Short screenplay from the Done Deal "Motel Macabre" contest, November 2007 "Cause & Effect" FADE IN: EXT. BUS STOP - NIGHT A bus pulls away. The exhaust fumes clear to reveal KATEE, a waif-like young woman with weary eyes. She wears a plain dress and cheap shoes, and carries a battered leather suitcase. Across the road, the cheapest, crappiest broken-down motel ever built. A neon VACAN_IES sign flickers in the office window, the second C unlit. Katee looks up and down the road, as if considering her other options. She crosses to the motel, lugging the heavy suitcase after her. INT. MOTEL OFFICE - NIGHT The dirty old letch CLERK ogles Katee through grimy spectacles. He likes what he sees. CLERK One night? Katee nods. The Clerk slides a key across the counter. Katee slides a crumpled bill across. He holds it up to the light, then nods OK. CLERK Hot water's extra. Katee ignores him and exits, dragging her suitcase. CLERK Young couple, next door to you, got my best room. You got second best. Need a hand with your case? Katee doesn't answer or look back, the door shuts behind her. CLERK You little whore, bustin' out that tight little dress, tempting a man. He slips his hand down inside his pants and grins as he gives himself pleasure. INT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Katee opens the door, fumbles for a light switch. A bare bulb brightens to reveal a bed with a big dent in the middle, as if an elephant just slept there. Peeling walls. Cockroach paradise. Katee kicks the door closed, dumps her suitcase and flops on the edge of the bed, exhausted. She throws an arm over her eyes. EXT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT The Clerk sneaks up to the window. There's a gap in the curtains that lets him see Katee lying on the bed, apparently asleep. His hand slips down inside his pants again and he grins. INT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Katie moans in her sleep as if she's having bad dreams. EXT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT The Clerk is distracted by noises coming from the room next door -- rhythmic banging, a woman's lustful cries. Someone's doing the dirty and enjoying it. The Clerk sneaks over to that other window and peeks inside. His hand slips down into his pants again and he grins. INT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Katie uncovers her face as the banging and yelping noises reach her. She slowly sits up, swings her legs off the bed, all the while watching the wall that divides the two rooms. Other people might be annoyed at being disturbed. Katee is scared. As if she knows something bad's coming. Katee creeps over and presses her head against the wall. The woman's lustful cries become louder. And now the man cries out too, his voice deeper, matching the banging noises. Katie's concern grows. She squeezes her eyes tight shut. EXT. MOTEL ROOMS - NIGHT The Clerk groans in ecstasy and falls to his knees, his hand still stuck down inside his pants. CLERK Ooh mama, that's good, that's finger- licking good you dirty tramp-- Katee wrenches her door open and looks at him. He falls forward so he's on his hands and knees. CLERK Looking for my keys. Katee stares at the next door along. The Clerk pushes himself up, he quickly wipes his hand on the back of his pants, then brushes dirt off his knees. CLERK I was just wondering, you know, if you're hungry, I can make you a sandwich, or something. No charge. Won't charge you a penny. Got some coffee, too. KATEE You have to call the police. CLERK Now hold on, no need for that, I was just-- KATEE Call the police before it's too late. Please. Katee retreats inside and slams her door shut. The Clerk shakes his head and goes back to his office, mumbling. INT. KATEE'S MOTEL ROOM - NIGHT Katee leans back against the door and takes deep breaths. A high-pitched SCREAM from next door. Katie covers her ears. Another SCREAM, even louder. KATEE Oh God no, not again, please God, not again... Katee slides down the door and keels over onto her side, curling into fetal position. The SCREAMS grow louder, punctuated by THUMPING and CRASHING noises. KATEE Please God... no... The noise abruptly stops... no sound at all from next door. Katee lies there sobbing. EXT. MOTEL ROOMS - NIGHT Strobing red lights illuminate all the doors and windows. A handcuffed WOMAN, sobbing and shaking, her face and coat spattered with blood, is pushed into the back seat of a sedan by a uniformed COP. INT. MOTEL ROOM NEXT DOOR - NIGHT Standing in the doorway, the Clerk speaks with a stone-faced DETECTIVE in slouch hat and trenchcoat. CLERK We had this guy, back in sixty-four, he cut up a couple of hookers, but nothing like this. Gradually the room is revealed... Christ Almighty it's a slaughterhouse, blood spatter and handprints on the walls, the ceiling, the floor. Lying naked and thankfully face-down on the bed, a MAN. Or what's left of him. Blood pools around his crotch. DETECTIVE So what about the other girl, next door? CLERK She took off before you guys got here. The Clerk shakes his head, puzzled. CLERK Something she said, didn't make sense. The Cop comes up behind them. COP Meat wagon's here. DETECTIVE Tell him he's gotta wait for the crime scene guys. They're gonna jerk off when they see this mess. (to Clerk) Didn't make sense, how? CLERK She said people get angry when she's around. The Detective lights a cigarette and gestures at the mess. DETECTIVE Someone got angry, all right. EXT. BUS STOP - DAY A bus pulls in and stops for a moment then pulls away. The exhaust fumes clear to reveal Katee and her suitcase. She's looking more tired than ever. Across the road, another motel, VACANCIES in the window. Katee looks up and down the road, as if pondering her other options. She crosses to the motel, lugging the heavy suitcase after her. Katee doesn't notice, behind her, a severe-looking building surrounded by a high fence with a sign that says: SWEET MEADOWS - ASYLUM FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE. FADE OUT: 10/07§