Burnt

The following was written to a prompt at Go Into The Story: Write a scene up to 2 pages long in which you begin with this line: “Smoke stings his/her eyes.”
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BURNT

INT. URBAN BLIND PIG — AFTER MIDNIGHT

Smoke stings her eyes as NOE sits through another set, slowly nursing a vodka-rocks. She watches guitarist KAL to the exclusion of the rest of his bandmates.

KAL watches NOE, too, blinking away the filmy haze of cigarette and pot smoke as he performs.

The set ends. KAL breaks down and stows his portion of the equipment on the band’s dais. NOE stands, abandoning what’s left of her drink to pace in front of her table as she watches and waits.

CLOSE ON KAL as he approaches NOE, leaning in tight to whisper in her ear

KAL

You deliberately teased the fuck out of me all evening, didn’t you?

NOE

Who, me? Hell no, I—

KAL cuts her off, gripping her chin in his hand as he kisses her breathless, pulling away only after he feels her relax. NOE’s eyes are heavy, her mouth slack, prompting KAL to smirk.

KAL

Yeah, you. Your nasty little skirt kept slipping all night. Every time I looked down I got a flash of your thighs.

Muffled shouts and breaking glass wrenches KAL’s attention away from NOE. Their heads turn in tandem, looking for the source of the noise.

KAL grips her upper arms and pulls her toward him as he whispers in her ear.

KAL

It’s a raid.

NOE

(panicky)

Shit, I can’t be here, my husband—

Wild-eyed, she clutches at his arms as he jerks her along, dragging her toward the back door.

BLACK OUT.

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© Copyright 2013—All rights reserved.

By Femme Malheureuse

Dire Straits

This script was written to a prompt at Go Into The Story for September: Scene Writing Month. The challenge for September 4th: Write a scene featuring two characters sitting on the edge of a bridge.
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DIRE STRAITS (Ver. 1 - shorter)

EXT. STRAITS OF MACKINAW - NAUTICAL MORNING TWILIGHT

CLOSE ON profiles of two teenagers who lean together. Her head rests on his shoulder as they sit, looking toward impending sunrise.

EMMA sighs as SAM shuts his eyes. They listen to the susurrus waves as seagulls squawk overhead and early fishing boats thrum in the distance.

CLOSE ON their hands, joined on his denim-covered thigh. Their hands push back and forth at each other as they talk.

EMMA (V.O.)

You started this. You're the only person who has ever gotten under my skin.

SAM (V.O.)

No, you started this. You've known me since first grade. You know which of my buttons to press.

EMMA (V.O.)

You didn't have to goad me, though.

SAM (V.O.)

And you didn't have to call me a chicken.

CLOSE ON their profiles as they continue to watch the changing light as they talk.

EMMA

You know I can't back down from a dare. Especially in front of people. Like the entire cafeteria. What was up with that?

SAM

You could've stopped right after you swallowed the goldfish in Biology. But no, you had to call me a chicken when I didn't want to eat one, too.

EMMA

Serves you right. You're lucky that goldfish only gave you diarrhea.

SAM

I don't think it was the fish. I think it was nerves. (beat) Are we done now? Did I prove I wasn't chicken? Will you promise not to call me chicken if I don't dare you again?

EMMA

(laughing)

I promise.

SAM

I promise, too.

CLOSE ON the couple as SAM leans into her a bit. SAM kisses EMMA's forehead. EMMA looks up and kisses him back on his lips. They stare at each other again for a moment before looking toward the sun as it peeks over the horizon.

EMMA

(grins broadly)

Race you back to the beach. Last one to hit the sand has to start thumbing for the ride home.

SAM

(looking shocked at first, then intent)

Oh hell no, I'm not thumbing, you are!

VERTICAL PAN UP AND OUT SLOWLY as the couple scrambles from where their seat on the edge of the Mackinaw Bridge deck, more than 150 feet above the water between lakes Huron and Michigan, two miles from the straits' southern shore.

FADE OUT.

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© Copyright 2013 — All rights reserved.

By Femme Malheureuse