Page 5

EXT. RILEY’S NEIGHBORHOOD – EARLY MORNING – RAINING

Riley runs along an older, tree-lined street. She stops in front of a gate that leads to her front door. She is about to open the gate, when she stops.  There, sitting on the steps with his head in his hands, is Stryker.

Riley takes in a deep breath and walks through the gate toward her front porch.

EXT. RILEY’S FRONT PORCH – EARLY MORNING – RAINING

Riley stops just shy of the stairs. Stryker is unaware that she is standing there.

RILEY

Hello, Michael.

Stryker looks up and manages a small, yet strained, smile.

STRYKER

Hi, Becca.

Riley steps up onto the front porch.

STRYKER

It’s been awhile.

Riley unlocks the front door and steps inside.

RILEY

It’s been six months, Michael.

STRYKER

I know.

RILEY

Would you like to come in?

Stryker manages the strength to get up. He grabs the briefcase at his feet and follows her inside.

INT. VINCE’S BASEMENT – EARLY MORNING

We are standing in a doorway at the top of a staircase that leads to a basement.

MOVING SHOT – Down the stairs to a dark hall that ends at a closed door.

INT. VINCE’S DARKROOM – EARLY MORNING

Behind the closed door is a room that is so dark that the surroundings are nearly impossible to see. It takes a few seconds for our eyes to adjust to the unusual light. We find ourselves in a darkroom.

The safe light casts an eerie red hue, making everything look red or black. There are dozens of photographs of young women hanging to dry on a clothesline.

We see Vince busy developing photographs. He removes a photo from a tray and hangs it among all the others on the clothesline, right next to a photograph of Riley.

Vince reaches up and longingly touches the photograph. Even in the safe light, we can see that the picture is of the young woman, Ashley Dermont, jogging in the park this morning.

VINCE

(barely audible)

So beautiful.

INT. RILEY’S HOUSE - ENTRYWAY – EARLY MORNING

After closing the door, she disappears around the corner. Stryker follows close behind.

INTERCUT WITH RILEY AND STRYKER IN HER KICTHEN:

Riley places her keys, iPod and headphones in a glass tray on the kitchen counter.

RILEY

I always have a cup of tea after my run. Would you like one?

STRYKER

Sure. Thanks.

She fills a kettle full of water and heats it over the stove. After gathering the tea and cups, Riley leans against a counter near the sink.

There is an awkward silence. Trying to break the tension, Riley is the first to speak.

RILEY

So, Michael. How have you been?

STRYKER

Same as always. Working. And you?

RILEY

Okay. Considering.

Stryker places his briefcase on the counter and sits down on a nearby barstool.

STRYKER

Since when do you run?

RILEY

Since I took a leave of absence. I have a hard time filling my day, so I took up running.

It does not take long for the kettle to WHISTLE. Riley looks relieved that the water is ready.

She pours each of them a cup and hands one to Stryker.

STRYKER

Thanks.

The tension is still visible between the two of them. Riley repeatedly dunks her tea bag in the hot water, while Stryker uncomfortably stirs his tea with a spoon.

Again, Riley breaks the awkward silence.

RILEY

So?

STRYKER

So what?

RILEY

What brings you here?

[ Continue to page 6 ]