Watch the video of a scene I directed (for the first time – it’s obvious) from my short story, It Was Always There, here: 

It’s so bad, it’s good!

Starring Matt Riegler as Jake and Mateo Morel as Damien. Shot by Tommy Roach.

Below are two scenes from It Was Always There (including the scene above) in screenplay form.

FADE IN:

INT.  MEG’S HOUSE – DAY  ARRIVAL

MEG and JAKE are on each side of Meg’s window, waiting for DAMIEN to leave the property.

DAMIEN

Meg?

DAMIEN taps the window’s screen twice

DAMIEN

(laughs)

Meg? It’s me. DamYou00.

JAKE

What?

MEG rolls her eyes.

MEG

His stupid screen name.

DAMIEN

Are you ladies in there?

JAKE scrunches up his face.

MEG

He knows I’m not alone, remember? He probably thinks you’re a girl.

JAKE

That piece of shit.

DAMIEN

Hello. I hear you ladies in there. What’re ya doin’?

JAKE

I have an idea.

JAKE walks toward the front door.

MEG

No!

JAKE puts a hand over Meg’s mouth.

JAKE

Quiet!

MEG pulls JAKE’s hand away.

MEG

What are you doing?

JAKE puts a hand on MEG’s shoulder.

JAKE

He obviously knows there are people in here. I’ll go to the door and tell him that’s he’s got the wrong house.

MEG sighs.

MEG

Okay.

Cut to:

INT.  MEG’S HOUSE – DAY  CONFRONTATION

JAKE walks to the door. It squeaks as he opens it.

JAKE

Hello.

DAMIEN scratches his head and looks around.

DAMIEN

Does Meg live here?

JAKE

Who?

DAMIEN

Meg.

JAKE

No. You’ve got the wrong house.

DAMIEN

I was given this address. This exact place. Are you sure?

JAKE

Am I sure? Of course I’m sure.

DAMIEN stares at JAKE and nods. He stretches out his arms and has a look at his surroundings.

DAMIEN

Then why the hell did she give me this address? I don’t get it. I don’t understand. This is the place.

JAKE

Don’t know, man. Wish I could help you, but-

DAMIEN

You must know her. You’re around her age.

JAKE shrugs.

JAKE

No. Don’t know any Megs.

                            DAMIEN

I know I’m at the right house. I heard her ring tone. I know what it is. She’s in there. If she doesn’t want to meet me, I want to hear her say it herself.

DAMIEN spits on the stoop.

MEG is shaking in the hallway.

JAKE

 Meg doesn’t live here, whoever she is. Is this some kind of sick joke?

DAMIEN

I heard her cell phone. Let me see her. We’ve been talking for weeks. She should be able to tell me to my face how she feels.

JAKE

That was my cell phone. Can’t a kid’s mother call him anymore?

DAMIEN’s foot taps. His fists curl.

JAKE

I really have no idea what you’re talking about.

DAMIEN jams a hand into his side pocket and retrieves his cell phone. He pushes buttons as he keeps eye contact with JAKE. His foot taps. Inside, MEG’s hands shake as she holds her silent cell phone. The name “Damien” lights up the screen. DAMIEN stretches himself upwards, trying to get a look inside of the house.

JAKE

Excuse me.

DAMIEN

Look, kid. If you’re going to play these games, things aren’t gonna turn out good.

JAKE

You’ve got the wrong house. Get off my property before I call the police.

DAMIEN

Call the police, yeah? And what’re ya gonna tell them? You’re the one causing the problems.  What are they gonna do?

JAKE

If you stand around, you’ll find out. Plus, my parents should be getting home any minute.

DAMIEN

Nah. Her mother will be home around 6:00. Later tonight for Pops. I’m not worried about your parents. They don’t live here.

JAKE

What? What are you talking about?

DAMIEN

You’re a terrible actor, kid. If you just bring me the girl, or let me come in as things were planned, everything will be fine. I don’t like being played around with. Hear me?

JAKE freezes.

DAMIEN

Meg and I were supposed to meet up today. Don’t know how you got dragged into this, but let us be and go home. Your parents are coming home soon, huh? Don’t want them worrying about you.

MEG is crying and shaking uncontrollably in the hallway.

JAKE

You were given the wrong address.

DAMIEN throws back his head and chuckles silently.

DAMIEN

Open the goddamn door!

DAMIEN yanks on the handle, grunting.

JAKE gasps and slams the inside door shut and locks it. He runs to MEG and grabs her wrist.

JAKE

Come on!

JAKE and MEG run to the back door as DAMIEN shouts and punches the screen door.

                                                                                                                                                                                                      CUT TO: