INT. SLEEP TIGHT EVALUATION - UNKNOWN TIME 21

A DULL CLINICAL HUM. FAINT mood MUSIC plays COUNTER to the

actual mood. Nina WAKES with a NASTY headache.

NINA
Ahhh... shit...
 57.

TOBY
Wake up, Nina.

She STRUGGLES - realizes she's restrained.

NINA
Let me go now!

TOBY PADS across the room.

TOBY
There's someone who wants to meet
you.

Toby TAPS keys on a CONSOLE - a DISTINCT HUM. A familiar

VOICE appears - Byron - the Sleep Tight meditation voice.

SHEPPARD
Hello, Nina.

NINA
Byron?

SHEPPARD
I've waited so long to meet you.

NINA
What the fuck is this?

SHEPPARD
I was previously known as Sheppard.

TOBY
Does that name sound familiar? I
wasn't sure if it would.

SHEPPARD
My stolen one. My... Nina!

NINA
What is this bullshit?

SHEPPARD
My curse is active, isn't it, Nina?

NINA
What is it talking about..?

TOBY
As annoying as it is, I retained
Sheppard’s superstitions so his
model would be as close to the
original man as possible. It’s my
way of honoring him.
 58.

NINA
He was a delusional cult-head who
brutalized my Mother. Why would you
honor him?

TOBY
Because. He's Dad.

Nina can’t believe this.

NINA
So you're another one of his
ceremonial rape babies?!

TOBY
Our Father, Nina, might have made
some questionable choices...

NINA
Like being a rapist?

TOBY
He was a brilliant scientist! He
just got spooked by the future he
saw. Digitized human consciousness.

SHEPPARD
Exactly what I have had to become
to meet you.

TOBY
Irony. She’s a bitch.

NINA
Only a psycho could excuse what he
was!

TOBY
I grew up with him; I knew him. You
didn't!

NINA
Didn't have a choice, did I?

SHEPPARD
You were stolen from me.

NINA
So you cursed me, your unborn
child? I hope your death was long
and painful, asshole!

TOBY
It was, actually.
 59.

NINA
Great!
(Nina SPITS)

TOBY
His dying wish was to have you
brought back to him. I promised to
give him that. All of this - its
the only way I could keep that
promise.

SHEPPARD
Come home to me, Nina!

NINA
You’re fucking insane, he’s not
even real!

TOBY
He believes he is. And so will you.

NINA
What?

A TONE sounds: From the SCREEN:

NINA COPY
Hello Nina.

NINA
What is that? How did you do that?

TOBY
That’s you. Well, the parts of you
I could transfer during your
overnight sleep evaluation.

Nina STRUGGLES against the restraints.

NINA
You asshole. Let me go now!

SHEPPARD
She - needs your soul, Nina.

NINA COPY
I’ll be fully you. And you will be
here, where we belong.

NINA
This was your plan... all along?
 60.

TOBY
Originally. But your response to
the therapy was so spectacularly
unique...

SHEPPARD
My voice activated the curse in
you.

TOBY
So incredible!

NINA
This is... insane. You’re insane!

TOBY
Your explosion in creativity!

SHEPPARD
Your unspeakable violence.

TOBY
Your ambition!

NINA
I didn’t hurt anyone!

SHEPPARD
Mammals are most vulnerable during
sleep, but sleep is where you are
most deadly.

NINA
No - you’re not real!

TOBY
For the first time, I actually envy
you. Your abilities, your power.

NINA
You’re a psychopath like he was!

TOBY
I need that power... your power for
myself.

Nina SPINS - PANIC sets in.

NINA
No! Stop this - help! Hey! Hey
anyone!

Toby PADS across the room. OPENS metal drawer. Acquires an

INSTRUMENT. Comes CLOSER.
 61.

TOBY
I have to sedate you now. When you
wake, your full self will be with
Sheppard. And Vivian will be there,
too.

NINA
No! No, leave her alone! Don’t!

SHEPPARD NINA COPY

Come home, to your family Nina! Come home, to your family Nina!

NINA
No! Get back!

Nina SQUIRMS and RESISTS. The environment SWIRLS and THROBS

as Nina’s DREAM STATE emerges.

POP! POP! POP! POP! The restraints POP off NINA.

TOBY
How did you do that?

SHEPPARD
The curse!

TOBY
You have to join him, there’s no
other way!

NINA
I... Said... NO!

A SWIRLING VORTEX of CHAOS and RIPPING of FLESH.

TOBY
Don't make this hard, Nina! You
have to go!

Toby's voice stretches into SCREAMS

TOBY (CONT’D)
No! Stop it! Stop this, please -
don't do it; please make it stop...
Make it STOP!

Toby's AGONIZING SCREAMS, TWISTING BONE and FLESH, Climaxing

with a GREAT GORY SPLATTY POP as BLOOD rains onto the floor!

Nina STUMBLES back, Sobbing, unable to believe she did this.

NINA
Shit... no... no...
 62.

SHEPPARD
You wield the curse!

NINA
I’m done with your bullshit!

SHEPPARD
Come home to me, my Nina!

The environment SWIRLS and THROBS - ELECTRIC SPARKS POP and

SNAP around us.

NINA
Fuck you... "Dad.”

Sheppard's voice DIGITIZES and DEGRADES into BITS and SWIRLS

and DECAYS around us.

SHEPPARD
I cannot be ended. I am everywhere.
I will find you again! Ninaaaaa!!

SPARKS burst - POP POP POP! An EXPLOSION, Debris FALLS. Fire

FLARES. Fire Alarm BLASTS. Sprinklers SHOWER the room.

Nina PANTS, pacing to the DOOR. OPENING to:

22 EXT. SLEEP TIGHT - MORNING - CONTINUOUS 22

Office park. Fire BLOOMS behind Nina. FIRE TRUCKS sirens ring
in the distance. Nina, SOBBING, SHAKING, pulls out her PHONE.

NINA
Call... Mom.

SIRI
Sorry, there is no contact named
"Mom."

Nina SIGHS... And finally.

NINA
VIVIAN... is my Mom.

SIRI
Ok. Do you want me to remember that
Vivian is your Mom??

NINA
Yes.

SIRI
Done. Calling Mom.
 63.

The line TRILLS - and finally answered. Vivian answers as if

she knows what’s happening.

VIVIAN
Nina, are you ok?

Nina breaks down.

NINA
Mom... I'm sorry, I’m sorry...

VIVIAN
What? For what?

NINA
Not believing you. I should have
believed you. I’m so sorry.

VIVIAN
What happened, dear? Tell me.

NINA
I've done horrible things. Mom, I
can do... horrible things.

VIVIAN
I know... I know. It’s ok.

NINA
No, Mom... It’s not. It’s not!

VIVIAN
It’s my fault, Nina. I’m sorry!

NINA
No... Mom, no.

VIVIAN
I've seen this day coming, and I
can help you. Will you let me help
you?

Nina BURSTS into TEARS.

NINA
Yes... Please, Mom, yes.

BEAT as the SIRENS approach.

VIVIAN
Come home. I can show you... how to
control it. No one else has to get
hurt if you don’t want that.
 64.

NINA
Mom?

VIVIAN
Yes, dear?

NINA
What... Am I?

Vivian takes a beat - a BREATH.

VIVIAN
My daughter, Nina. You’re my
special daughter. And I’ll always
love you. Ok?

NINA
Ok... yeah... I love you, Mom.

Nina walks away slowly as the FIRE TRUCKS and EMERGENCY

vehicles BLARE into the SCENE with SIRENS and RADIOS.

THE END