INT. LOCAL POLICE STATION - DAY
Bertie walks into the station with a worried look on his face. Police officer Dumble is sitting behind a desk
OFFICER DUMBLE: 42, male, taller than average, overweight, mostly bald, African American.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
What can I help you with kid?
BERTIE
Please sir, I think my Dad is going to hurt my mum
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
Isn’t it past your bedtime
BERTIE
Can’t you help me?
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
So, he hasn’t actually hurt her?
BERTIE
No, but he’s going to. I know he is.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
Kid, we can’t follow up every call on a hunch
BERTIE
Please sir. I’ll even give you the money from my piggy bank.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
Are you aware that bribing a police officer is an offence that could result in jail time?
BERTIE
Wouldn’t that be just a waste of time and paperwork when you could be putting that guy in jail instead.
Bertie points to a guy with a Mohican hairstyle.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
That’s Gustav, the pizza delivery guy. Something tells me I’ll be eating it cold today.
I/E. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Officer Dumble rings the doorbell and Edgar answers
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Can I help you officer?
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
We’ve heard reports of a disturbance in the area. I just thought I’d call by.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Everything is perfectly fine officer. Would you like to come in?
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
Don’t mind if I do
Officer Dumble enters the living room.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Who exactly made the call?
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
I’m not at liberty to say.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
This is my wife, Santina. We were just about to have dinner. Would you like to join us?
Officer Dumble picks up a beer can and inspects it.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
My. You do have a lot of beer cans
EDGAR RAMIREZ
I’m a Cowboys fan. They won tonight.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
Don’t forget to recycle.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
My husband is very conscientious officer.
POLICE OFFICER DUMBLE
It’s obviously a bunch of dial happy neighbours wasting police time. I won’t take up any more of your time.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
Lydia and Calum are seated opposite each other in a cafe.
LYDIA
I’ve started to see someone else.
CALUM RODGERS
Oh
LYDIA
I feel that we’re not made for each other.
She pauses briefly
It’s like we like different things. I like Hallmark movies but you like movies with violence.
CALUM RODGERS
Well, I’m sorry if Death Wish 7 is a classic that you can’t relate to.
LYDIA
You like heavy metal music and I like.. well more classical music.
CALUM RODGERS
Lynryd Skynyrd aren’t heavy metal
LYDIA
Well, they are to me.
She pauses briefly
Well this someone else is special. He’s thoughtful, handsome, charming and well.. interesting.
CALUM RODGERS
Well congratulations. It sounds like you have hit the jackpot.
LYDIA
You know him.
INT. LOCAL BAR - NIGHT
Calum and Julius are seated at a bar
JULIUS SPECTOR
Well Calum, I told you she wasn’t worth it. Those heart shaped pieces of toast would have freaked me out. At least now you don’t have to look at the Hallmark channel every Saturday night or walk her dog.
CALUM RODGERS
Well at least I know your not her new man.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Perish the thought. Remember the time when she knitted you a pink jumper with holes in it and insisted you wear it?
CALUM RODGERS
Yeah, but why do I feel down about it?
JULIUS SPECTOR
Because you’re only focusing on the good stuff. What about the time she made miniature puppets and put on a puppet show where PC puppet beat the lard out of you?
CALUM RODGERS
That was Jemima, my previous girlfriend.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Well, even I’ve had more luck with women than you. Things can only get better.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD (LIVING ROOM) - EVENING
Santina enters the living room while Edgar sits on the couch with a beer can in his hand, watching TV.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Sit down honey
He gestures for her to sit beside him.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I wouldn’t want to interrupt your sports viewing
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Don’t worry. It’s half time.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Well, what is it?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
I was out with the boys last night as you know and they were talking about this guy Rodgers.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Yeah
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Turns out he’s a bad egg. He’s a total cleptomaniac. He’s been in court for loads of stuff. Total liar too. He lies about this and that. Best of all he’s plain stupid. He thinks that Stanley Twobricks is a rubbish Director.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Should we be worried about the kids?
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Just don’t invite him over. He’s as dumb as they come. He thinks Hawaii is a part of the United States. You just couldn’t make it up.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Oh Edgar
She goes to put her arm around him but he moves away.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
The second half is coming on. You can watch it if you want.
Edgar drinks what remains of his beer and tosses the empty can in the direction of the waste bin. There are numerous beer cans in the vicinity of the waste bin but none inside it.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Don’t worry honey. My aim is a little off. It will get better.
INT. FUNERAL OF SANTINA’S FATHER (SANTINA’S DREAM) - DAY
Within Santina’s dream she is moving through people at her Father’s funeral. As she walks through the crowd she can hear the voices of three middle-aged women.
FUNERAL GOER 1 (O.S.)
I heard she didn’t even talk to him in twenty years
FUNERAL GOER 2 (O.S.)
I heard she neglects her children. Doesn’t have time for them.
FUNERAL GOER 3 (O.S.)
She lives for her dreams. Pathethic
FUNERAL GOER 1 (O.S.)
Takes money from her mother and wastes it
FUNERAL GOER 2 (O.S.)
Pretentious if you ask me.
FUNERAL GOER 3 (O.S.)
Completely full of herself. What will she do next?
Santina is visibly affected by these taunts.
INT. ITALIAN RESTAURANT - EVENING
Within Santina’s dream, she is sitting in a restaurant alone at a table when a man enters. His face is still not visible.
MYSTERY MAN
May I sit here
Santina has a pleasant smile on her face
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Yes of course.
MYSTERY MAN
I don’t usually pay compliments but you look absolutely stunning.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I’m sorry but I didn’t catch your name.
MYSTERY MAN
I’ll leave it to your imagination.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I’ve had a horrid day. A lot of people in this world seem to think I’m a bad person. I don’t feel like I can talk about it to anyone.
MYSTERY MAN
Well I can’t tell you how to live your life. It’s not meant to be easy. You have to take the rough with the smooth.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Do you think I should give up on my dreams?
MYSTERY MAN
I wish I could live in the real world. You only feel truly alive when you love someone. Right now, I am a figment of your imagination.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
You seem real to me
MYSTERY MAN
Only you can make me real.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
Calum is seated at a table in a cafe, when Diego arrives.
DIEGO
Hey Calum, I’m sorry about taking Lydia from you.
CALUM RODGERS
You’re a lucky guy
DIEGO
I just think she’s so sweet, making hearts out of everything. Last night she told me I was the world’s greatest lover. Nobody ever said anything like that to me before. Of course you’re the only other person she’s been with.
CALUM RODGERS
Well it didn’t really work out between us.
DIEGO
One day it will work out for you like it has with me and Lydia. It’s a certainty, like me being the next Mankewicz. You’ll be like Bonnie and Clyde, Thelma and Louse. You’ll see.
INT. LOCAL CAFE - DAY
Santina is seated alone in the cafe, when Calum enters. He approaches her.
CALUM RODGERS
May I sit with you for a moment?
SANTINA RAMIREZ
It better be brief.
CALUM RODGERS
It’s about Bertie. I’ve noticed a change in him. Whenever I mention baseball it brings him down. A few weeks ago, it was the be all and end all.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I don’t really want you interfering in my children’s lives Mr Rodgers. After all you’re just a janitor. It’s not like you’re a super qualified psychiatrist with a heart of gold.
CALUM RODGERS
I want to help your kids Santina not interfere in your life.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I don’t see the difference.
CALUM RODGERS
I’m not obsessed with you Santina. I want to find someone of my own. You never feel truly alive until you love someone and maybe that person is just around the corner for me.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Mr Rodgers...
CALUM RODGERS
And if you’re happy with Edgar, good for you. I hope he makes you feel on top of the world and brings your kids more joy than they can handle.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Are you finished?
CALUM RODGERS
More or less.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
At least Edgar didn’t spend time in prison.
CALUM RODGERS
Neither did I
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Yeah, well, he says you did and who am I to believe. Then there was the time you hoodwinked Mrs Timmerman into giving you hundreds of dollars.
CALUM RODGERS
I’ve never even met Mrs Timmerman
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Well, I’m sure there’s got to be something that’s true.
CALUM RODGERS
Lydia complained that I pick my nose and let off wind too much
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I knew there was something.
CALUM RODGERS
I’m not perfect but you certainly don’t want me to be and I can live with that. I hope you enjoy the rest of your coffee.
Calum stands up and leaves.
INT. CLINIC OF DREAMS (DR DRAGO'S OFFICE) - DAY
Mr Veratini enters Dr Drago’s office. Doctor Drago is seated behind his desk.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Mrs Ramirez appointment is set for tomorrow. Have you discovered anything more in relation to this mystery man of hers?
MR VERATINI
The man from the cafe, Mr Noble is a serial philanderer. I don’t think he’s who we are looking for.
DOCTOR DRAGO
There must be an alternative
MR VERATINI
There’s another man she dislikes.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Yes?
MR VERATINI
She says, he’s a coward and not to be trusted. She is suspicious that he has a dark past
DOCTOR DRAGO
Have you found out anything about his past.
MR VERATINI
He’s a janitor who lost his previous job for being described as mentally unstable in court.
DOCTOR DRAGO
So he has psychological problems
MR VERATINI
He previously attended a psychiatrist in his youth. Do you think this is are guy? She detests him.
DOCTOR DRAGO
The male mind is dominated by five motivating factors, Mr Veratini. Beer, sex, money, more beer and more sex. Scientists have examined the female mind for centuries and all they know is that they know nothing.
MR VERATINI
I understand sir.
DOCTOR DRAGO
If the surgery does not work out with Mrs Ramirez we have to eliminate all possibilities.
MR VERATINI
Yes sir.
DOCTOR DRAGO
The consequences Mr Veratini, could be disastrous. I could lose my fortune. Goodbye fine dining and hello Wimpy’s. You see how important this is?
MR VERATINI
Crystal sir.
INT. RAMIREZ HOUSEHOLD - EVENING
Santina answers the door to Julius Spector.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Mrs Ramirez I am a journalist. I would like to discuss something with you.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Please, come in.
JULIUS SPECTOR
I’d like to talk to you about the Clinic of Dreams. I can pay you money Mrs Ramirez for an interview.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
How much?
JULIUS SPECTOR
Four hundred dollars.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
Take the money honey.
JULIUS SPECTOR
Two hundred now and two hundred when I’ve finished Mrs Ramirez
SANTINA RAMIREZ
You’re a friend of the janitor.
JULIUS SPECTOR
In a manner of speaking, but this is in a professional capacity.
EDGAR RAMIREZ
A professional eh? I’ll take the two hundred dollars Spector. I’m good with money
Julius hands over the money
SANTINA RAMIREZ
What do you want to know Mr Spector?
INT. CLINIC OF DREAMS (OPERATING ROOM) - DAY
Santina is placed on an operating table with Doctor Drago and a nurse by her side.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Try to relax, Mrs Ramirez this will all be over in a moment.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I’m not sure I want to go through with it Doctor. I kind of like my mystery man, wrong as it seems.
DOCTOR DRAGO
Losing control of your dreams, Mrs Ramirez could mean returning to nightmares and misery with nothing to look forward to. You may not see him again if it isn’t corrected.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Are there any risks or side effects that I should be aware of?
DOCTOR DRAGO
Trust me Mrs Ramirez. Let’s not think of the side effects. Once you have signed the disclaimer form you have no reason to worry. Now, take the tablet.
Santina takes the tablet.
INT. SMALL ROOM AT UNKNOWN LOCATION (WITHIN SANTINA’S DREAM) - DAY
Santina and the mystery man are locked in a room together. The windows have bars on them and there is a double bed.
Santina tries to open the door.
MYSTERY MAN
It’s locked
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Do you know why we’re here?
MYSTERY MAN
I was hoping that you could tell me.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
What do you mean by that?
MYSTERY MAN
This is where you get to kill me off.
As he says this water starts to enter the otherwise sealed off room
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I don’t want to kill you off. Haven’t you noticed, I’m in the same room.
MYSTERY MAN
Yes, but you will wake up and I will disappear. I will cease to exist.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I will remember you.
MYSTERY MAN
You don’t even know what I look like.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
Can’t we just think of something happier, something that will make us feel on top of the world again.
MYSTERY MAN
I wish I could teach you not to live in your dreams. I’m out there somewhere yet to be discovered.
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I have a man
MYSTERY MAN
I can’t tell you what to do
SANTINA RAMIREZ
This water is getting higher.
MYSTERY MAN
I can’t swim
SANTINA RAMIREZ
I will save you.
MYSTERY MAN
How?