YOU HAVE

ellen

I just got exactly the same letters for the second time.

She gives Martin a significant look and shows him her letter-board.  This time, she has proof!

martin

            (sarcastically)

Oh, “three days”.  A new message!

He turns to Paul and Claudia.

martin

Because - you know - Ellen is receiving messages from road signs, radio broadcasters and now from Scrabble game stones.

He turns Ellen’s letter-board around for the others to see.

Martin’s reaction hits Ellen like a fist.  She feels humiliated.  She is at a loss for words.

martin

And the best part is:  She thinks the messages are meant to announce her death.

            (makes a “spooky” noise)

Hooooo...

Claudia looks back and forth between Martin and Ellen.  She realizes how serious the situation is.  As opposed to Paul, who pulls out a news ARTICLE.

Paul

Talk about spooky.  Martin, do you remember that splintered door to the study?  I guess there was more to it than just a lost key.

The headline of the article reads: “Murder in Goldmoor – Many questions remain unanswered”.

ellen

Let me see that!

Ellen takes the article.  The picture underneath shows Karl Lindner in police uniform, 23 years younger.

Before she even has a chance to read the article, Martin grabs the newspaper out of her hands.

He crumples up the paper and angrily turns to Paul.

martin

Just perfect, Paul!  Well done!  Can’t you tell that my wife is upset enough already?  And then you come up with this kind of a story?!

Ellen has regained her composure.  She is still outraged.

ellen

What do you think you’re doing, anyway?  Now give me back that article!

Martin shows no sign of reaction.

martin

Ellen, I just don’t want you to get upset for no reason.

He tries to conciliate by putting his arm on her shoulder.  But Ellen shakes him off.

ellen

            (sarcastic)

How thoughtful of you!

An unpleasant moment of silence.  Ellen looks at Claudia and Paul – she doesn’t want to make a fool of herself.

ellen

Excuse me for a moment.

She storms out of the room.

Paul and Claudia both look a bit sheepish.

Martin holds the article to a candle and burns it in an ashtray.

martin

She shouldn’t be worrying about this stuff.  Lately, she’s been acting strange enough already.

51.       in front of the house – ext. / night

Ellen is standing in front of the house.  Lost in thought, she takes a drag from her cigarette.

Claudia comes out of the house and joins her.

Claudia

What’s this going on between you two?

ellen

Oh, I don’t know.  I was hoping things would get better once we moved.

Claudia

But nothing got any better?

Ellen’s eyes wander over the vast landscape of moors which the darkness of the night has transformed into a surreal shadow painting.

ellen

Lately, Martin hasn’t been his normal self.  The work, the relocation...

Claudia

You have to give him some time, Ellen.  He’s under enormous pressure right now.  He hasn’t written a single decent sentence since the accident.

Ellen takes a last long drag from her cigarette, throws it on the ground and puts it out with her foot.

ellen

Yes, I know.  I try my best.  It’s just that... sometimes I wonder if we made a mistake by moving here.

52.       living room – int. / night

Martin and Paul are still seated opposite each other.  A strange atmosphere.  Paul is trying hard to keep up a conversation.

Paul

So, work is going well, you say?

Martin makes a very calm impression.  In the background, the dog is barking at the cellar door.

martin

            (calmly)

Yes.  Splendid.  I finally found a story that’s both:  thrilling and true to life.

Now, Clara starts to bark at the cellar door.

Paul

I’m glad to hear that.  You know...

Martin has a sudden outburst and yells:

martin

            (to the dog)

NOW SHUT UP, YOU STUPID BITCH !

Paul is all confused now.  He throws a helpless look toward the entrance door.

Paul

You know, I think I have to get up early in the morning.  We ought to get going.

53.       entrance area – int. / night

Clara is still barking at the cellar door.  Then, she starts to claw at the crack below the door, as if she had discovered something behind it.

CUT TO:

54.       in front of the house – ext. / day

The next morning:

The house is enclosed in a light curtain of early morning fog.  Everything seems oddly quiet.  Not a single bird is chirping.

The calm before the storm.

55.       bedroom – int. / day

Ellen wakes up out of her light sleep.  She looks around.  Martin’s side of the bed is empty and unused.  Martin did not spend the night by her side.

CUT TO:

56.       kitchen – int. / day

Ellen enters the kitchen in her bathrobe.  She puts on a pot of coffee.  Martin comes in.

martin

Hi, darling.

Ellen turns around to face him.  She is terror-stricken.

His hands are covered with blood.  He seems to be oblivious to it.  In the best of moods, he walks to the kitchen sink while he continues to speak.

martin

At last, I’m back on top!  Seventy pages in one night!  I’d say that just about breaks the record...

He starts washing his hands with meticulous care.  The red-stained water runs into the drain.

Ellen closes her eyes and fights the panic welling up inside of her.

martin

Ellen?  Is everything alright?

She opens her eyes again.  She takes a second look and sees that what she thought to be blood is only wall paint.  She discovers a bucket with a paintbrush beside the kitchen door.

She tries to conceal her thoughts.

ellen

Oh, sure.  I’m just a little... dizzy.

She hastily grabs the dog’s food dish and fills it. - Simply to be doing something; anything.

ellen

I ought to give Clara something to eat.

Ellen goes outside.