CHILD's PLAY
CHILD’S PLAY
FADE IN: INT. A DARK HOUSE, NIGHT The house is empty. There is no furniture and the lights are all off. The curtain is moving lightly as the wind blows through the open window. A sound echoes through the house: footsteps. Suddenly heavy panting and heaving is heard. A dark figure approaches in the doorway, dragging a woman on the floor. The woman’s hands and legs are bound, and her mouth is taped shut. She is struggling to get free. The figure finally speaks with a voice which sounds like two voices are speaking at once. VOICE I just wanted to be loved. The knife comes down. EXT. MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT (OMAN), DAY An airplane is landing on the tarmac. A stewardess is heard speaking through a mic as the plane taxis on the runway. STEWARDESS Ladies and Gentlemen, on behalf of our captain and cabin crew, I would like to welcome you to Muscat International Airport. Thank you for flying with us and we hope you have a pleasant stay. The plane now stops and we see the tarmac buses making their way towards the plane. The engine is turned off, and people start to unbuckle their safety belts. INT. MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DAY Two Americans, JENNIFER MASON (17), and her mother, BRIDGET MASON (46), make their way towards the immigration queue. Jenny has dark brown shoulder-length hair and hazel eyes, both contrasting with her pale white skin. Bridget, on the other hand, has a blond bob and blue eyes. Jenny scans the crowd. Her eyes widen as the feeling of unfamiliarity sets in.
Aashti Bawa
2. EXT. MUSCAT INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, DAY Bridget and Jenny finally walk out of the airport with their luggage. They walk over to the Bluebird Cab stand. Jenny watches as Bridget speaks to a CAB DRIVER and gives him the address. His face changes, portraying a look of distress. After a moment of hesitation, he nods and walks them to the cab. Jenny and Bridget sit in the cab as the driver mumbles to himself in Arabic while putting their luggage in the trunk. INT. BLUEBIRD CAB, DAY Jenny and Bridget are looking out the windows of the cab, observing and appreciating the greenery and scenery of the city. They pass by the Grand Mosque in the Ghala Industrial Sector. BRIDGET Look Jenny. Look at how beautiful that mosque is. JENNY (Unenthusiastically) Yeah it’s really pretty Mom. CAB DRIVER (Looking at their reflection in his rear view mirror) That is where the King prays when he is in the city. BRIDGET Oh does the King not live in Muscat? CAB DRIVER No no. The King’s palace is actually located in Salalah, which is about twelve hours from here. BRIDGET Well that’s very interesting. JENNY Yup Mom. Very interesting. Bridget turns to Jenny, and notices her lack of interest. BRIDGET Jenny, I know you’re worried about us being in a different unknown region of the world and (MORE) (CONTINUED) CHILD’S PLAY
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3. BRIDGET (cont’d) you’re worried whether you’ll fit in or notJENNY (Interrupting) No Mom. That’s not it. I’m actually very excited. I’m just a little worried about you. BRIDGET Look, don’t worry about that. We’ve discussed this before. I’m fine now. It’s good my company transferred me here. God knows they knew I needed it. This is our chance to have a fresh start. We’ll be fine, I promise.
Jenny and Bridget smile at each other. They pull up in front of a large house. The house has white walls and a brown tiled roof. At the front there are four windows visible, each with their own brown tiled coverings. The front door is brown and has a quaint little entrance with a covered patio. There are several dead leaves rustling about the garage, and at the front entrance are dead potted plants. Jenny and Bridget step out of the cab. The cab driver refuses to step out and help them with their luggage. BRIDGET But our bags are heavy. Could you just at least help us take them out? CAB DRIVER No Madam. I cannot. The cab driver mumbles and speaks to himself in Arabic again. Bridget, perplexed, pays him and then helps Jenny take the bags out of the trunk. As they shut the trunk door, the driver races away. BRIDGET What an odd man! Jenny and Bridget walk toward the entrance. Bridget takes out the front door keys from her bag. She fits a key into the lock and turns it.
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4. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD, DAY The door opens. Jenny and Bridget stand at the entrance looking into the house. In the foyer there is a winding marble staircase. They walk inside and see all of their boxes piled up around the foyer. To the right is the living room, filled with furniture covered with plastic sheets. BRIDGET Welcome home. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD, DAY Jenny and Bridget are in the living room unpacking their boxes. Bridget takes the box marked ’Kitchen Supplies’ and carries it into the kitchen. Jenny is unpacking a box marked ’Living Room’. Whilst unwrapping the bubble wrap from a photo frame, she hears something behind her, and her face changes to a look of suspicion. A shadow appears behind Jenny, and she turns to look. It is a GIRL (13) with long black hair and dark brown eyes. She stands with a smile on her face. GIRL I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. Jenny notices a hint of an Arab tone to the girl’s English. JENNY (Skeptical, yet calm) Oh, it’s okay. Umm... Hi. GIRL Hi. My name is Rabia Rahman. I live next door. Your door was open, so I thought I’d just come to say hi. Rabia smiles, puts her hand up, and gives Jenny a short waving gesture. JENNY Oh that’s really nice of you. I’m Jenny. I just moved in with my mother. RABIA Yes, I saw you from my window yesterday.
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5. BRIDGET (From the kitchen) Jenny, I can’t find the kettle. Do you think it’s in one of...
Bridget has now walked in to the living room and sees Rabia. BRIDGET ... Oh, I didn’t realize we had company. Hi, I’m Bridget. I’m Jenny’s mother. JENNY Mom, this is Rabia. She lives next door. Rabia waves politely and smiles as Jenny introduces her. BRIDGET It’s very nice to meet you Rabia. RABIA It’s very nice to meet you too. BRIDGET I’m sorry the house is such a mess. We’ve just moved in and are finally unpacking and setting up. RABIA Can I help? BRIDGET Oh, umm, of course you can. Are you sure your parents won’t mind? RABIA No, they’ll be okay. Bridget smiles at her. BRIDGET Okay, well I’m sure we could use all the help we can get. Why don’t you help Jenny out with the living room boxes then? RABIA Okay, sure. Bridget walks back into the kitchen, her stride full of energy. Jenny points to a box. JENNY You can start with that one. It’s already open and just has some (MORE) (CONTINUED) 5
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6. JENNY (cont’d) small items in it. Nothing too strenuous. Cool.
RABIA
Jenny opens up a different box and starts to unpack. Rabia looks at the picture frame that Jenny had been unwrapping before she walked in. RABIA Where do I put this? Jenny looks at Rabia, and then at the picture. She takes the picture frame from Rabia’s hands. Mom.
JENNY
Bridget walks back into the living room. BRIDGET What is it? JENNY Where should we put this? Jenny shows the picture frame to Bridget. Bridget looks at the picture and is hesitant to take it at first, but eventually takes it from Jenny. BRIDGET Oh, umm... how about over there on that mantel? Her tone drops while she says this, displaying her emotions slightly. BRIDGET (To Rabia) Well, it’s a beautiful picture isn’t it? She shows the picture to Rabia and then smiles a soft, yet sad, smile. Rabia’s eyes focus on the picture. RABIA Who is that? Bridget looks to Rabia for a second. BRIDGET Oh, that’s Jeff. He is... was my husband.
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7. RABIA What happened to him? He died.
BRIDGET
Bridget looks at the picture again. RABIA Oh... I’m sorry to hear that. Bridget smiles at Rabia, then hands Jenny the picture. She walks back into the kitchen. The bounce in her stride has gone. Jenny glances over at Rabia and goes back to unpacking. Rabia looks over at Bridget, then at Jenny suspiciously, and continues to unpack the boxes. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - JENNY’S ROOM, MIDNIGHT The clock has just struck midnight. Jenny is sleeping in her bed. The windows are open. It is a clear night and there is no movement, except for the curtains rustling due to the slight breeze outside. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD, MIDNIGHT The foyer is dark and empty. The floors creak and the faint sound of footsteps is heard on the ground floor. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - BRIDGET’S ROOM, MIDNIGHT Bridget is fast asleep in her bed. On her nightstand are two unopened bottles of sleeping pills and anti-depressants. Her bedroom door creaks opens slowly and a shadow appears over her bed. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - JENNY’S ROOM, DAY The clock on Jenny’s nightstand shows that it is 7 in the morning. Jenny’s eyes open and she stretches in bed. She turns to face the window and looks outside. It is a bright sunny morning and the sky is clear. Suddenly she hears her mother yell out to her. BRIDGET Jenny! Jenny come here now! Jenny jumps out of bed with a panic-stricken look. She runs out of her room.
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Aashti Bawa
8. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - BRIDGET’S ROOM, DAY Jenny appears in the doorway. Bridget is sitting on the side of her bed looking down at her hands. She is holding something. JENNY Mom what is it? What happened? Bridget looks up at Jenny in anger. She shows Jenny what she is holding. It is a picture of Jenny, Bridget and a man, taken on vacation. The man is Jenny’s father. It is the picture Jenny had placed on the mantel the day before. BRIDGET What is this doing here? JENNY I don’t know Mom. I put it on the mantel. BRIDGET Are you trying to play games Jenny? Because this isn’t very funny. JENNY Mom, I think you and I both know that I wouldn’t do that to you. BRIDGET Well, how did this picture get to my nightstand then? JENNY I swear, I don’t know. Are you sure you didn’t sleepwalk or something? BRIDGET No, Jenny. Well, at least I don’t think so. Jenny shrugs her shoulders. BRIDGET Okay, well, this time I’m going to make sure it stays where it should. Bridget gets off her bed and walks out the door. Jenny turns and follows.
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9. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - LIVING ROOM, DAY Bridget enters the living room with the picture in her hand. Jenny walks in behind her. Bridget walks up to the mantel. BRIDGET I just can’t figure out how it got out of the frame Jenny. JENNY I don’t know either Mom, I swear. Bridget looks at Jenny and turns back to the mantel. She puts the picture back in the frame and stares at it for a moment. She places the frame back on the mantel, then silently turns and walks out of the room. Jenny is left standing by herself. EXT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - GARDEN, DAY The next day, Bridget and Jenny are out in their garden, cleaning and gardening. Jenny is raking the leaves and Bridget is replacing the layer of topsoil when they hear yells and screams from the house next door. They look at each other. BRIDGET What was that? JENNY I don’t know. Maybe just a domestic argument. BRIDGET (Cautiously) Yeah, probably. They go back to their gardening, when suddenly they hear a loud crash, as though something has been thrown with force and broken. BRIDGET Where did that come from? Jenny points to the right, assuming the noises came from there. JENNY Over there, I think. BRIDGET (Concerned) Doesn’t Rabia live there? Jenny gives her mom a concerned look, and they put down their rakes and shovels. 9
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10. BRIDGET Do you think we should go over? JENNY Mom, no! It’s none of our business. BRIDGET I know, but I’m worried. Besides-
Bridget develops a nonchalant look on her face. BRIDGET ... we haven’t met her family yet. I think we should introduce ourselves. Don’t you think? She starts to walk to the garden gate. She gestures to Jenny to follow her. They walk into the alley between their garden and the garden next door. Bridget turns to Jenny and puts her finger to her lips, gesturing to Jenny to stay quiet. Bridget opens the garden door and peeks inside. There is silence. She pushes the gate open. The garden is a mess. There are broken garden chairs, a fountain festering with mold, and dried leaves everywhere. It looks empty, deserted. They start to walk in, slowly, so as not to be heard by the tenants. They make their way up to the back door of the house, getting close enough to hear any voices inside. There is an eerie silence. Suddenly, they hear a giant BOOM from the inside, which sends them scurrying for cover. They look at each other, noticing the fright and shock on each other’s faces. They hurriedly make their way out, closing the gate behind them. INT. RABIA’S ROOM, DAY Rabia is standing at her window, silently watching Bridget and Jenny rush out of the garden. She turns and starts to walk out of her room. She reaches her door, and turns back to face her room. It is empty. She continues to walk out. EXT. PARK, DAY The next know the across a herself.
day, Jenny is walking around the area to get to neighborhood better. On her stroll, she comes park and sees Rabia sitting on a swing by Jenny walks up to her and sits on a vacant swing. JENNY Hey! How are you doing?
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11.
I’m okay.
RABIA
Jenny notices that Rabia isn’t talking as much as she usually does, she’s more pensive. JENNY Is everything okay? Yeah.
RABIA
JENNY Are you sure? You know you can talk to me. RABIA Yeah. Just family problems. My mom hasn’t recovered fully yet. JENNY Recovered from what? RABIA She’s just not been well, mentally. JENNY Oh. I see. I’m sure she’ll get better. RABIA Trust me Jenny. I think it’s quite out of control. You wouldn’t know what I’m going through. I might.
JENNY
RABIA Well, I won’t tell you the details, but my mom and dad don’t have the best relationship. It’s affecting my mother very deeply. Rabia looks at Jenny, and sees Jenny looking at her. RABIA I told you, you wouldn’t understand. Rabia looks at Jenny while Jenny falls into deep thought. JENNY (To Rabia) I do actually. My mother and I (MORE) (CONTINUED) 11
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12. JENNY (cont’d) experienced something a little while ago. It changed our lives. Like what?
RABIA
JENNY Well, I was 15... FLASHBACK TO: INT. AMERICA, DAY Jenny is sitting on a school bus. JENNY (V.O.) (Continued) ... and I was on my way back from school. I had been feeling really uneasy all day but the feeling grew stronger as I got closer to home. RABIA (V.O.) What did you think was wrong? JENNY (V.O.) I didn’t think anything at the time. Nothing came to my mind. She gets off the bus and starts to walk. Reaching home, she looks at her house, noticing that the lights are still off. She unlocks the door and walks in. JENNY (V.O.) I called out for my parents. JENNY Hello? Mom, Dad, I’m home! JENNY (V.O.) But there was silence. I didn’t hear anything. They were supposed to be home. We were going to have a nice dinner together since we had all been busy for a while. JENNY (V.O.) I started making my way up the stairs to my parents’ room thinking that maybe they were just taking a nap. The floorboards creak beneath her.
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13.
She walks into her parents’ room which is the first door to the right when she reaches the top of the stairs. JENNY (V.O.) I couldn’t hear anything except the sound of running water. When I put the lights on, there was water everywhere. It was seeping out from the bathroom door. She hurries over to the bathroom and opens the door. She screams. Dad!
JENNY
His wrists are slit, and he is lying in his own blood. As Jenny turns to leave the bathroom to call the police, she sees Bridget standing behind her, her face frozen, her shock showing. Bridget falls to her knees, screaming. BRIDGET Jeff! Jeff! JENNY (V.O.) She was hysterical. Completely out of control. I knew from that moment on I’d have to take care of her. She was just too fragile. Things spiralled out of control beyond that point. BACK TO PRESENT: EXT. PARK, DAY Rabia continues to look at Jenny as Jenny’s gaze drifts off, the thoughts from her past haunting her again. Rabia flashes a sinister smile. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - BRIDGET’S ROOM, NIGHT Bridget is in bed, fast asleep. The floorboards in the hallway start to creak. Her door opens slowly and a shadow appears in the doorway. The shadow moves towards her bed and appears over Bridget. Bridget starts moving uncomfortably in bed. DREAM SEQUENCE: Bridget is in the kitchen washing dishes. She hears a noise from the garden. She looks out the window to see what it is. She opens the window. 13
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14. BRIDGET (Yelling out) Hello?
She hears no response so she shuts the window and goes back to her washing. A few seconds later she hears a noise again. She looks up out at the garden and sees a ruffling in the bushes. Confused, she goes out into the garden to look. When she opens the kitchen door, she finds herself deep in the woods on a misty day. She hears footsteps in front of her and follows the noise. BRIDGET Hello? Who’s out there? She follows the footsteps closely, but they start to get faster. She starts to run in order to keep up. They get faster. She’s sprinting now. It’s getting cold, and she can see her breath as she starts breathing heavily. Suddenly the footsteps stop. Bridget plants herself on the ground and catches her breath. She looks around. She’s deep in the misty woods. BRIDGET (Panicking) Is anybody out there? She looks around, the mist obscuring most of her vision. BRIDGET Can anybody hear me? She hears the crack of dry leaves in front of her. Someone is walking towards her. Her nerves start kicking in. BRIDGET Who’s there? An image appears in the misty distance. It starts becoming more and more visible. Bridget notices the silhouette of a man. She looks more closely. Her jaw drops in astonishment. Her eyes well up with tears. Jeff? Hi Bridge.
BRIDGET JEFF
BRIDGET I... I can’t believe it’s you. She runs to him, grabs him, and hugs him tight. BRIDGET (Crying) I’ve missed you. Oh! I’ve missed you so much. CHILD’S PLAY
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15. JEFF I know, Bridget. I know. BRIDGET Come back to me. I can’t.
JEFF
BRIDGET Why not? You’re here. I’m holding you. I can touch you, smell you. Come back to me. RABIA Because he’s dead. Bridget lets go of the person she thought was Jeff, stands back and sees Rabia standing there with a sinister grin on her face. END DREAM SEQUENCE Bridget sits up in bed suddenly, her cheeks wet with the tears she’s cried. She’s breathless. She looks to the side and sees Jenny is sitting on her bed. JENNY Mom, are you okay? You were having a bad dream. BRIDGET Jenny, it was horrible. JENNY Do you want to talk about it? BRIDGET (Hesitantly) No, no. I’ll be fine. It was nothing. JENNY Do you want me to sleep with you tonight? BRIDGET No dear. I’ll be fine. I promise. She gives Jenny a reassuring smile. JENNY Okay. Shout to me if you need anything.
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16. BRIDGET Alright. Good night.
Jenny walks out the door. Bridget turns and looks at the pills on her nightstand. She grabs a bottle, opens it, and swallows two. She takes a deep breath, lies back down in bed, and closes her eyes. The shadow appears again, this time in the hallway. Rabia is hiding, watching and listening. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD, NIGHT Jenny is sitting in her room listening to music through her headphones and reading. Bridget has just gotten home from work and is in the kitchen cooking. She is chopping onions, and her eyes are watering from the smell. There is pasta being boiled in a saucepan. She puts the knife down for a second and looks up at the ceiling. She takes in a deep breath to stop her eyes from burning. She hears a noise behind her. She looks at the window in front of her and sees a reflection and jumps. She grabs the knife and turns around. RABIA I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. BRIDGET Oh, it’s just you. Sorry, I’ve been a little on edge lately. RABIA (Giving a look of concern) Is everything okay? Bridget puts the knife down on the counter top. BRIDGET Yes, it’s fine. Just... stuff. Rabia gives Bridget a stern look whilst Bridget looks away. RABIA Well, I hope you will be okay. BRIDGET I’m sure I will Rabia, thank you for your concern. There is an awkward silence. Bridget walks to the side of the kitchen and opens a cupboard full of medicine. She grabs a bottle and opens it.
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17. RABIA What are those for? BRIDGET I just get anxious sometimes. My doctor gave them to me in America to make me feel calmer. RABIA I’m sure you don’t need them. Don’t doctors usually just give random pills to make people believe they’re taking medication? BRIDGET Ha, Rabia I’m sure my doctor knows what he’s doing.
Bridget starts taking two pills out of the bottle. Rabia stops her by grabbing her hand. Her grip on Bridget is strong. RABIA Trust me, you don’t need the pills. Bridget looks into Rabia’s eyes for a couple of seconds. RABIA Umm, I mean... that you’re stronger than this. My mom thought she needed pills, but she’s fine without them. BRIDGET (Smiling) I’m sure you’re right. I just had a bad dream last night. Brought back some bad memories. There is silence as Rabia looks at the pills for a while. Bridget, noticing this, puts them back in the cupboard to get Rabia’s gaze off them. Rabia looks back at Bridget, her face expressionless. Bridget grows more uncomfortable by the second. Rabia eventually smiles, as if snapping out of serious thought. RABIA So... what are you cooking? The scene changes over to Jenny’s room. She is still listening to music, unaware of Rabia’s presence in the house. Back in the kitchen, Bridget is still talking to Rabia.
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18. BRIDGET So, Rabia, how have I not met your parents yet? RABIA Oh... Umm... Well they’re always busy, you know, with work. They don’t spend much time at home.
Bridget turns her full attention to Rabia now. BRIDGET Wait, so you’re home alone all the time? RABIA Oh no, I... I have someone to look after me. Besides, even if I didn’t, I’ve been on my own so long, I can handle myself now. BRIDGET But you shouldn’t have to. You’re only, what, eleven years old? RABIA Thirteen actually. BRIDGET Well, I’m sure you spend most of your time at school anyways. RABIA No. I don’t actually. Bridget looks at Rabia, confused. Rabia notices this and quickly responds. RABIA Oh, I’m homeschooled. BRIDGET (Relaxed) Oh. Okay that’s alright. How’s that going for you then? RABIA It’s alright. Quite difficult. I don’t like that kind of work. BRIDGET Haha. Who does? What kind of work do you like then? RABIA Oh. I don’t know. I’m quite into games. I think I’d be very (MORE) (CONTINUED) CHILD’S PLAY
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19. RABIA (cont’d) interested in psychology when I grow up. BRIDGET Rabia, I hope you realize psychology isn’t a game. It’s a very honorable field to be in nowadays. RABIA Oh, I just like things to do with the mind. Like mind games, mind reading, etc. I like experimenting. BRIDGET That’s interesting. What types of experiments? RABIA Oh, I don’t think you’ve heard of any of the ones I’m into. Try me.
BRIDGET
RABIA Well I’m trying this one I like to call ’Child’s Play’. They look at each other. Bridget’s face is full of confusion, whilst Rabia’s eyes portray something else, something evil. BRIDGET You’re right. I’ve never heard of that one. RABIA (Grinning) Oh, I’ll show it to you sometime. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - DINING ROOM, NIGHT Jenny and Bridget are sitting at the table eating their dinner. BRIDGET Rabia’s an interesting girl isn’t she? JENNY What makes you say that?
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20. BRIDGET I don’t know. There’s something about her. She’s only thirteen, but whenever I speak to her, I feel like I’m speaking to someone my own age. JENNY Well, there’s nothing wrong with being mature. BRIDGET I know she’s mature for her age, but there’s something odd about her... something eerie. JENNY Mom, I’m sure you’re just over-thinking things. BRIDGET (Slightly offended) You’ve barely had a conversation with her though! JENNY Calm down! I didn’t mean to be rude. Maybe you’re right.I haven’t actually spent much time with her. BRIDGET Sorry I snapped. I just don’t want you to look at me as paranoid. JENNY I’m not. Don’t worry about it.
Jenny looks at Bridget cautiously. She eats her last bite. I’m done.
JENNY
BRIDGET Oh here, would you mind taking the plates to the kitchen please? JENNY Sure, I got it. Jenny takes their plates to the kitchen. She sets them down in the sink and stops to hear if Bridget is moving. She peeks out the kitchen door and sees Bridget still sitting at the table. Jenny opens the medicine cupboard. She finds Bridget’s pills and slowly opens the bottle. She peers inside and sees the bottle is mostly full. She puts the pills back and walks out of the kitchen. CHILD’S PLAY
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21. JENNY Do you want some dessert? BRIDGET Oh no thanks hun I’m alright. There is some ice cream in the freezer if you want some. JENNY I’ll pass. I’m heading upstairs.
Jenny runs up the stairs. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - BRIDGET’S ROOM, NIGHT Jenny walks into Bridget’s room and goes straight to her nightstand. She opens the pill bottles and sees that they are mostly full too. Jenny’s face grows pale with worry. BRIDGET Jenny, what are you doing? Jenny turns around and sees Bridget standing in the doorway. JENNY Mom, why haven’t you been taking your pills? BRIDGET I don’t need them. JENNY (Disappointed) You really should be taking these pills. It explains the way you’ve been acting lately. BRIDGET Are you saying I’m imagining things with Rabia because of my anxiety? JENNY No Mom. You need to take these pills to prevent your anxiety from kicking in. You know that! BRIDGET Honey, I’ll be fine. I am fine right now. JENNY Mom, just take them please?
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22. BRIDGET (Snapping) I don’t need them! Jenny... please leave my room now. JENNY Mom you know I’m only doing this because I want to take care of you. BRIDGET I don’t need caring for. Please... just go. Mom-
JENNY
BRIDGET (Yelling) Get out! Jenny is startled when Bridget yells at her. She puts down the bottle of pills and leaves the room. As Jenny walks out of the room, a dark figure is standing at the end of the hallway, listening to the whole conversation. Later that night, Bridget and Jenny are both in their beds. Jenny is fast asleep, but Bridget is tossing and turning in bed, struggling to fall asleep. Suddenly, she hears noises from downstairs. They sound like footsteps. She gets out of bed, her face full of curiosity, and walks out of her room to see what it is. As she makes her way downstairs, she hears the footsteps again. This time they are coming from the living room. BRIDGET Hello? Is anyone there? INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - LIVING ROOM, NIGHT There is silence. Bridget walks into the living room to see a black figure standing by the mantel. BRIDGET Who are you? The figure turns to face Bridget. The room is very dark, and Bridget squints to try and see better. Bridget starts to move towards the light switch but is suddenly thrown down to the floor by a strong force. When she manages to get back on her feet, the figure has left and the front door is open. She rushes out the door to see if she can find the person, but there is no sign of them. Bridget shuts the door and turns to run up the stairs to get Jenny.
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23. BRIDGET Jenny! Jenny! Wake up! JENNY (Half asleep) What is it Mom? BRIDGET Jenny, there was someone in the house! I heard footsteps and I went downstairs and there was someone in our living room! JENNY Mom, are you sure you weren’t dreaming? BRIDGET I’m sure! I went downstairs and there was someone stood in our living room. Follow me!
Jenny follows her mother. Bridget puts the light on in the living room. BRIDGET I was standing right thereShe points to the spot where she was standing. BRIDGET -and the figure was there. She points to the mantel. JENNY Well Mom, there’s nothing here anymore. I’m sure they got scared when you came downstairs. BRIDGET Jenny this person attacked me. From what I saw, they weren’t even that big, but they had incredible force and slammed me down to the ground. JENNY Mom, it’s okay now. I’ll go double check to make sure the front door is locked. Jenny walks out of the living room. Bridget looks at the mantel and walks over to it. Jenny comes back into the living room.
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24. JENNY Okay, the front door is locked. I’m going to go to bed. Jenny...
BRIDGET
Bridget turns to Jenny. Her face has lost all its color. BRIDGET Where has our photograph gone? She points to the mantel. The photo frame with the picture of Jeff, Bridget and Jenny has gone. Jenny looks at Bridget with a confused look. JENNY Did you place it somewhere else? I’m sure it’s no big deal Mom. You probably misplaced it. BRIDGET (Confused) I don’t think I did. Jenny walks up to her mom with a look of sympathy on her face. She gives her a hug. JENNY Good night Mom. Everything’s going to be okay. As Jenny hugs Bridget, her face changes from the calm look she gave Bridget to a look of concern. INT. RABIA’S HOUSE, NIGHT Rabia is sitting on the floor in her empty room, which is lit by two candles. In front of her lies an open box. The box contains pieces of paper, along with photographs and small items. The photographs are of random people, mostly different families and young couples. She is holding something in her hand and staring at it intently. It’s the photograph of Bridget, Jenny, and Jeff, from their mantel. She tears Jeff’s side of the photo out and throws it away. She then places the remainder of the photo in the box. She closes the box and blows out the candles, but remains sitting on the floor in the dark. She eventually gets up and walks out of the room.
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25. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD - BRIDGET’S ROOM, NIGHT Bridget is back in bed and still having a hard time sleeping. She starts to close her eyes, but then she hears something and opens her eyes again. She looks around the room, but she sees nothing. She closes her eyes again and finally falls asleep, until she starts finding it difficult to breathe. She starts to pant and wheeze heavily. As she opens her eyes, she sees a dark figure on top of her. The figure is floating above her. She tries to scream out. BRIDGET JENNY! JENNY! COME TO MY ROOM! HURRY! Jenny eventually comes running in and puts the lights on. Bridget is in bed and Jenny runs to her side. JENNY What happened Mom? Did you have another nightmare? Bridget is breathing heavily. She finally manages to speak. BRIDGET No! This time I swear it was real. I couldn’t breathe. Someone was on top of me, trying to choke me. Bridget is holding on to her neck. When she pulls her hands away, Jenny’s eyes open wide and she puts her hands to her mouth in shock. BRIDGET (Confused) Jenny... what’s wrong? JENNY Mom... your neck. BRIDGET What is it? Bridget jumps out of bed and runs to the mirror. She looks at her reflection and her expression is one of horror. There are scratches on her neck. BRIDGET (Turning to Jenny) Sleep with me tonight? Jenny nods.
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26. INT. THE MASON HOUSEHOLD, DAY Jenny and Bridget are sitting in the kitchen. Bridget’s neck is covered in bandages that cover up the scratches. BRIDGET Jenny, I don’t know what to think about last night. JENNY Mom, I’m sure it was nothing. Sometimes people do stuff in their sleep andBRIDGET (Pointing to her neck) I did not do this to myself! JENNY No, I’m just saying that when you see stuff in your dreams, you don’t realize. There’s been lots of stories where people have scratched themselves because of a certain dream they were having. BRIDGET I don’t know what to do to make you believe me. As Bridget says that, Rabia walks in to the house. Hi! Hey Rabia.
RABIA JENNY
Bridget looks at Rabia cautiously and forces herself to smile. RABIA What happened to your neck? BRIDGET Nothing. Just... hurt myself. Bridget looks at Jenny with dismay. Rabia takes a seat. BRIDGET I’ll be back. Bridget gets up to walk out of the kitchen. Rabia watches Bridget leave. Bridget sneaks out of the house and starts making her way to Rabia’s house.
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(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED:
27. BRIDGET (To herself) I’ll make her believe me.
Bridget makes her way to the front door of Rabia’s house. She knocks and waits for a response but hears nothing. She opens the front door and peeks in to see if she can hear any movement. There is silence. She lets herself in, and closes the door behind her. She turns around to see the house is empty.
What?
BRIDGET (Shocked)
She looks around the rest of the house. There are just a few pieces of furniture that are covered with white sheets. She goes up the stairs and walks down the hallway. She looks in to the room on the right. The room has a few items lying around: candles, a couple of boxes, and a few photographs. She walks into the room and looks at the items. She kneels down on the ground next to one of the boxes and opens it. Oh my god.
BRIDGET
Bridget’s jaw drops in horror as she looks at the pile of photographs in the box. Whilst going through it, she finally comes across the picture that was on her mantel, and notices that Jeff’s side has been torn off. BRIDGET I knew it! I have to show this to Jenny. As she gets up to leave the house, she spots Rabia standing in the doorway. RABIA What are you doing here, Bridget? BRIDGET Stay away from me! I knew there was something wrong with you. RABIA What do you mean, Bridget? BRIDGET This picture. What are you doing with it? RABIA It’s part of my experiment. Bridget looks at Rabia in horror.
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CONTINUED:
28. BRIDGET You’re a sick little girl!
Bridget starts to run out past Rabia, but Rabia grabs on to her shirt and pulls her back. Bridget tries to get away, but Rabia has a firm grip on her. RABIA Not so fast. Rabia’s voice has changed to a dual sounding evil voice. As Rabia says this, her eyes go completely black, and the door slams shut. Bridget is flung across to the other side of the room. Rabia starts walking slowly towards her. BRIDGET What do you want from us? Rabia stays quiet and continues to walk up to Bridget. BRIDGET Please! I beg of you! Leave me alone! RABIA I can’t do that now Bridget. You’ve seen too much. BRIDGET I’ll do anything Rabia! Just tell me what you want. Rabia’s eyes clear up and go back to normal. She stops and looks at Bridget in an innocent manner. RABIA Will you love me? What?
BRIDGET
RABIA I just want to be loved. Will you love me? Bridget stares at Rabia. As she starts to speak, Jenny bursts into the room. Mom!
JENNY
BRIDGET Jenny! Help me! Rabia’s face grows full of anger and goes pale. Her eyes go black and she turns to face Jenny.
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(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED:
29.
You!
RABIA (Dual voice)
Rabia flings her arms out and the door slams shut. Jenny is thrown to the wall and falls down on the ground, unconscious. Rabia grabs a knife and turns to Bridget. RABIA Now what should I do with you? BRIDGET No please don’t! I’ll love you. I promise. RABIA They all say that. They all tell me they’ll love me, but eventually they abandon me. BRIDGET I’m different. I won’t do that. Please Rabia, spare me and my daughter. Rabia continues to walk towards Bridget, the knife in hand. RABIA I don’t think I can do that. As Rabia gets closer to Bridget, Jenny wakes up. She sees how close Rabia is to Bridget and gets up. She runs towards Rabia and grabs her, making her lose her grip on the knife and sending it sliding to the other side of the room. As Jenny keeps Rabia under a firm grip, Bridget gets up and runs to get the knife. Rabia, using her powers, moves the knife towards herself. Jenny, seeing this, grabs the knife as it gets closer to them. She turns and stabs Rabia in the stomach. Rabia stops struggling and looks at Jenny. She then looks down at the knife plunged into her. Jenny gets off of Rabia. RABIA (Panting) I just wanted to be loved. Why would you do this? Jenny and Bridget move closer together. They look at Rabia as she struggles. Rabia’s hands reach out, her face full of anger. The mirrors and windows shatter. Glass flies around the room. Rabia stands on her feet and pulls the knife out. Her wound heals immediately. The glass in the air immediately turns into a tornado surrounding Jenny and Bridget. They are screaming. Rabia’s face turns demonic.
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30. RABIA You wouldn’t drop it would you? If you hadn’t insisted on snooping around, your lives would’ve been spared right now. Rabia, no!
BRIDGET
Suddenly the pieces of glass stop swirling around Bridget and Jenny and float in mid-air. Jenny and Bridget look at Rabia with hopeful faces. RABIA (Smiling) Goodbye. Bridget and Jenny scream. INT. THE HOUSE, 6 MONTHS LATER, DAY A moving truck is parked in the driveway. Boxes are piled up outside the house, along with packed furniture. A lady walks out of the house and attempts to lift a box up. LADY Honey! Where are you? MAN I’m in the house. What do you want? LADY I’m gonna need some help with this box. MAN Just a second! The lady attempts to lift the box again. She stops and takes in a deep breath. She uses a sleeve to wipe the sweat off her forehead. She faces the doorway and looks into the relatively empty house. LADY (Speaking to herself) Where is this man? She turns around and is startled by a girl’s presence. LADY (Laughing nervously) Oh hi! I’m sorry, I didn’t expect any company.
(CONTINUED) CHILD’S PLAY
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CONTINUED:
31. GIRL I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. LADY It’s okay. Hi, I’m Maria.
She puts her hand out to shake the girl’s hand. The girl reciprocates. GIRL Hi. I’m Rabia. Rabia smiles her sinister smile. FADE OUT.
THE END
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