Two couples love the same house, so much that one of them is willing to do the unthinkable in order to keep it. Think you know your spouse? You may know the person...but not the darkness they hide.

SYNOPSIS:

A young married couple go to bed one night in their new home, only to be awoken by two intruders. The husband and wife fight off and kill each intruder, and come forward to the police with the truth. Only one of them doesn't include knowing the intruders who were also the previous occupants of the house and caused their lives to be turned upside down and home to be foreclosed.

"FORECLOSED"

"Foreclosed"

“Foreclosed”

By Mic Van De Voorde

Early morning, what looks to be a young couple leaving on a vacation to somewhere far away. Bags are packed and setting in the backseat of their car. The husband carries his sleeping wife to the car in their garage, placing her into the passenger seat, then gets in the driver’s seat. The husband starts the engine, taking a moment to look at a picture of them both smiling the day they bought the home. Tears form in his eyes as he looks over his "sleeping" wife. He silently cries, touching her face as if to wake her peacefully. Settling back in his seat after a moment he closes his eyes. A tear of "joy" runs down his face, before he takes a deep breath. (Fade to white)

Fast Forward through Montage Shots:

"Home Video" montage of Emma and Aaron moving out of their small apartment. Happily married couple moving to a new home, in a nice neighborhood, living in Iowa City. Celebrating their first home purchase by painting rooms, cleaning each room, rearranging furniture in different rooms, enjoying the bar in the basement family room. Shots of happy couple having a party with friends, enjoying outside work in their backyard. (Shots from montage shots cover couple living in the home 1-3 months.)

"The Break In"

Date: Tuesday, January 7th, 2014

Time: 2:27 am

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave., Iowa City Iowa

Aaron and Emma go to sleep on a random Monday night. Awakening in the darkness, Aaron hears something unfamiliar and close. His dog "Oscar", perks up from under the blankets, growling defensively. Before Aaron can set up the front door explodes open. Emma jumps up, terrified and speechless. Aaron grabs his baseball bat from closet, and heads into the darkness. Emma grabs her cell phone, holding it close she tries to call 911. In her panic her fingers shake and numbers blur without her contacts in.

Aaron greets first intruder with a clean shot to the head. The second intruder grabs Aaron and two begin to wrestle at the top of the stairs. In the heat of battle the two fall down the split level stairs, and continue to wrestle further down the steps into the downstairs family room. The couple's little dog begins barking at the madness around him as he runs back into the bedroom in terror.

The first intruder slowly staggers up, making his way up stairs, holding his head he meets Emma in the hallway. In the darkness, her scream is amplified as she runs back to bedroom. The male intruder follows her back down the hallway. Emma tries to shut door and lock him out, but he reaches door before she can shut it. The flimsy door gives under the pressure.

The male intruder throws his shoulder into the door and rushes in. Emma struggles across the bed, grabbing to find anything to use as a weapon. The TV remote falls into her hands, without hesitation she smashes it over the intruders head as he comes at her. The little dog barks, and bites at the intruder’s feet. Ignoring the dog in the struggle, he continues after her.

Aaron and intruder struggle to gain any advantage over each other, the intruder gets the upper hand, and begins punching Aaron in the mounted position. Aaron tries to block but catches a shot in the dark and gets knocked out momentarily.

Upstairs, the intruder punches wildly, hitting Emma across the bed. He momentarily struggles to maintain balance, his head still rattled from the bat shot. Losing his balance in the darkness, he falls onto a stunned Emma. Realizing something isn't right, he backs off of Emma, jarring her back to a slow conscious. The dog barks madly, and the intruder kicks it away.

The intruder downstairs staggers back, looking around in the darkness. Taking in the pristine home only fuels his anger. He begins smashing anything in reach. He stops the destruction, looking at the bar; he is out of the moment, and seeing a different life. Aaron doesn't notice as he slowly regains conscious. The intruder notices and comes back at him before he can get to his feet.

The intruder grabs Aaron with both hands by the throat, begins to choke him repeating, "This was MY home too....this was MY home..."

Aaron counters without thinking by kneeing the intruder in the groin. The surprise shot throws the intruder off, as Aaron takes control. Aaron gets upper hand and before he knows it, his hands begin choking this stranger. Adrenaline kicks in, and Aaron over powers the intruder, both hands still around the stranger's neck he forces him to the ground. Mounting him for full leverage, he feels the fight in the intruder weaken.

Upstairs, Emma wakes and sees a dark figure looming over her. Scared she crawls across the bed, away from the intruder. The stranger notices and grabs her by the ankle. Her screams of terror echo and bounce off the bedroom walls, as she grasps at anything for leverage. Pulling on the curtain, it comes down without much resistance in the hysteria.

The intruder knows something is seriously wrong, but tries to quiet her screams. Flailing she kicks blindly behind her, on the third kick, she connects with his jaw. The kick frees her as she continues to scramble across the bed. The intruder reacts in pain, letting go of her, he checks his teeth to make everything is still there.

Emma falls off of the bed, landing on top of the curtain, in a panic she looks around the floor. Less than 2 feet from her face she sees Aaron's plate with the remains of a sliced up apple, and a paring knife.

Just as Emma grabs the paring knife, the intruder comes over the bed, grabbing her by the hair. She screams out in terror, as she is pulled up and onto the bed. She drives the knife hard into the intruder's throat as she screams at the feeling of the knife sinking in his soft flesh.

He grabs at her, and her continued stabs at the chest, arms, and face horrifies her as the feeling of the warm blood splatters across her. In the darkness, the amount of blood soaks the white comforter to a deep red, and on her knees she can feel her legs soaking in his blood as it pools around their collective weight.

Downstairs, Aaron is holding the intruder down, choking him with both hands, hysterically hyperventilating, while staring down at the darkened figure underneath. The fight slows from the figure, and Aaron slowly releases. Exhaling deep, he forgets about Emma momentarily looking around in a panic. Then coming to, he remembers hearing her screams during the altercation.

Like a madman, he flies up the steps to the top floor. Stopping at the top of the steps he can hear in the darkness her sobs between deep panic breaths.

Aaron (calling into the darkness)

"Emma!"

He turns on the hall light, and is greeted at the bedroom door, not by his wife, but by a blood covered, horrified, beaten up woman holding a blood stained knife. Her look is that of a caged animal, her hair messed up, her eyes wild, and her body shakes from the adrenaline. Two strangers meet in the hallway of their own home.

The light blinds her, as she holds the knife in a defensive position, her eyes dart around unsure of what she is seeing. She staggers forward, not hearing Aaron calling her name. It echoes through the hall, and in her ears it sounds distorted and unreal.

Aaron

"Emma!...It's ME sweetie...put it down....it's me.....its ok!"

Emma still living in the madness from minutes ago, cannot hear his words.

Emma

"I....I....I...think he's dead!.....I....I...killed him!"

Aaron

"Its ok baby.....just give ME the knife....I think I killed the other one..."

Downstairs, the intruder starts to move, slowly waking up; he can hear the panicked conversation upstairs.

Emma

"What do you mean the other one!?"

Aaron

"Emma sweetie..Put down the knife...we are safe now."

Emma

"There...there were two?!"

Aaron

"Yes...its ok now...we're safe...I promise you."

Emma

"How do you KNOW we're safe?!....What if...What if..."

Aaron

"Shhhh...It’s ok...I PROMISE you...we're safe now..."

Aaron moves slowly towards Emma, his hand slowly raises to attempt to take the knife from Emma.

Aaron

"We're ok....we're ok.."

Emma looks around in shock, as Aaron slowly moves close to her. Seeing no one else around, she drops the knife to the floor before Aaron touches it. It plops to the floor, spraying droplets of blood onto the white wall, and tan carpet.

Aaron grabs her and pulls her close. Emma has no strength to fight it, her panic breaths slowly calm as she twitches staring past Aaron, making sure no one comes from behind him.

Aaron

"We're ok.....We're ok...."

Silently downstairs, the intruder sets up, trying to remember where he's at. Unfamiliar is the furniture, but the room seems like home. He looks around in the darkness; the light from the upstairs hallway shines down, making the room visible in parts. Shaking his head, he crawls to his hands and knees. Looking around he tries to remember where he is. His eyes fall upon his cell phone and pocket knife, both had fallen out during the altercation.

Emma (Believes to hear something from downstairs.)

"We're NOT alright!....I HEARD something!....Listen to me!...."

Aaron (Trying to erase her panic.)

"It was nothing.....it was just your nerves...I swear...whoever that is down there is NOT alive anymore...."

Emma (Not wanting to believe.)

"Prove it!...Go down there...go down there and make sure!"

Aaron

"Ok....ok...I will....I'll make sure....it's ok..."

Aaron slowly leaves her grasp, as Emma holds on, not wanting him to leave her touch. Aaron, never taking his eyes away from her backs away from her down the hall.

Aaron

"I'll turn on all the lights....you can come as close as you want..."

Aaron turns on the entry way lights, motioning for Emma to follow. Emma takes one step, but stops seeing the stairs and entry way.

Emma

"Close...That's close enough..."

Aaron makes his way down the first level of steps, seeing the baseball bat perched on the landing, he moves to grab it. Emma is startled by the sound of the aluminum bat hitting the steps, and Aaron moves to reassure her before moving on.

Aaron

"It's ok...it's just me....I grabbed the bat....we're ok..."

Emma moves slowly back towards the stairs, not wanting to see anything; she grabs the rail for support.

Aaron looks back to the downstairs doorway to the family room. No noise, not a sound. His senses are raw, untamed by his animalistic urge of battle. He reassures himself he MUST protect her. There are no other options.

Taking his first step, the floor creaks; echoing in the confined space. In the blink of an eye, the intruder stands before him at the bottom of the steps. An unknown African American male stands hunched, his jacket covering most of his body, appearing larger. His eyes wild. His right arm in clear view, cuffed into a fist. His left, hidden from sight behind the doorway.

Intruder

"What the fuck are you doing in MY HOUSE?!....I've called the police you mother fucker!"

Not even finishing his sentence, the intruder lunges towards Aaron. Aaron catches a glimpse of his left hand, holding something dark in his fist. Emma panics backwards up the steps, her eyes never off of Aaron.

Without hesitation Aaron steps back onto the landing, and cocks back with the bat. Connecting directly into the left side of intruders face.

The sickening thud of aluminum and skull resonates even more in the open entry way. Aaron can FEEL this man's skull crushing into tiny pieces in just a flash.

Intruder

"Uuuuugggghhhh!"

The intruder falls awkwardly back down the five steps, almost in slow motion; he crumbles into a ball at the basement landing. Aaron KNOWS before he hits, this man is dead.

Aaron is frozen in place. Watching the intruder. His eyes not moving away. Making SURE the villain is dead THIS TIME. Holding the bat, he can't stop staring down at the intruder.

His coat, long and dirty green, staining now in blood. His head, held together by a stalking cap, the white wall behind splattered with blood from the impact. Both hands are empty.

Emma

"Aaron?....Aaron?....Is he.....is he....dead?"

Aaron doesn't respond right away. Still looking over the still body.

Emma

"Aaron?....What are we going TO DO?!....What do we do?... "

In Aaron's world, her words bounce silently off the walls. His eyes never shifting focus from the dead stranger five feet from him. Dropping the bat, it clangs down the steps, landing next to the dead man.

The intruder's blood slowly pools from underneath, across the lament flooring stopping underneath the bat.

Emma

"Aaron?...What are we going to do?!....Oh my god...we're murderers!..Aaron!?"

Aaron still looking down hears something different. Slowly holding up his hand, motioning to wait, he pauses. Waiting between her sentences, coming out of the darkness he notices it again. Almost too far away to hear clearly, he waits for it again. From somewhere in the darkness Aaron hears:

"Sir?....Sir are you still there?....Sir, hold on police are on their way..."

Aaron looks back up to Emma, shaking his head words cannot form.

Emma (whispering)

"Is that the police??"

Aaron moves fast down the steps. His steps thunder in the entry way.

The phone asks, "Sir..Are you there?"

Aaron finds the phone, its light giving away its location. Wanting to hang it up, he hesitates.

Emma (to herself)

"Hang it up Aaron...hang it up."

Without thinking he hears himself saying; "My name is Aaron Worrell. I live at 1808 Gleason Avenue. Whoever's phone this is, broke into our home. They're...both dead. Send someone right away."

The phone pleads for him to stay on the line, but Aaron ends the call. In that moment the world stops. Aaron hears the words; "they're both dead" echo in his mind.

Slowly his hearing and mind come back to him with the wailing of some far off police sirens coming closer. Looking around, he is surrounded and standing in the blood, holding the dead man's cell phone.

From the downstairs landing a blue and red light flood inside the home. Then a white light hits his face, blinding him before he can move.

From outside a voice calls out, "Everyone inside come out with your hands up!"

Emma gasps out loud, not wanting to accept this horrible new reality. Aaron drops the phone; it breaks from the impact of the ground. Stumbling forward, he trips over the intruder's leg, but doesn't acknowledge it as he moves up the stairs.

Emma clings to the banister, staring like a deer in the headlights into the white light. Her face is void of color, tears openly run down her face. Aaron holds both hands up, trying to shield his eyes while walking up the steps.

Aaron

"Its ok baby...everything will be alright...we did what we HAD to do....trust me...we will be ok..."

Both meet at the landing t the same time. Emma holds up her hands reluctantly. Aaron takes her left hand in his right, shielding their faces, they both step forward into the blinding white light.

Date: Friday, June 1st, 2012 (19 months before)

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave., Iowa City Iowa

Time: 1:00 pm

James, a gay African American male is seen carrying 2 large boxes from the car in the driveway, up the front steps. Noticing he is being filmed, he smiles at the camera.

James

"Are you going to help me, or just film me for your perverted pleasures?"

Julian (Answering off camera)

"It's not every day a happily married gay couple in Iowa can celebrate buying their first home. Now smile and say something pretty."

James laughs as he lugs the boxes up the steps.

James

"So that's a "no" to helping me?"

Julian

"Oh simmer down pot roast. I'll be right there in a second....Oh look sweetie, one of our new neighbors!"

The camera pans to see a neighbor two houses down, standing and watching the couple as James unloads their car.

Julian (behind the camera, to the neighbor)

"Hello!...We're you're new neighbors!"

The neighbor doesn't wait for any more conversation before heading back inside his home. You can see the discomfort of having gay neighbors.

James is filmed noticing the reaction from the stranger.

James

"Nice. And Tyler said it was a "friendly" neighborhood. Put that down, and help me get everything inside before it rains. Grab my laptop first."

Julian (Behind the camera)

"We CAN'T have Mother Nature destroying you're beautiful script now can we?"

James smiles to Julian off camera.

James

"No we cannot. Come here you."

Julian positions the camera on them as they openly embrace, kissing each other on the front step.

James

"I love you so much. Thank you for....everything. We wouldn't be here, if you weren't so determined to beat that bitch."

Julian (smiling openly)

"She just had to learn that the world does not revolve around young, bitchy, entitled white women....I would do ANYTHING for you, booh. You deserve this. WE deserve this...."

The camera films the happy couple kissing again.

James

"Alright. Get back to work, you. Tyler also said the neighborhood was "safe". I don't want to be the first gay couple on the block that has their shit stolen before they can even move in."

The camera pans away from James and focuses on the ground before going black.

(Flash forward)

Date: January 7th, 2014 (Morning after break in)

Time: 7:23 am

Location: Iowa City, Iowa

Aaron and Emma set in two separate interrogation rooms, both being filmed secretly behind two-way mirrors. Emma's face stained pale and drained from exhaustion. Aaron looks far off into the blank wall, not moving he occasionally blinks with a second's worth of life.

Emma occasionally twitches with fear of a horrible future, swallowing hard she looks nervously up to the two officers entering her investigation room. One male, late 40's, mustache covers his upper lip. Slightly overweight, he holds the door open for the female officer. Late 30's, her brown hair pulled back tight. Both their faces covered in concern for Emma and Aaron, almost an understanding for her need for reassurance.

Aaron barely even looks up as one male officer enters his room. Setting back in his seat, only his eyes meet with the late 30's Caucasian officer. Clean cut, direct, he sets in front of Aaron immediately, and starts the conversation without waiting.

Officer

"Good morning Mr. Worrell. I'm sorry to meet you in this manner. I'm sorry...for what you had to...go through this morning..."

Aaron looks at the officer without expression; this officer's words mean nothing to him.

Officer

"...I know this is hard...but can I get you to tell me your side of the story...one more time?"

Aaron looks at the officer without responding, almost annoyed at hearing this request one more time.

Aaron (sighing to himself)

"You have our stories. We have both repeated it...multiple times. Why the need to separate us to get THE SAME story?"

Officer (Keeping his calm stare into Aaron's eyes)

"Because we want to make sure you BOTH keep the same versions...even apart...Now, start from the beginning..."

-CUT TO EMMA INTERROGATION ROOM-

Female Officer

"Mrs. Worrell...can I call you Emma?....My name is officer Lucy Horowitz...can you just start from the beginning?"

Emma (Trying hard not to scream at the top of her lungs)

"I've told you....Aaron has told you...WHY would WE WANT to kill two complete strangers?!?...IN our brand new home!?!"

Emma looks around for some sort of sympathy from her reality.

Emma

"Fine. I awoke when our dog "Oscar" began growling. Aaron had just woke up..."

-CUT TO AARON-

Aaron

"....The door smashes open. Yeah, I HAD the bat...for protection. I mean...I don't own any guns....It was in the closet. I saw two men coming into my home...the first one...walks right into...into me cracking him in the head...."

-CUT TO EMMA-

Emma

"...Aaron hits the first one...and the second one came after me...I ran back to our room..where my cell was....I TRIED to call 9-1-1...I...I don't know...he was IN our room before I knew it...I must have dropped it..."

-CUT TO AARON-

Aaron

"We fight...down the stairs...son of a bitch got the upper hand....As you can SEE.."

Aaron hand jesters towards his face in a passive aggressive manner.

Aaron

"...I hear him say, "This is MY house" or some shit...he starts destroying OUR stuff...then he comes at me again...he puts his hands around my neck...I knee him in the balls..."

-CUT TO EMMA-

Emma

"He HIT me....I...I...black out...I guess....I don't know....I...I just fought AWAY from him....I'm on the floor...and I see Aaron's apple plate....He eats apples every night....He leaves the knife...thank GOD he did. I...I thought I was going to get raped...or...worse...He grabs my ankle and I...I just grabbed the knife..."

-CUT TO AARON-

Aaron (Staring into the officer without fear, he speaks slowly)

"I put my hands around his throat...I choked him unconscious...I THOUGHT I killed him there....AFTER he was out I went back upstairs...to check on Em'. She came out of the room...covered in blood...She was in shock..."

-CUT TO EMMA-

Emma

"..I...I stabbed him...over and over. I FELT his blood hit me. I just kept...stabbing him...until he didn't get up. THEN I knew....I knew I had just murdered someone...ahh...I'm in the hallway...and Aaron is there...He's telling me everything is alright...everything is alright...but I KNEW it wasn't...the second he tells me there was "another"...I guess...I guess...I don't know...I CAN'T remember from there..."

-CUT TO AARON-

Aaron

"...She wants me to check...I thought he's dead anyway....I mean I've NEVER killed anyone before....I'm not a violent man...I don't watch violent movies...or play violent video games...Before I can get downstairs...he's there. And we're eye to eye..."

Officer

"You have the bat again at this time? I thought you said you THOUGHT he was dead..."

Aaron

"Yeah...I THOUGHT he was dead. I picked up the bat because I didn't KNOW who...or what else was coming at us. Imagine YOURSELF waking up in the middle of the night...two male intruders in YOU'RE home...oh and you DON'T HAVE a gun!....You tell me "Officer Above the Law"...how YOU would handle THAT situation!"

-CUT TO EMMA-

Emma

"I saw him down there. I saw everything but his hand...(Emma clarifies before the officers have to ask)...His LEFT hand...I couldn't tell...Then he just said something CRAZY...and he lunged at Aaron...Aaron...he did what he HAD to do...that man was coming at him....Aaron couldn't see if he had a weapon or not...it was blocked..and and Aaron just HIT him...I KNEW when I heard...his skull break...that he was dead..."

-CUT TO AARON-

Aaron

"...After that...I knew....I mean I don't remember what Emma said...but I knew...I didn't HAVE to check...(Aaron looks directly at the officer)...I knew.

Officer

"You said THEN you found out the "weapon" he was holding was his cell phone?"

Aaron

"Yeah....in the madness...I..I heard a voice...the cell...I went down...next to him and grabbed it out of our laundry room. I told the operator who I was...where I was..and that I killed whoever's phone that was..."

Voice of an Officer

"And then?"

Emma

"We walked..."

Aaron

"...into the light."

Aaron and Emma both leave the interrogation rooms at the same time. Two officers watch them leave, without speaking, they silently watch. Emma and Aaron eyes meet, and hope washes over their faces. They meet and embrace as if both weren't sure they would ever get to do so again.

Without words, they both leave together. Aaron leads, holding Emma's hand as he walks. The bright light of outside temporarily blinds the couple as they come outside. Walking they notice at the same time; news vans, and a handful of reporters waiting for them.

Aaron (Turning them both away from the reporters)

"Shit. Come on...this way. I'll get the cab...you find us a room."

Emma starts searching on her phone, as Aaron looks for a taxi within sight. Missing a taxi driver’s eye, Aaron is noticed by one of the reporters.

Emma

"Where would you want to stay?"

Aaron (Noticing another taxi)

"Wherever babe. We will need to stay somewhere close to a store. We won't be allowed back into the house till they're done...investigating. We'll need to get supplies and clothes for a couple of days."

Aaron waives at another taxi, this one notices him and heads his way. As the taxi pulls close, the reporters come running up to them. The taxi pulls up, as the reporters are just an earshot away. Aaron opens the back passenger door, ushering Emma into the car before jumping in. The reporter’s questions bounce off the outside of the car as it speeds off. Emma wants to look back, but Aaron stops her.

Taxi driver

"You two seem to be very popular..."

Aaron and Emma say nothing as both look away in different directions.

Taxi driver

"....THAT popular....I see...Well...where are we headed?"

-CUT TO AARON AND EMMA IN HOTEL ROOM-

The couple enter their new home for the next couple of days, and they both look around, slightly disappointed by the lack of its hospitality. A typical, sleazy hotel room. It reeks of stale cleaners, cigarettes and sex. Aaron heads inside the bathroom, shutting the door he calls out;

Aaron

"Call your parents. After I'm done in here I'm going to the store. You should try and get some sleep."

Emma (To herself)

"I don't think I'm going to sleep again for years.

Aaron (Inside the bathroom)

"Try."

Emma doesn't respond, but looks out the window at nothing in particular. Aaron washes his hands, and takes a deep breath, looking at himself in the mirror. His eyes do not recognize the stranger looking back at him. A small stain of blood is visible n his neck. Aaron washes it away without hesitation.

Aaron (Inside the bathroom)

"Em' sweetie, can you make a list of what we might need from the store?"

Not responding, Emma grabs a pen and paper from the desk and begins thinking of what they'll need.

Emma

"Do you want me to call you're folks?"

Aaron continues staring into the mirror. His face, awash in the darkness he's lived. Pale and sleep deprived he doesn't recognize himself in the mirror. Aaron hears the question, but holds off on a response. Emma lies down on the bed; sideways she faces the front door and bathroom. The pen and paper close, but without any sort of list. Her eyes go heavy, and she falls into a deep sleep before Aaron comes out of the bathroom.

Aaron finally has enough of staring into the monster in front of him, and comes out of the bathroom quietly. Seeing Emma asleep, he untucks the blanket, and covers her up before heading out. Aaron quietly closes the door, making sure not to wake Emma.

Inside the room, the door closes and Emma doesn't move. A single tear runs down her sleeping face.

Date: Tuesday, August 7th, 2012 (17 months before)

Time: 7:30 pm

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave., Iowa City Iowa

Inside the home, James sets at his desk, staring over his script, looking closely for any mistakes. Julian comes in, not noticed by James.

Julian

"Is it perfect yet?"

James (Laughing to himself)

"It's never "perfect". But so far, I'm happy with it."

Julian

"We'll, if you're happy with it why not search online to see if you can find someone to finance it? I'm SURE there are people online that do that sort of stuff."

James

"I'm not sure if it works that way, honey. I haven't produced anything yet. No one would just GIVE some complete stranger 20-40,000$ to make a film. Especially not here in Iowa."

Julian (Starts to massage James from behind, while looking over the script)

"Never know till you try. Also, you misspelled the right "threw" up here. (Julian points to a grammatical error.). Go to "kick-starter". I'm SURE someone there will SEE the potential. You just have to BELIEVE in yourself."

James (Sighing at the reassurance he's heard 1000 times before)

"I have my profile up on "stage-32" and "Amazon studios". I'm sure IF there WAS someone out there, they would SEE my potential already."

Julian (Stopping the massage)

"You stop that pessimistic attitude right there, young man. Start BELIEVING in yourself. Start believing in your abilities...and you're projects. Put it up on your profile that you are seeking financing for this. People who check you out will then know where you stand on the film...how CLOSE you are...and what you need to make it a reality."

James

"You know I love you right?..."

Julian

"Next words better be..."You are right" that come out of that "talk back mouth" of yours."

James holds off on responding. Looking to Julian with a heartfelt smile. Almost a tear in his eye.

Julian heads out of the room, not waiting on a response. James watches him leave, as their cat "Mr. Bonkers" comes in. The cat jumps up on the desk, and immediately wants attention. James babies their orange cat, talking sweet to him as if he is just a baby. Mr. Bonkers jumps down, attacking James's foot playfully then heading over to his line of shoes. Mr. Bonkers scratches at a random pair of shoes with his declawed paws. Then looks back to James. James just smiles down to him, petting his head before Mr. Bonkers curls up in a laundry basket and begins to purr.

James focuses back to his laptop, and begins updating his profile on "stage-32's" website.

James (Calling out of the room to Julian)

"You KNOW my profile has been up for over a year now...I'm not sure anyone is going to care...or try to help me..."

Julian (From the kitchen, singing out)

"Won't know till you TRY!"

James looks over the profile one more time, before finally agreeing with himself to "save profile". He reads, and re-reads his profile, looking for the tiniest mistake. Closing the page, he shuts the computer down, and watches till the screen goes blank.

James (To himself)

"I guess this is me trying."

Date: 2012

Time: 11:30 pm

Location: Iowa City Iowa

Only a laptops screen illuminates a darkened kitchen from the countertop. On the screen a profile setup page for Facebook. Pictures of a typical African American male are busy being uploaded onto its profile.

His details; faithful Christian, Army officer, graduate from a Big Ten school. Working the religion in it conveys someone of faith and dignity. The military gives him integrity, and honor. The education speaks of his knowledge and commitment to better himself. All of these small pieces to the "Charles Anthony" puzzle adds so much without having to say it at all.

These key pieces to "his" story builds him out of thin air. Almost making him real enough to be believed without question.

A figure comes back to the laptop, the room too dark to tell if its man or woman, stands in front of it and waits for the pictures to upload. The laptop chimes to life when complete, and the figure holds its breath for any sound to come from the bedroom.

In the next room over, another figure sleeps, but stirs at the sound from the other room. The figure in front of the laptop turns and waits for no signs of life to come from the bed before it resumes its work.

Only a set of hands are seen as they type, cut and paste the profiles details. The hands type slow, and quietly to make less noise on the keyboard. The right click on the laptop is the loudest most annoying noise to the figure, as it hurries to finish its goal for the evening.

Finishing uploading the fictitious "Charles Anthony's" profile, the figure deletes the background story written up on Microsoft word. All windows get closed, and the laptop is shut off. The figure closes it, and quietly puts the laptop underneath the kitchen sink covered by old towels.

The figure leaves the kitchen and heads into the bedroom. Pulling the blankets up, it gets back into bed.

In the still darkness, Aaron's voice is heard.

Aaron

"You know that I love you...and only you...right?"

Emma (Waiting a moment)

"I know.."

Date: Friday, January 10th, 2014

Time: 11:00 am

Location: Hampton Inn, Iowa City Iowa

Outside their hotel room, the all so familiar sound of "House-keeping!" echoes down the hallway. Inside Emma finishes packing her new belongings in plastic sacks. Aaron waits for Emma to turn around before putting her coat on her. She is caught off guard by this show of love, but meets his eyes with a loving smile. She forces a kiss on him, and he hesitates to kiss back.

Emma

"Come back to me."

Aaron hears her words and snaps out of the daze he was in. Looking at her again, this time "with her" in the moment.

Emma (genuinely)

"We're going home."

Aaron (Keeping eye contact)

"I know. That's where I just was."

Emma

"Is that not a happy place?"

Aaron (soliumely)

"I don't know if it is anymore."

Emma

"Hey. Come here. (Pulling Aaron close) YOU did what you HAD TO DO...WE did what we HAD to do! Do NOT feel guilty for that!"

-OUTSIDE THE ROOM-

"House keeping!"

Emma acknowledges it, looking to Aaron.

Emma

"Are you ready?

Aaron (hesitating)

"I can't believe you ARE."

Emma

"It's OUR home. Nothing will ever change that. You KNOW how LONG I have loved that house. We CAN'T let ONE NIGHT....one HORRIBLE night ruin our home...our dreams baby."

Before Aaron can respond, Emma plants a deep passionate kiss on him. This time, he kisses back, needing her affection and support.

Emma

"...ONE night....that will NEVER happen again."

Aaron smiles reluctantly. This time, Emma leads him by the hand and out the door. Inside the hotel room, the door closes. All is silent, until a knock and a "House keeping!"

-CUT TO EMMA AND AARON DRIVING HOME-

Aaron drives their Toyota Camry south on Sycamore road; he turns left on Gleason Ave. Not a word is spoken the trip home. They both set in anxious anticipation. Emma holds Aaron's right hand, both looking ahead at their home, as it sets quietly in their peaceful neighborhood. No cops. No police tape. It sets eerily along their street, hiding their secret from the world.

Parking in the driveway, Aaron shuts off the car, but hesitates before getting out. Emma notices, after grabbing their stuff. Aaron doesn't look over to her, as he watches the house with trepidation.

Emma doesn't say a word, but squeezes his hand. Aaron looks down at the hand then up to Emma. With just a look, Aaron can see she is only as strong as he allows himself to be.

Mustering up the courage, Aaron takes the keys and opens the driver's door. Stepping out, the neighborhood is silent; the sun begins to shine in the cold Iowa air. Emma gets out; looking at Aaron she musters a smile.

Aaron turns and sees neighbors slowly coming out of their homes, all looking directly at them. Both Emma and Aaron take it all in, as more and more silent neighbors creep out of their homes. Without saying a word, they both head towards the front door.

Aaron doesn't want to, but he turns around to see even more neighbors all looking at them front their front steps, and garages. Emma walks up the steps, as Aaron follows. Aaron wants to scream at them, but restrains himself, until he reaches the top step and sees their front door.

Still visibly damaged from the break in, but intact. He notices the split in the wood. The cracked screen door. The tape covering where glass should be. All flood his eyes and his instant reaction is turn and scream at anyone and everyone still watching;

Aaron

"DON'T YOU ALL HAVE SOMETHING BETTER YOU COULD BE DOING?!?"

Each neighbor his anger flashes upon seems jolted, unsure of what they were just doing. One by one, they silently fall out of sight, back into their caves.

Aaron turns and sees Emma looking at him in horror. Pulling him in, she admonishes him shutting the door.

Emma

"Are you crazy?! Do you WANT our neighbors to THINK you're a psycho!?"

Aaron

"Did you SEE how many people came out?! It's like NO ONE on the block worked today!"

Emma

"I don't care! FORGET them! YOU are home. TRY and enjoy it. Baby, I know, I know it's hard...but just relax and TRY to get some sleep...I know you haven't slept well in days...PLEASE try and take a nap...you're a grouchy bear."

Emma holds Aaron, giving him an extra squeeze with her hug. Emma goes up the entryway stairs, disappearing into the kitchen.

Aaron watches her go, as soon as she's out of sight; his eyes slowly fall upon the basement landing.

Emma (From the kitchen)

"Clean as a whistle! Cleaner than WE ever had it!"

Aaron quits listening. Seeing only the man he killed lying underneath him. The spots where his blood splattered still visible to only Aaron. His blood still pooling at the base of the steps. The mirage stares back at him in silence. The ghost of this man doesn't move, his left hand sets empty. Aaron wishes a knife in his hand, but never "sees" it as he makes his way down the steps, walking into their basement family room; Aaron steps over the ghost as if he's still there.

Standing in the open room, it feels unfamiliar even though nothing has changed. Aaron looks over what has been destroyed without a word.

Emma (From the kitchen)

"When did the insurance people say they were coming?"

Aaron (To himself)

"Monday."

Emma looks over the living room; her eyes reluctantly fall towards their bedroom. It's door missing completely. Brown specs faintly dot the carpet. Blood. The cleaning crews were unable to get them completely out, Emma sighs to herself. Not wanting to go further down the hall.

Emma takes a deep breath, forcing herself to walk down the hallway. Each step the house creaks with her presence, giving away her location. Focusing only on her bedroom, she inches closer and closer, until she can see her bed. Stripped bare of sheets and blankets, a deep brown stain covers most of the king size bed. Faint brown stains everything. The carpet. The walls. The ceiling fan. Even the white popcorn ceiling.

Emma stands at the doorway, not wanting to take a step in. Looking over everything in the room, she is off in a quiet world, hearing her struggle and fight against some unknown intruder.

Aaron comes up behind Emma, startling her. Eyeing the room without walking in.

Aaron

"Won't be sleeping here tonight....or ever again. Think the three of us can stomach the "queen"?" (Aaron nods towards the guest’s room bed)

Emma (Doesn't look away from the king size bed in their bedroom)

"Going to have to. Did you call your dad? What time are they dropping off "Oscar"?"

Aaron

"Not till after they get off from work. We HAVE a couple of hours in the house with no "little baby boy" constantly setting in your lap...How's about you let ME get some of that much NEEDED space!"

Emma smiles back at Aaron as he begins to bite his lip in a semi sexy manner. Emma gives in, smiling she kisses him, pushing him back into the guest room. Becoming more and more heated, she pushes him onto the bed. A small cloud of dust pops up off of the blankets, momentarily stopping them in their fit of passion.

They both laugh then resume making out on the bed. Emma's eye open up, looking to where the pillows should be, but they appear to be missing. Aaron doesn't notice and tries to continue to make love to his wife, as Emma cannot stop thinking about the need to make THIS room their new bedroom. All the things they need, the pillows, clean washed sheets and blankets, the alarm, her clothes.

The artifacts run through her mind of what they will need from the old room, until in her mind, she sees the intruder. Kneeling on their master bed, covered in blood. Silently staring a hole into her.

Emma stops Aaron before he can take off his shirt.

Emma (Pushing away from Aaron)

"Aaron...I can't...I can't stop thinking about all the stuff we need..I need to go to the store..."

Aaron looks at Emma like she just ruined his afternoon.

Emma

"...You KNOW I'm not comfortable without pillows...Besides...while I'm out shopping...spending YOUR money, you should pick out something naughty for me to wear when I get back!"

Emma looks him in the eye, and sees Aaron's genuine smile return.

Emma

"That's my boy."

Aaron

"Don't be gone THAT long!....PILLOWS...THAT'S it!....We don't NEED anything else really...Don't be spending OUR money on any expensive pillows. We don't need to be wasting money on..."

Emma (Finishing his sentence)

"On our sleep!...YES we DO!...Our sleep is the ONE TIME that we won't be bothered by this...(Emma looks around)...weird feeling we BOTH have now. This is OUR home. We need to feel safe and secure again. Getting proper amounts of sleep will help us recover better...and faster. You know..."

Aaron (Finishing her sentence)

"I KNOW what the counselor said....Whatever I guess...."

Aaron's hostility creates an invisible gap between he and Emma. In a second he knows he's losing her in the petty argument.

Aaron

"...I mean...get whatever you need....(Aaron meets her eyes, and flashes a genuine smile)...I MEAN it....Get anything and everything you need....Take your time even. I'll be here. Probably asleep, but I'll be here..."

Emma (Smiling from Aaron's playful banter)

"You better NOT! IF I come home and you're asleep I'm NOT waking you wearing some naughty outfit!"

Aaron laughs at her protest, not believing her. Emma gets up to leave the room. Her eyes fixated on their old bedroom. Not wanting the silence between them to somehow will the memory of the intruder back into her mind, she tries continuing the conversation.

Emma

"You have to pick it out. I don't want to have to go in there to get anything for you, young man...."

Her face drains in color, as she sees the intruder still kneeling on her bed, covered in blood. His eyes wide as he continues to stare at her. This time in his chest he holds the knife. All over him, stab wounds drain deep colored red. His mouth slowly opens, as if he is attempting to speak when Aaron walks in front of her. Into their old bedroom with no fear, he begins riffling through her lingerie drawer.

Emma is broken free from the ghost on her bed, as she watches Aaron get great pleasure out of picking out her attire.

Emma (Smiling confidently)

"We'll you look to be entertained....I'll be back in an hour."

Aaron stops what he's doing, getting up he walks over to her and plants a deeply passionate kiss on Emma. Wanting her to FEEL how much appreciation and dedication he feels for her with just his lips.

Emma notices this kiss is different than many of their previous "mailed in" performances. This one, he WANTED her to feel it. Wanted her to now, just how much he needs her.

Their eyes meet, as he pulls their foreheads together.

Aaron

"You ARE the greatest thing that ever has happened to me.....(Aaron's face changes from serious to playful)...and I MAY have the camera set up when you get back!" (Aaron rushes the last part out, while waiting for Emma to react with amused disgust.)

Emma just smiles coyly at him, raising her eye brows, without embarrassment. Aaron's playful smile turns to shocked bewilderment as he watches Emma walk down the hall and out of sight.

Emma (From downstairs)

"Maybe you should call you're folks...and have them drop off "Oscar" tomorrow night then!"

Aaron's face is blank. Shocked by the sudden over-affection from Emma, he stands in silence.

The front door swings open, then closes, and Emma is gone.

Aaron (To himself)

"I can definitely do that."

Date: Friday, September 14th, 2012

Time: 5:37 pm

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave., Iowa City

James sets at his desk in the spare bedroom that doubles for his office. His eyes wide as he reads and re-reads the email that could be thee email that changes his life forever.

"Dear Mr. Thompson,

I came across you're profile for the film concept, "Pistol Lullaby" and would like to extend my services in financing the film project. I absolutely love the concept, and I think this could easily be turned into a series. My name is Charles Anthony, and I have recently come into a large amount of money. I believe in financing projects that have a certain amount of potential. Your project fits that criteria...."

James's eyes slightly water as he can hardly believe it until he hears Julian coming home. The news, the great news is everything Julian ever believed would happen. James sets back in his seat, hardly containing himself as he continues to read;

"...furthermore I would like you to find a director who can film and budget for the amount no greater than $50,000. I believe you’re project can be filmed for less than that, and I would like to remain a silent partner in this project...."

"...I recently received a substantial settlement from the university when they botched my cancer surgery and just have set up a Facebook account for the first time, you can keep up with me in a more frequent manner...I'm enjoying the fruits of my investments right now and won't be back in town for another couple of weeks. I'm sure you will have a director lined up by the time I return...."

James feels a tear run down his face as he thinks immediately of who he wants to direct his film. Goosebumps cover his arms reading the words;

"...Get ready brother, you're life is about to change....Best regards, Charles Anthony."

Just then the front door opens, and Julian is heard singing a Lady Gaga song. Once the front door closes, he launches into full commitment to the song. James can't contain his excitement, meeting a very surprised Julian in the hallway, stopping him in mid sentence.

Julian

"Poke-poke-poke-poker FACE! Aaaahhh!!! Je-sus James! Give a girl a heart attack why don't you?!"

James (Unable to contain his smile)

"You'll never believe it! I got an email! You were RIGHT!..."

James plants a kiss on Julian before he can even respond.

James

"...Come on, I want to show you!"

Julian completely taken back by the great news stutters not knowing what to say or do. James cannot wait, not waiting; he marches down the hall into his office, pulling Julian behind him.

Julian

"Oooooo-kay....James baby....I'm always right...Remind me again WHAT exactly I'm right about THIS time?"

James is already setting in his chair at his desk, when Julian comes in. James has the email pulled up when Julian comes into view.

James

"I found a financier...well...he found me. He likes "Pistol Lullaby "!! He wants to throw me a bone and pay for the film, but I have to find a director....The director will have all the say and I'll need to get a lawyer..."

Julian (Overwhelmed by the news)

"Whoa...whoa...whoa...WAIT! James!.....Who is this guy?!...How does he have money to just pay for the film?!...How much is this going to cost?!"

James (Pointing to the email)

"Right here....look....he says..."settlement with the university"...He says he lives here in Iowa City....Says he's traveling right now...but he'll be back..."

Julian

"Check this guy out before you start believing any bullshit. What's his name?....Charles Anthony?...ok I'm looking him up right now before you waste ANY TIME believing in someone who doesn't exist!"

Julian begins searching on his phone. The generic name doesn't help his search but by location he finds the right "Charles Anthony".

Julian

"Ok...here is you're "savior"...Says here he JUST signed up for Facebook last month...Seems odd...why would he wait till 2012 to join?"

James (Turning and looking directly at Julian)

"Maybe he was dealing with the whole...you know "cancer thing"...

Julian

"Alright...alright...Set up some kind of meeting...THEN I'll be on board!"

James watches Julian leave the room, somewhat stunned by the lack of celebration he should be receiving.

James

"Excuse me?...Don't I get congratulations through interpreted blow job

Julian comes back into the room, on his cell phone, holding up one finger. James stops mid sentence.

Julian (Waits for the person on the other end of the line to finish speaking)

"Hello...Katie..I'm Julian, I'm the Executive Producer James Thompson's personal assistant...I was calling to see about getting a 7:00 pm reservation?....uh-huh..the film is titled, "Pistol Lullaby"...it just got green lit and were in town for scouting....uh-huh that is right...What channel?...Honey, I can't say who is picking it up yet...I'm just employed by the Executive Producer...yes, I'll hold for your manager..."

James and Julian share a laugh at Julian's playing "Mr. Thompson's assistant to a local stranger. Julian continues their previous conversation as they wait listening to hold music.

Julian

"You wear that one shirt you know I like and I'll give you my congratulations. All. Night. Long. (Startled, he is connected to the manager)...Oh yes, why hello Mr. Stevens..."

Julian rolls his eyes, but turns around and leaves James to enjoy the moment as he deals with trying to land last minute reservations by name dropping until they say yes.

James smiles listening in on his husband gush about the film project. HIS film project like its academy backed to someone who has no clue how movies are made.

Taking it all in, this moment seemed like an eternity to reach, and still so unfathomable to him that James has to remind himself; he deserves this and more importantly, it's "REAL".

James (Re-reading the email, with a confident smile)

"I am going to FUCK up their little perception of Iowa film making...it's all happening...THIS is really happening!"

James hears Julian in the living room, making up names for their production company, dropping his favorite actor names, and even negotiating filming in their favorite restaurant, as if it was what he was meant to do.

James shakes his head, as if not believing this would ever happen to him, a single tear runs down his face. Julian enters the room again, off of the phone this time.

Julian

"We have reservations for 7:00pm!....Now, make sure you're wearing the white shirt you know I love....and I'LL make sure you have the movie star treatment you now deserve....Mr. Executive Producer!.."

James

"Who do you think I should choose for the Director?..."

Julian

"Do you KNOW anyone outside of Doug Valentino?...."

James

"No...Do you think I SHOULD choose him?....He IS a bit of a liar....bipolar...narcissistic...women hating...duchebag..."

Julian (Stopping him before he can rattle off everything that Doug Valentino is)

"...I know...I know...but he's been a producer and writer before...he knows more about this work than you do.....maybe he's a good one to start off with....You can get going in the right direction and if you don't like what he has to say...just fire him and find someone better!"

James

"Oh yeah...simple. Just fire people. Like that's something I can do!"

Julian

"It's something you'll need to get used to if you want this lifestyle....You want to get ahold of him or do you want me to?"

James

"What, tonight?"

Julian

"Yes tonight!....That way, next time this Charles emails you, you can show him you're project is READY, you have a director already on board. You're going to show him that investing in YOUR film will be the greatest investment he makes this year!"

James looks at Julian with a surprised loving look.

James

"You really believe in this?"

Julian

"James, we have this beautiful house to pay off...THIS could be the ticket to us retiring early...paying off all our bills...You doing what it is you do best...That beautiful imagination is going to pay off...We can't afford to NOT believe in the film at this point...Besides all the work is done...Just the hero handing you the money is left...How could Doug screw this up?"

Date: Saturday, January 11th, 2014

Time: 6:00pm

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City Iowa

Emma and Aaron are lounging in their home. Aaron wears a grey bathrobe covered in teddy bears and cartoon snowflakes. Emma wears a pair of black sweatpants, tube socks and Aaron's Rough Riders hockey jersey. Both are lying across their upstairs sectional watching television, flipping through stations. Aaron stops at a local station as the news begins.

News Anchor

"...And up ahead, we have up to the minute playoff details between Seattle and New Orleans....Questions still linger about the contaminated water supply in a local community...but first...families of the alleged intruders of an Iowa City residence speak out on BOTH of their sons defense..."

Emma looks to Aaron, completely surprised. Aaron doesn't respond looking only at the television, unsure whether to be angry or concerned, he waits to react.

Emma

"What...the fuck?"

News Reporter

"In the early morning hours of January 7th, two men entered a local residents home without permission, and were subsequently murdered by the home owners who were defending their home at what they THOUGHT was a late night robbery...Tonight the families of the two intruders say they were a married gay couple who previously owned that very same home....and we're both the victims of con-artist that cost them that very same home."

Linda Gabbert, Victims Mother

"James, and Julian were our sons...(She looks back at the other parents, standing solemnly behind her)...We LOVED them both SO much...We don't know what made them do what they did that night, but we don't want them to be taken away from us without telling their story...Last year, my son James told us he had found funding for a film he had written...this..."financier" along with the director, conned them, into PAYING for the film...then the director threatened James after the money he invested ran out and didn't have the funds to finish..."

"...This was James's first project that had funding...and not knowing the full details of the contract he signed...he obligated himself if the financier didn't come through...the FINANCIER named a "Charles Anthony" from the area, NEVER came through with what he PROMISED...sent emails delaying his "contribution" and even falsified financial records indicating he had wired the advance to their account..."

"...The Director...a Doug Valentino...pursued James about the money, and used his lawyer to make James pay for the film only to burn through the money and demanded more before threatening to sue James for not obligating the contract he signed..."

"...BOTH our sons took on two jobs...and subsequently LOST them...then James became overwhelmed by the burden...turned to...turned to alcohol. (She sniffs back a tear)...Last year, they were too proud to come to us for help...they lost their dream home because of the debt...the bank...Iowa City Community Credit Union...foreclosed..."

Aaron turns off the TV, not wanting to hear anymore of "their side". Getting up, Emma can sense his inner rage. Aaron throws the remote at the couch with anger, and walks into the kitchen. Taking a moment he stares off into the back yard. Their dog, "Oscar" follows daddy, wanting to go outside. Aaron notices, opening the door and watches him go outside.

Emma

"You ok?...Didn't want to..?"

Aaron

"Didn't want to HEAR about THEIR side!...Fuck their side!..I don't want to SEE their crying families telling some sob story...trying to make people feel SORRY for them...for them attacking US!..."

Emma

"I'm sure none of our neighbors CARE about THEIR side. It's not changing the fact that THEY broke into OUR home!!...ATTACKED us while we slept!.."

Aaron

"I know...I know...you don't have to reassure me...I was there... (Aaron looks out the back door, seeing Oscar wanting in, he lets the dog come running in from the cold)...I'm just scared their sob story is going to get to "national attention" and then people who don't even know the situation will start some conspiracy about ME somehow being behind THEIR foreclosure!"

Oscar runs over to Emma, then hears something outside, he growls. Emma moves over and looks out their front bay window. She is frozen in shock by what she sees.

Two different local news station vans park in front of two different neighbors houses. Multiple other various cars park on the street, all these strangers trying not to look at their house scramble with their cameras, and recording equipment.

Emma jumps back behind the blinds, holding them still as to not be seen. Aaron notices Emma, and moves to see for himself. A small handful of reporters are merging and moving up towards their front steps. The camera lights come on. Little red lights come alive in the dark, and move closer to the door.

Aaron looks to Emma, then moves to the front door.

Emma

"Aaron?!...What are you doing?!...Please don't answer the.."

Emma stops when she hears the familiar sound of the deadbolt clicking into the locked position. Aaron comes back up the steps. Aaron stops at the top of the steps, looking at Emma.

Aaron

"Really?...Did you really have to tell me NOT to answer to THEM?!"

-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-

"Mr. and Mrs. Worrell?...Are you home?...We would like just a moment of your time!..."

Emma looks to Aaron, Aaron is hearing but is visibly unconnected to the present.

Emma

"Aaron?..."

-KNOCK-KNOCK-KNOCK-

"...Mr. or Mrs. Worrell?...If you're in there we just want to get your side!...We're sure you've heard the response by the families...We just want to get your comments on the families accusation of "wrongful death" and possible lawsuit?!..."

Aaron reacts with anger before he can stop himself. Turning he begins stomping down the steps, focused on the door.

Emma

"Aaron!...Don't!"

Aaron comes up on the door fast, but brings his fist downward onto the door, banging a loud thump that echoes on the other side of the door. Making the reporters jump. Aaron holds back letting go on the media, resisting the urge to scream obscenities threw the door.

Aaron

"LEAVE MY HOME!....NOW!"

The next moment is choked by uncomfortable silence. The reporters wait for a moment before launching into questions from outside.

"Mr. Worrell, is there any truth about the rumors that you and you're wife competed last year for this very same house with the victims?!"

"Mr. Worrell, you and you're wife paid 10,000$ less than market price for this house, would that have anything to do with you working for the very same bank that took back the foreclosed home from the Thompson's?"

Aaron

"LEAVE!! NOW!!"

Emma

"Aaron!...Don't speak to them!...Do NOT say another word!" (Emma gets up, coming over to the edge of the steps, hoping to stop Aaron)

Aaron swings wildly at the door, never hitting it, but wanting to release his pent up rage. Emma stands back, watching from above. Shocked by the show of uncontrolled anger, she's speechless.

"Mr. Worrell, can you comment on the fact that you stated in the police report that the intruder "James Thompson" had a weapon...when in fact that statement has been questioned by both families of the purported intruders?"

Aaron hangs his head, unaware Emma watches from above. Wanting to respond, but he smiles and silently laughs at how not responding will do more. Aaron gives the front door the "double bird" and heads downstairs to the basement family room without acknowledging Emma or saying a word.

Emma stares at the door, hearing more and more questions. Silently, she stares at the door, never making a sound. Her eyes look guilty, but Aaron is out of sight, downstairs he is heard by Emma pouring a glass of some hard liquor from the bar.

Hearing Aaron slam the glass down and pour himself another, Emma backs away from the top of the stairs looking in the direction of the basement. Emma turns off all the lights upstairs, and begins watching the reporters from the bay window cloaked in the darkness, all while listening to Aaron downstairs.

"Mr. or Mrs. Worrell, can we PLEASE get a statement in response to the families’ accusation that you KNEW he didn't have a weapon, but murdered him anyway to cover your own tracks?"

Aaron (From downstairs)

"That's it!"

Aaron comes stomping upstairs, past the front door, flipping it off as he continues past. Emma watches Aaron silently in the darkness as he heads out the back deck door, disappearing into the cold. A minute later Aaron returns from outside with a garden hose and heads to the kitchen faucet.

Emma says nothing as she hears Aaron grumbling and cussing to himself. Aaron returns to her view, as he unwinds the hose and heads out the back door. Aaron returns to the kitchen, turning on the water he returns to the back deck, water hose in hand.

Aaron lets off a childish laugh as he begins to spray the hose water over the roof of the house, towards the reporters. Emma turns with a surprised smile to see the reporters reacting to the unexpected rain shower they find themselves in. Their cameras, their lights and recorders all are rushed into whatever protection available.

Without time for any more questions they react with screams of surprise. Fleeing like rats being exposed to the light, they seek shelter away in their vehicles. All of them turning towards the house and showing confusion by the rain.

Emma laughs looking back to Aaron, who is leaning back garden sprayer in hand, and flipping the open air his middle finger as he holds an empty drink glass. A steady stream of water flowing over the house lands indiscriminately all over the front yard.

The reporters stay away from the random water fall coming into the front yard. None willing to take a step closer to the home, they do their reports out of the line of Aaron's fire.

Emma

"They're all out of range babe."

Aaron has a disappointed look flash across his face and he lets go of the sprayer. Its stream stops dead.

Aaron

"Aww w...mo-om!...THAT was the most fun I've had in....a LONG time!..."

The realization of his statement changes his tone back to a momentary mental darkness. Aaron comes inside and shuts the door. He leaves the hose attached to the kitchen sink, but shuts off the water.

Aaron looks past Emma, outside to see his handiwork. He bites his lip, holding in the laughter seeing the chaos he created. Emma gets a sincere smile seeing him light up with childish angst.

Emma looks to Aaron as if she wants to say something but holds off seeing how much he seems to be having fun at these strangers expense.

Aaron

"Here's a comment for you pricks; THAT'S called karma!"

Emma looks from Aaron back outside, this time ignoring the chaos, looking past the neighbors being interviewed, to a car pulling away from this "news worthy scene". Emma watches as the brake lights flash, then it disappears out of sight. Somehow Emma wishes that car would have been them. She imagines them in their car, leaving for good.

Date: December 3rd, 2012

Time: 11:45pm

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave., Iowa City Iowa

Setting in front of his laptop, James is visibly stressed. His facial hair grown in a shaggy beard. His nails long and stained in dirt. His clothes reek of the work day he put in. He cares not for any of these things, not anymore. For the first time in his life, all he cares about is getting that money.

In the last month James had set up the initial meeting between the financier and the director. The same meeting Charles found a reason to not make it to the meeting, but called and listened in on. The director set up all the legal paperwork, and the LLC. James had no clue of the work involved and trusted his director's advice.

Not completely reading the paperwork, James blindly signed everything after getting Charles's email, his social security number, date of birth, home address and every other vital needed to start a legitimate film LLC. His verbal commitment to the project hooked Doug into believing in him enough that not SEEING him wasn't a problem.

At the meeting, Charles moved up the date to start the production earlier than anticipated. It was music to both Doug and James's ears. With a date set for funds to be in the company's checking account, James offered to pay for everyone's meals. Even offering to buy Charles a beer at the wrap party, that one night and its celebratory atmosphere, now feels like it may never come.

Weeks of uncertainty fueled by Charles pushing back the dates for his financing only raised costs. Both James and Doug set their schedules around the film timeframe, and set their lives on hold for it.

Both James and Doug were forced to become partners as everyday found another reason, another excuse as to why the money never showed. Each day, Doug fueled by his power of director bullied James into a defensive position of covering what Charles could not.

As the days turned to weeks, more and more money got pumped from James's checking account and swelled the film's LLC account. Flight costs. Crash pads. The crane. Catering. Lodging. Wardrobe. All kept adding to the price.

James looks as if he has been threw the ringer. In less than two weeks he lost 10 pounds. Not showering as frequently, and wearing only his work clothes, he is a shell of the proud-confident man he once was. His skin looks faded, and getting him to smile is harder than getting Charles to come through.

For weeks their cat "Mr. Bonker's", health deteriorated as Julian played nurse, taking it to and from the vet as James focused on forcing his dream to become a reality against overwhelming and insurmountable odds.

"Mr. Bonkers" Health deteriorated so much, so quickly that James and Julian had no options other than putting down their friend, and roommate. James couldn't even focus on grieving for their lifelong friend, due to the film, and the mess it created in his life.

James now sets in front of his laptop at the desk, surrounded by his phone, iPad, receipt book, and countless papers filled with different notes. He balls and forms a small ball of mounting putty in his hand as he types his thoughts out on the screen.

James reads over all the messages between him and Charles in the last month. All of them, pleas for help to the one man who can save everything, but has seemingly been the cause.

"I know this is major fucked up, but we are a week behind. Doug HAS to have the money Monday. He's already out$1000. I’m personally in for $7,000 at this point. We are very very very sorry about your daughter. No joke. We are not mad, just extremely behind the 8 ball. We are still in CR this morning and would like to meet up with you."

"We will meet you anywhere, anytime. If today doesn't work we can do it tomorrow, anytime, anyplace. Just let me know ASAP."

"No possible way to get it done today? Everyday we wait flight costs go up. We are also in the middle of pilot season, meaning every actor needs a deposit or they're out. If its tomorrow we have to have a check in hand."

"I'm sorry to be a prick or have that feeling of stalking you. I trust you. I trust Doug. He has been doing SO MUCH. This thing is serious. We already have A LOT of attention already. No joke, I've seen emails of people wanting in on this."

"Ok hope everything is better on your end. We HAVE to know if you’re in. If the money isn't there, Doug has other people he can contact about the film, and finding funding. But we NEED to know NOW. Before he reaches out or does anything. He is so invested in this and were beyond deadlines. Get at me ASAP."

James feels an overwhelming sickness in his gut. A sickness clouding his mind and body. Unable to eat, sleep or even think a minute without reverting to the impending doom of his film.

He just wants to keep from holding back and scream at Charles Anthony for the stress and bullshit he has gone thru. Just getting a FACE TO FACE would be enough. But with each email Charles gave him just enough to continue believing in him, but never coming thru. Now a month past deadlines, James has no way of forcing him to do what he promised.

Each day the situation goes from bad to worse, as nothing seems to fall into place. Bills continue to mount. Actors drop out for various "diva issues". And along with each day, no money is deposited in their account.

Each day brings another email, another plea. Each minute no reply turns into hours in James's mind. Hour’s later hope arrives in the form of quick-short replies, full of promises but no delivery.

Not wanting to hear it, his phone vibrates, another text from Doug. Another demand. James looks over his new plea for Charles to come thru, a sinking hopelessness feeling overwhelms him and tears fill his eyes. He knows it’s a waste of time, he knows Charles wont reply, he knows this because NOTHING in his life has ever "worked out".

Sure, James can tell himself he has a great life, a great partner, a great home. But everything that mattered to him, he has always come up short. His career. His writing. His dreams. His own belief in himself, have all always made it difficult to feel some sort of accomplishment.

James gives the email one last final look over before hitting "send".

"Ok. I'm going to lay it out there. I'm mad, communication is not working. I'm getting chewed out every day, my sleep is pretty much nonexistent. You don't reply. We have no idea of what's going on. IF you’re going to do what you said you would. Doug has got everything going but we can't do anything else till you come through. I'm tired of not knowing. I’m pretty much watching this distentergrate before my eyes. You could understand why I would be pissed. We've been doing everything to make this happen. It will happen with or without you. Seriously I am very sorry if anything happened to your daughter. But we have no idea what's going on. I have a really bad feeling about this, and not knowing, is not helping. I am available ALL DAY. Call. Text. Email. Do something! If we don't hear from you we have to do something to make it happen. If this falls through, it sets Doug and I back 10 years. We have discounted deals on actors and equipment. If it falls threw we look like lying assholes. People on Facebook are seriously interested in this. This will make us money. We have to communicate! If the money isn't there, that's ok. We just need to act now! We NEED to KNOW so we can make the right moves to make it happen."

And with one click, the screen goes blank and small "success" notification pops onto the screen. Seeing his thoughts, fears and dreams get turned into an electronic form of communication breaks his heart seeing it "gone". Knowing it all will fall on deaf ears.

The phone buzzes again. Doug again, with more demands of his time and money. James sighs to himself, seeing the time, and how much of his night was wasted after work on the film, he pours another shot of whiskey in his glass. Making sure not to clink the glass, he hides the bottle back away in the desk.

He sets ashamed to be the shell he once was; proud, confident, and intelligent being replaced with exhausted, drained, and confused. The clink of bottle to glass can alert Julian of his new crutch, and he makes sure to be extra careful. Many heated conversations have arose after James spends his night silently drinking away the pain, and typing words that aren't going into the film, but are his attempts at sustaining it.

Downing the glass, the phone vibrates again. James doesn't have to look to know who it is attempting to get a hold of him THIS late on a Monday night. Looking at the clock, its lines blur, trying to see the calendar is even worse. 16 days until principal shooting, and going on 5 hours till his alarm will sound.

James clicks off the laptop, and the entire house is dark except the light illuminating from the television in their bedroom. James walks in, seeing Julian is deep asleep and has been comatose for hours. Scattered across the carpet, the pills his therapist prescribed for the loss of "Mr. Bonkers".

James grabs a handful, looking over Julian sleep peacefully, James ponders if his suicide would even be worth it at this point. Thinking over his problems, he realizes the loss would be too much for Julian, and pours the pills back into the bottle.

James (To himself)

"Who knows James?....Maybe tomorrow I'll just get killed on the way to work...."

James looks at Julian, then to the pill bottle. Feeling the near full bottle, his insurance policy", if the stress from the film is too much.

James

"...Tomorrow...I may have a date with all you little pretties."

James tosses the bottle on the nightstand, and gets into bed. Julian doesn't move an inch, and James cannot take his eyes from his sleeping lover.

James turns the TV off, and in the darkness he apologizes to Julian.

James

"I'm sorry...Maybe tomorrow I won't have to mean it."

Date: Monday, January 20th, 2014

Time: 5:30 pm

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City Iowa

Aaron turns off of Sycamore Street onto Gleason Ave. The street is littered with cars on both sides. Most seem familiar, as he slows coming closer to his house. Pulling into the driveway he notices a box on the top of his steps.

Aaron eyes it uneasy as he pulls into the garage. Parking his car, he gets out and comes around outside. Aaron looks to the large box perched at the top of the steps in front of their front door.

Aaron carefully walks up the steps, making sure not to slip on the icy steps. Moving slowly, he grabs the landing rail for support as he checks out the mysterious box. No postage, markings or wrapping. Aaron hesitantly picks it up. Feeling it so light, he opens the box hesitantly.

The box is completely empty, and Aaron looks at it confused. From directly behind him, a voice asks;

"Aaron Worrell?"

Aaron spins around fast, fast enough to startle the stranger.

Aaron doesn't respond, but greets the stranger with untrusting eyes.

Stranger

"I'm sorry to do this you....You've been served."

The stranger holds out a Manila envelope. Aaron looks from it to the strangers face.

Stranger

"Good luck man."

Aaron takes the envelope, and the stranger starts to walk away.

Aaron

"Hey!.."

The stranger stops, and turns around. Aaron grabs the box, and chucks it hard towards the stranger's face. It bounces off of his face, and momentarily stuns him.

Aaron

"...Take your trash asshole."

The stranger doesn't know how to respond, Aaron clicks the garage door to close and heads inside the front door without looking back.

Inside Emma is awaiting at the top of the steps.

Emma

"Who were you talking to?"

Aaron opens the envelope without responding. Aaron slowly closes the door as he reads.

Emma

"Aaron?..."

Aaron

"We're being sued..."

Emma

"What?!...For WHAT?!"

Aaron looks at Emma annoyed, then continues to read.

Aaron

"We better call your families lawyers. It's a civil suit...being brought on by their families. Wrongful death."

Emma is stunned by the news, and can't find the words to say out loud.

Aaron

"I think they're going to go with the "unarmed" theory....

Emma

"What are we going to do?!"

Aaron (Looking to be the strong one in this moment)

"It's ok. Call your mom. Get her lawyers number. We have 21 days till the trial starts..."

Emma moves to her phone. Playing with the screen, she looks back at Aaron.

Aaron

"...And then we better call our bosses. Let them know...so we don't get fired for NOT informing them of this....Fuck...If I DON'T lose my job because of this catastrophe it will be a god-dam miracle!"

Emma

"WHY on earth would they fire YOU?!"

Aaron looks up to Emma with concern.

Aaron

"Because I work for a company that cares only about money. And their image. They don't employ criminals. And people aren't going to want to bank with them if they do. WHO is going to want to get a loan from some accused murderer?!"

Emma

"You're NOT!!...You're NOT a murderer!...And FUCK THEM! Fuck the public! They know NOTHING! As soon as we go to trial EVERYONE will SEE the truth!"

Aaron (Looking at Emma gravely)

"Yeah, well we have 21 days till the "truth" comes out. Whether we want it to or not."

Aaron looks from Emma to the spot where James died at his hands. Aaron starts heading down the stairs towards the family room.

Aaron

"The truth. The whole truth. And nothing but the truth..."

Aaron disappears into the family room. Emma stands at the top of the stairs looking down towards Aaron. Her face goes from apprehension to concern as he disappears.

Date: December, 21st 2012

Time:

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City Iowa

James looks over the latest message to "Charles", the latest new plea from a couple of days ago, and still no money from Charles in their account:

"Day 2 of filming. Still no money in the account. You can see how frustrating and stressful the situation is. Considering you find it acceptable to not reply. Dude, you are only as good as your word. If you promise to do something and never come through you see how fucked that is. Go ahead and not reply. Hide away or do whatever it is you do. We have you in a written contract man. I've never wanted to be a dick. But I have put $30,000 of my money in. I hope you're laughing at me for believing in you. I don't know why you would blatantly lie about doing what you promised to do. Thanks man for turning my dream into a nightmare, it is all your fault. I'll put up with Doug, but you are fucked up. No reply. Not even caring about the $50,000 to even check. Don't be blaming technology man, I'm not buying it. Running and hiding will not do you any good. Fucking get at me. Or not, whatever man. We can let a judge decide."

After spending the first two days on set, James realized just how far out to sea he really is. He watches his money spent as if there is no tomorrow. Everything is chaotic. Nothing seems to go right. Watching a professional setup turn into a series of "B" rated performances makes him sick knowing there is no guarantee on his investment. The acting seems off from the concept. The director sets like a dictator, barking orders to everyone and demeaning the female cast, and worst of all ignores every differing opinion.

Nothing goes right without 5 takes, and by then, an hour is wasted. The director, who stars as the sidekick, can't even deliver on a performance that requires nothing more than for him to look in the mirror and act like he normally does; a crazed duchebag. His lines can't get performed without 10 takes, and everyone's eyes rolling by the time he is satisfied.

James walked amongst them like a ghost. His investment in the film was thanks to his above average credit score. Three days before filming started his credit card company along with his bank, approved loaning him $20,000 which along with his investments in the weeks leading up had put him right at $27,000 invested.

Not being able to wait for the financier's money to actually come in, James began the process of using whatever credit was available. Putting in what he made in one year in a span of two weeks, not only frightened James, but it put him in a position that obligated him to wait for any kind of return, without any guarantee of a payday.

All of this, the drama, the stress, the lies, the days of constant belittling emails forced him to walk off of set. Never wanting to return. Driving the hour back from set, James could only drive with tunnel vision. Slow and steady in the silence without radio, he just silently prayed for some sort of godly intervention of help. A random accident in front of him that would take him out of this life, and away from explaining how he lost all of their money to Julian.

Arriving to a sleeping home, he doesn't awaken Julian from his medicated slumber. Instead James heads downstairs to their bar, and his new best friend, HIS medication.

A couple of glasses of rum, followed by six beers, in silence he could hear the wind blowing hard outside. Without waking Julian, James stumbles upstairs, and steals two pills without even looking at them from Julian's nightstand. James heads back downstairs and starts the numbing process all over.

Before he knows it, his head is on the bar counter, and he's seeing the director Doug standing behind his bar, serving drinks. A dark blurred figure stands away from the light out of his view; what must be Charles.

James grabs the bottle of rum and tries pouring a glass but spills all over the bar. Doug grabs the shaky bottle from James, and begins to pour his glass for him.

Doug

"You know I'm going to need more money. More money, James."

Charles is setting at the bar, but his face is covered by shadows.

Charles

"Just pay him. I'm going to wire that money first thing in the morning."

James looks from Doug to Charles.

James

"I...I don't HAVE any more money."

Doug

"That's not the answer."

Charles grabs his cell phone, and begins texting.

James

"No..Seriously man...I'm tapped...I..I don't know how I'm going to tell Julian I spent all of our savings..."

Doug quits paying attention, and responds to his phone. Laughing to himself, he immediately responds verbally as well as typing.

Doug (Looking into his phone)

"I know right."

Charles (Looking into his phone)

"He doesn't get it."

Charles (To James)

"We're doing OUR JOBS James. Doug has done EVERYTHING for this film..."

Doug

"I've done more than you could have ever DREAMED of!"

Charles (To James)

"Tomorrow you guys will have the money. You just have to step up till then..."

Doug

"Yeah, step up and pay me!"

James

"Guys....I REALLY don't have the money!..."

Charles

"TRUST ME!...TOMORROW you WILL have the money dawg...Just pay the man..,"

Doug

"You know, you're a shitty writer..,and I did ALL the work to make this happen..."

Charles

...He's doing all the work...

Doug

"I took a MONTH off from work...I scouted the location...put the entire crew together...I lined up travel, lodging, catering...I've done more than you have ever expected!...You wouldn't even be HERE if it wasn't ME putting my life, my family and my CAREER on the line for this!.."

Charles (Taking the bottle and pouring himself a shot)

"...SOME people just don't know how lucky they are...Just..Just so ungrateful man...."

James can’t respond, feeling backed into a corner. He can't find the words to respond to both of their attacks. Charles and Doug seem to transform into James deepest and darkest insecurities.

Doug

"...If you DON'T pay me, I'm gonna SUE YOU!....I'm going to take this shitty script and make a million..And you WON'T GET SHIT!..."

Charles

"Seems pretty easy man...Just pay the man!..."

James

"I DON'T HAVE ANY FUCKING MONEY!...BECAUSE OF BOTH OF YOU!...YOU MOTHER FUCKERS! You BOTH put me through all this shit! I can't eat! I don't fucking sleep!..."

Doug

"Join the club."

James

"Fuck you! Get OUT of MY house!"

Doug

"Hey man, calm down. I don't want to be the guy who SUES the creator but...."

James

"Get. Out. Of. My. Head."

Charles

"Cold mother fucker."

Doug

"I guess he HAS to be. He's going to be the only creator to never get a dime for a blockbuster he created."

James

"GET."

Charles

"How you gonna explain missing 30g's to your old lady upstairs?"

James

"OUT."

Doug

"Dude, YOU are BLOWING this!"

James

"OF."

Doug

"I COULD HAVE made all your dreams come true."

James

"MY!"

Doug

"Good luck ever seeing that money again!"

James

"HEAD!"

James jumps up throwing his glass towards Doug. Doug stands expecting it with open arms. The throwing motion throws James backwards in the barstool. James falls backwards in the barstool as his glass shatters the mirror behind the bar.

James hits the ground, falling off of the barstool, its back support shatters from the fall. James lies in silent pain, not wanting to wake Julian, he lays and waits for some sort of noise from upstairs.

With no reaction, he can react to the pain. Slowly getting up, James holds his head, closing his eyes he tries to dull the pain by massaging the back of his head.

Opening his eyes, he sees the remains of the mirror. Different versions of himself reflect back at him in a jagged mess. Sighing at his own stupidity, he just shakes his head, hearing Julian's reaction already in his head.

Julian

"WHAT were you THINKING?! GREAT! THAT has to be fixed before you even THINK about having a wrap party down here!"

James decides cleaning up the mess is worth waiting till morning, and turns off the light. As he looks back into the darkness, he notices his phone light up with another message.

Every fiber in him, screams "no!" but James checks it anyway, knowing it’s probably Doug with another demand.

Sent from Doug

"What did you LEAVE?! Man the fuck up! How about I just cut you as executive producer as you can't cut it. Kiss $100,000 goodbye unless you get your ass back here tomorrow. Sooner NOT later!"

James groans to himself, moving to turn off his cell phone he is exhausted from everything. Not caring anymore, he waits for the screen to go black. Standing in the quiet darkness his anger takes over and he throws his cell towards the shattered mirror.

The phone hitting the mirror, and more glass breaking is heard in the darkness.

From upstairs in the darkness Julian calls down to him.

Julian

"James, quit breaking our house and come to bed!"

James (To himself)

"Fuuuck."

Date: Friday, January 24th, 2014

Time: 11:00 am

Location: "Iowa City Community Credit Union"

Aaron doesn't hear a word his boss, Mr. Higgins, is saying to him. He nods his understanding. Understanding his life has turned into hell. Aaron understands, yes his work HAS been lacking detail. Customers have expressed "concern" about Aaron. His overall performance is just too much for them to "overlook".

They "feel" for him and Emma. They do. Mr. Higgins delivers an Oscar worthy portrayal by a stand in character in "Asshole Boss's Sympathetic Termination".

Aaron swallows and all sound is just an echo. His skin is pale and sweaty. He's burning up but his body is cold sweating, as he stumbles back to his office. He didn't hear the words, but read Higgins's lips; "we have to let you go Aaron" plays over and over in his head.

The long walk back to his office is full of stares from co-workers, whispered conversations, and pitiful looks that make Aaron want to vomit up the large breakfast Emma made for him.

His body is numb and his mind fried. He doesn't hear a word "Becky" is saying to him from the doorway.

Putting his head down, he needs darkness from his tunnel vision.

Aaron

"Leave me alone."

All he can hear is a low frequency of static, until it’s broken by Becky closing the door.

The sound of her hose covered legs is amplified as she comes close in the quiet room. With his head down he hears:

Becky

"They know about...us. Everything."

Aaron looks up, without words, he just shakes his head, not wanting to her anymore.

Becky

"I'm so sorry. They called me in. Showed me the tapes they have of us. I'm so sorry Aaron. I told them everything. I told them, you were going to leave her....but then the break-in happened...and everyone's lives got turned upside down....Aaron...I didn't know what to do...I...I...I have two weeks...then I'm terminated....They promised not to say anything publicly...about us..."

Aaron tongues the inside of his teeth. Speechless at the bottomless pit he is free falling in.

Becky

"...I won't ever tell Emma...I mean I understand it’s a sticky situation...I just want you to know I'm here for you...whenever you are ready..."

In Aaron's mind he just wants her gone without having to tell her to leave.

Becky

"...If you decide not to leave her...I will understand...I can't imagine what you've gone threw...What you BOTH went through....Goodbye Aaron. I will always love you."

Without waiting for any kind of response, Becky turns to leave, taking a breath for inner strength. Aaron watches her will herself to leave the room. Aaron knows, that deep breath was for strength for leaving him too.

Becky closes the door, the room resumes its silence, and Aaron puts his head back down.

In his darkness, Aaron can hear a commotion outside his protected bubble. Looking up, Aaron can see a group of coworkers huddling around a television. The news at noon. Aaron tries to ignore, looking around for something to preoccupy him until he is stopped by hearing Emma's faint voice.

Aaron looks up, beyond his office, beyond his co-workers is Emma. Her face on the television. He recognizes their living room behind her. A couple of employees look back to Aaron's office.

Aaron gets up and moves to the door quietly, not wanting anyone to hear or see him, he opens the door, and listens in from his office.

From the television, Emma is heard;

Emma

"My husband Aaron had NOTHING to do with this...whole horrible situation...He didn't CON anyone...He's a hard working, loyal, dependable person. Anyone from his job would attest to that..."

Aaron looks around as some of his co-workers look to each other for some sort of reassurance. Some look back to Aaron's office, and see him standing in the doorway, listening in. Aaron makes eye contact, his face is without emotion. He stares down the rubber necker's back to watching Emma.

Emma

"....Aaron is my BEST friend....I have known him over 10 years now...He would NEVER hurt ANYONE!...He gets SO MUCH pleasure being able to help people...Help them get loans to make their lives better....Why would the same man LIE to complete strangers?..."

Aaron picks up on a hushed conversation between two co-workers. One of them says something and laughs, then looks back to Aaron. Seeing Aaron stare back at them, they react with guilty faces, before looking back to the TV.

Emma

"...Yes, we wanted the house. We put in an offer, thought we were going to get it....but "they" won out. I don't know why....our agent never said anything other than "They got the house." You gotta understand, I...WE wanted that house SO BAD...it was heartbreaking...but we're Iowan's....we struggle...we fight...we persevere..."

The reporter asks, "Do you know if Aaron ever saw the accused intruders about a loan for the house?"

Emma stops, not knowing the answer.

Emma

"If he did or if he didn't...Aaron wouldn't have known..."

The Reporter

"If Aaron had seen them, he would have known all the details about which home they were interested in purchasing..."

Emma

"I'm sure there are records of that...I wouldn't...I don't know for sure..."

The Reporter

"According to the families...BOTH of the accused had bank accounts with University of Iowa Credit Union...and had been rejected for the home loan by the credit union..."

Emma

"They also have 4 loan officers....it doesn't mean that Aaron would have seen them...or had any part of rejecting them..."

The Reporter

"According to the families...THAT was the main reason they switched banks.."

Emma

"Again...I don't know...."

The Reporter

"...and on April 28th, 2011, one of the accused Facebook page published a post detailing their rejection, which got quite a response about the credit union's home loan practices..."

Emma

"I wouldn't know...it's not like Aaron would ever know that. It's a free country...if you get rejected for a loan...a HOME loan by someone you bank with...yeah...I can completely understand how that could piss someone off..."

Aaron groans to himself seeing the co-workers exchanging looks. Seeing the looks out of the corners of their eyes.

Emma

"Look...the Iowa City Community Credit Union is a great bank....they have some of the nicest most caring employees....They have ALWAYS treated Aaron and me like we're family...I...I really can't say too many nice things about the company..."

Some of the co-workers smile to each other, others look back to Aaron knowing the truth. Aaron looks past the group to Mr. Higgins, who is standing just outside his office. Coffee mug in hand, he looks directly back at Aaron.

Mr. Higgins and Aaron exchange a stare down, until Mr. Higgins breaks his hold to smile and acknowledge the happy exchanges. Aaron watches on, knowing no one will ever know the truth. Or know the true Mr. Steve Higgins.

Emma

"...Iowa City Community Credit CARES about the community. They WANT to help people out...it's part of why people bank there...the people that work there are some of the most genuine, dedicated, loyal people around..."

Becky walks past the crowd, trying not to show emotion hearing Emma's words. Mr. Higgins looks from Becky back to Aaron. His gaze is more confident now.

Emma

"....And Aaron is a genuine, passionate, deeply loyal man..."

Mr. Higgins laughs to himself, as he turns back into his office and shuts the door.

Emma

"I am so lucky to have him as my husband...my best friend....and for the rest of my life...no matter what..."

Aaron can't take any more, as his co-workers turn their attention to him. All adoring the kind words Emma pours out for him. Impatiently he turns away from their unwanted looks, and locks himself back in his office. Closing the door, and turning off the lights he hears Emma's closing words echo.

Emma

"...No matter what."

Date: Monday, February 25th 2013

Time 5:35 pm

Location: Hynes Ice Cream Shop, Iowa City

James puts his car into park, and looks thru the window into Hynes Ice Cream. Knowing Julian will be in the back office, James finishes his cigarette as he looks over the new pile of receipts, and empty liquor bottles that litter his car.

All day at work he couldn't stop stressing about how much he's invested into the film, and how much more was needed to complete post production. When he took the time to figure up his new monthly expenses; it hit him, with both he and Julian’s business slow for the season, they were in over their heads. Even if he found a part time job, it wouldn't be enough to save them from digging too deep into debt.

Now, here, today he knew he had to tell Julian the truth, and deal with the consequences. Julian had been his rock, his support system, his one true believer, and now he had to give that same person the worst news of his life.

After "Mr. Bonkers" passed, Julian changed. His shine of positive light was faded and dull. He didn't have that extra pep in his step that James had become accustomed to over the years. Never before had he seen his partners soul be drained by anything, that he feared the loss of their pet was too much for Julian.

James's phone vibrates with another demeaning text from Doug. James can read the first line as it scrolls across the top of his screen, "I can't fucking believe you..."

James sighs looking away. In the last couple of days, Doug's negativity has focused solely on James, because of James "finding" Charles. James has kept his guilt hidden from Julian, but not from his co-workers, and today was the breaking point.

When James took his lunch break, he sat in the company vehicle adding up his bills. Its number drove James to have a panic attack in front of his co-workers. Their reassurance and support helped stave off the rest of the day, but he knew, as soon as work was over, he would have to face the truth. And deliver that same truth to Julian.

James gets out of the car before he realizes it. Heading towards the front door, he slips, passing it off as ice for anyone watching. He fiddles in his coat for a piece of gum to hide his breath.

On the way home, James had to stop for a six pack of confidence. Before he pulled in Hyne's parking lot, he killed off his purchase and hid the bottles amongst his car's trash.

Walking in the shop, it sets near empty. One college aged student sets in front of his laptop, pulling off of the free wifi, he ignores James completely. James quietly walks past Julian's one remaining employee as she plays on her phone at the register.

James

"Julian in the back?"

Rose (Not even looking up)

"Where else?"

James walks post Rose, and heads for Julian's office. He is stopped by seeing the door closed. It's never closed.

James silently creeps close to the door, listening in he can hear Julian crying. James knocks on the door with concern.

Julian (From behind the closed door)

"Rose....I TOLD you I needed some privacy today..."

James

"Honey...it's me...Can I come in?"

James waits patiently in silence as Julian composes himself and comes to the door. Hearing the lock pop before Julian slowly opens the door, frightens James as he enters the room.

James

"Since when have you started locking doors?"

Julian (Moving back to his desk)

"I needed some space....Things haven't been great...for either of us...How was your day?"

James looks away now, knowing how hard this is going to be.

Julian (Realizing its going to get worse)

"That bad. Great...."

James

"I love you so much...I'm so so so sorry for this....(James breaks in tears)...I dug us in too deep..."

Julian (Trying to calm him)

"Baby..baby..It’s ok...we're both in a slow season...well be ok in a couple of months..."

James

"No!...I DID the numbers today....we're in too deep..."

Julian

"What do you mean “were in too deep?!"

James

"I figured up the bills....and I'm so sorry...I'm so sorry..."

Julian

"What?...What does this mean?!"

James

"I don't know...We're going to have to DO something..."

Julian

"And just WHAT do we NEED to do James?! BOTH of us get second jobs?!"

James

"Baby, I'm SO sorry. I did this. All of it. I know this...But I just don't know what to do...I know business won't pick up for either of us for another month...and by then..."

Julian

"By then WHAT?!"

James can't respond correctly so he searches for his next words to defuse Julian.

James (Finally responds solemnly)

"We won't be able to afford the house..."

Julian takes in his response in stunned silence. Wanting James to continue, he prods for answers.

Julian

"What do you mean?!...We don't have a choice!...We have a home loan!...One that is due first of the month regardless!"

James lets Julian unload on him. He knows deep down he deserves it.

Julian

"WHAT do you think we can just WALK AWAY from our FIRST HOUSE?!...You think the bank will CARE about OUR LITTLE problem?!...You think the banks will JUST LET US WALK AWAY?!..."

James

"I don't know baby....I've never failed THIS badly...I..I just couldn't stop thinking about HOW MUCH I've put in...and...and so I added everything up...I figured what you and I make...now...in the slow season...and it's not going to be enough..."

Julian

"Babe..If it’s SO bad...we'll call our parents...they will help however they can...we're going to get thought this...together..."

James

"I can't...I can't...I WON'T ask them for help again!...Do you remember how long it took us to pay them back for last time?!...Do you think I could ever face them again with my hand out!?"

Julian

"WELL YOU BETTER FIGURE THIS OUT!!...SOON!...You THINK I WANT to lose our home?!....You think I'm willing to walk away because of YOUR MISTAKE?!"

As soon as he says it, he wants to take it back. His harsh words have an immediate impact on James.

Julian

"James...I'm sorry I didn't mean that!..."

James nods, waiving off the apology, trying to not show how low he feels.

James

"It's ok...it's ok...I deserve that. I brought this on us....I'm the one who made the mistakes.."

Julian

"James...I'm sorry...I'm just really..."

James

"I know...I know...I feel so bad...for everything...everything I've done..."

Julian

"Awww...babe...We will get through this...no matter what. I promise you..."

James

"I know...I know..But this time...this time...we might lose everything..."

Julian gets up and comes over to James, pulling him close Julian squeezes him for reassurance.

Julian

"As long as I have you...I need nothing else."

James holds his head down, still unwilling to bring his eyes back to Julian. Julian forces him to meet his eyes.

Julian

"I can lose everything...this job...our money...our home....but I can't...I WON'T lose you!....You are my EVERYTHING!...No matter how low you get...you better remember how much I NEED you!....EVERY!...DAY!..."

James squeezes back reluctantly, then accepting his words, he breaks down, sobbing in Julian's arms.

Julian

"Now...we're NOT going out without a fight!....I'm going to stay till close. You go home...take a nice long shower. Relax for a minute. Nothing is set in stone. We can find a way out of this...and we WILL!"

Julian squeezes an extra hug in, letting James know he can let go. James steps back, slightly hiding his face and the tears. Julian sees, and helps James wipe his eyes dry.

Julian

"You focus on dinner...I'll focus on the bills...it will be better that way...I don't like to see you like this...Let ME worry about the bills for one night....and hey, no self medicating tonight ok?"

James nods, knowing exactly what Julian is getting at.

Julian

"Take that shower...you reek honey...and not in the sweaty sexy man way, either..."

James smiles reluctantly, ashamed of the secret addiction that isn't so secret to Julian.

James

"I'm going to have to steal a gallon of "Rocky Road" for tonight...."

Julian (Moving to leave the office)

"You just take whatever you need girl...My ice cream is your ice cream. Tell Rose, to take her lunch break. I think I'm ready to be social again. Come on....Let’s get you your "Rocky Road"

Date: Friday, January 27th, 2014

Time: 9:53 am

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City

Aaron opens his eyes and sees the time, 9:53 am. His first weekday of being unemployed and the self loathing only ceases when his eyes close. His sleep schedule has dramatically changed, as his new isolated mindset has him staying up late, addicted to anything on YouTube to momentarily take his mind off of the new reality.

Studying the alarm clock, Aaron knows the house is empty as Emma let him sleep in when she left for work. Her selflessness makes him withdraw even more, knowing deep down HE is the true cause for losing his job.

Aaron was saved by claiming the credit union fired him because of the lawsuit, but two others know the truth. And at any moment, that truth could be exposed without hesitation. That fear is the only thing keeping from Aaron from exploding with anger.

If Emma ever found out the truth, his whole world would be left in tatters, as he knows she's strong enough to leave him. Especially for something like that, so out of the blue for his character. Something so against the facade of "Aaron Worrell".

He could lie and say that Becky was a mistake, but deep down Aaron isn't sure. Emma is everything to him, but the disconnect between their personalities has made him wonder recently about his decisions and where they have led him in his life.

Aaron rolls out of bed, feeling shaggy he looks into the mirror. Almost a full beard has formed, his hair looks like its two weeks past its regular trimming. In the last couple of days Aaron took a step back as the alpha member of the household, preferring to let Emma make the petty decisions of food, talk and entertainment.

His wardrobe has consisted of the same sweatpants and white t-shirt that are stained from Saturday's coffee spill. His departure from the grind of everyday work has transformed his personality to that of someone who has given up looking for his next career. Given up on social media. And given up on "hope".

Getting up and moving, Aaron bounces from making coffee to the couch, then to the bathroom after the coffee kicks in. The morning seems to fly by and Aaron is stuck in slow motion, never really waking up. Staying up till 4:30 am, he never really fell asleep.

Mindlessly flipping through channels, his mind races but his body sets immobile. Never focusing on any one thing in particular, he tries numbing the pain by finding comedies, then to pet videos. When his patience runs out he surfs for different topics, eventually falling to "conspiracies".

Scrolling down, he is floored to read his own name under a recently uploaded conspiracy theory video. Aaron sets in stunned silence for a couple of seconds, looking around the house instinctively for someone to tell, his eyes fall back upon the television, unsure whether to watch it or not. Seeing it already has 543 views and being 2 days old his curiosity gets the better of him, and before he can stop himself, it's already playing.

For the next 8 minutes and 19 seconds, Aaron watches as he is implicated by the up loader "TruthforJandJ", as the mastermind behind the financier scam for "Pistol Lullaby". The credit union is named directly as a silent partner behind a move to rid the neighborhood of not only a married gay couple, but also a minority in a mostly Caucasian neighborhood.

Aaron can only shake his head, as even he could look past the truth, and see how the up loader’s video paints a damming picture. It has everything about him, his job, his mistakes, and his past work histories. If he didn't know the Aaron Worrell from the video, he would be convinced he did everything the video claims.

That scared Aaron the worst. It was KNOWING that the message would be amplified during the upcoming trial. This video, these 8 minutes and 19 seconds, could paint his downfall, even before the trial begins.

When the video finishes, information regarding helping the families flashes across the screen. Immediately Aaron pauses the video, running across the room he scrambles for a notepad and pen. Recording the information, Aaron gets every detail with a flash of determination.

Picking up his cell, he rings his lawyer ready to unload about this video, hoping "Barry" can get it pulled before it hits 600 views.

Aaron

"Barry York. Tell him it's Aaron Worrell. And it's an emergency."

Aaron eyes the info on the screen while listening to "Today" by Smashing Pumpkins on speaker. After a minute Barry answers with his calm professional demeanor.

Barry

"Mr. Worrell, what can I do for you this morning?"

Aaron

"Are you at a computer?"

Barry

"Yessss?"

Aaron

"Go to YouTube. Type in my name. Call me back when you have a plan."

Barry

"Aaron!...Wait!"

Aaron hangs up not even hearing a response. Wanting to hit play the same exact moment Barry does, Aaron believes them both viewing the video at the same time he can see just which moment causes Barry to call him back at.

Hitting play, the video starts all over again. It starts with a shot of the intruders, James and Julian Thompson. Instead of intruders, the video repeatedly refers to them as "victims".

The video recounts their struggle to find decent housing, with their college loans and low incomes. The video recounts their attempt at getting a decent house loan, and being rejected by Aaron Worrell, and the Iowa City Community Credit Union.

It recounts how many banks rejected their home loan offer after Aaron Worrell found a "discrepancy" with their stated income, that later turned out to be an accounting error on his part.

Aaron scoffs at this statement.

"The video claims that Aaron found out which house the Thompson's were interested in, and realized it was the same house that he and his wife "Emma Worrell" we're also interested in. The credit union's policy regarding any accounts with "errors" will automatically issue a fraud alert. The Thompson's were no different."

"The fraud alert delayed them getting a loan for the house, and when the error was discovered it was only after the Thompson's pressed for answers, which added another week of stalling from the credit union."

"As the Thompson's waited, Aaron and Emma Worrell tried to purchase the house, but were only stopped by Aaron being forced to submit a letter, admitting his mistake. His admittance of a major mistake received no punishment from his employers, but the Worrell's did not receive the home. Even after Emma's family attempted to secure a home loan in their name for the house, even offering $10,000 over the value of the home."

"This loss "pushed" Aaron to committing fraud. During the home loan interview between Aaron Worrell and the Thompson's, Aaron found out that James Thompson was a struggling screen writer."

"That information was later used by Aaron Worrell to "punish" James and Julian for getting the home. Aaron and Emma's "dream home"."

"After losing his dream home to the Thompson's, Aaron searched screenwriting networking websites for James. After finding him, Aaron set up a fake online identity and began the long process of conning James. Aaron's online identity, "Anthony Jones", contacted James about his screenplay, "Pistol Lullaby", informing James that he was interested in financing the screenplay into a short film."

"Charles Anthony" made James and the director "Doug Valentino" believe in his lies of being too busy to meet in person but sent them forged contracts and financial records, and then repeatedly delayed following thru with the intended investment."

"The delay caused costs to rise, and forced James and Doug to cover the costs all while trying to contact "Charles Anthony" for some sort of response. Aaron refused to respond even after repeated threats of lawsuits."

"The con or "catfish" caused a major a rift in the filming and was the basis of the falling out between director and creator. The stress and tension of repeated failures with the film project drove both men to break."

"The director turned his legal attention on anyone he could, now threatening James, he lashed out trying anyway he could to finish getting the finances for the film. Phone records show the Doug Valentino was not above manipulating James's nativity. Completely lying and fabricating facts, James felt so much pressure to do anything he could to finish the film and get it ready for distribution that he took on more debt than he and Julian could afford."

"Less than 2 months after filming was complete, James dream had become his nightmare. Unable to keep steady work, the stress of money was magnified as both James and Julian couldn't make enough to pay their bills."

"On March 31st James and Julian were forced out of their new home, and had to find a cost effective rental property to stay in until their finances could afford better accommodations."

The film "Pistol Lullaby" was never completed. Doug Valentino "destroyed" the footage after James had his lawyer intervene during their fallout. Some believe the footage was never destroyed, but is still in Doug Valentino's possession, possibly to be used in the future. To this day Doug Valentino has yet to release any public statements regarding James Thompson or "Pistol Lullaby"."

"Aaron and Emma Worrell moved into the house on July 1st, 2013. By then James had taken the loss so hard that his addiction to alcohol had the Thompson's at an all time low. Julian began attending AA meetings with James, but that drove James to hiding his addiction to when Julian was at work."

At approximately 2:27 am on January 7th 2014, James and Julian Thompson broke into their old home, now occupied by Aaron and Emma Worrell, and were subsequently murdered."

"In both Aaron and Emma Worrell's initial police statements, they claimed that James Thompson had a weapon. When the police searched the residence, they found no weapons that belonged to James or Julian Thompson. Both the Worrell's changed their claim of an armed break in. The county attorney or Iowa City police declined to press charges for murder, but because they did not know the full facts of this surreal real life drama. Both the county attorney and Iowa City Police have declined to be interviewed about this case at this time."

"This video is not meant to downplay the illegal break in by the Thompson's but to inform the uninformed about the con that caused the both of their deaths. Our goal is to get the truth out to the public. On February 3rd 2014, the families of the Thompson's will bring a wrongful death lawsuit against Aaron Worrell."

"If you have any information regarding "Pistol Lullaby", Doug Valentino, or "Charles Anthony" please contact the family’s attorney, "Larry Bradfield"

After the video stops, Aaron waits for the impending call from Barry at any second. The seconds turn into minutes, and minutes turn into an hour, and Aaron cannot bear to wait a second longer.

Dialing Barry's number, Aaron fumbles the correct numbers, which makes him even more visibly upset. Connecting again with the same secretary Aaron gives her the same response after her greeting.

Aaron

"Barry York. Aaron Worrell. It's an emergency."

Secretary

"Of course. Please hold."

Barry answers immediately, already knowing Aaron would call him back.

Barry

"Hello AGAIN, Mr. Worrell. I take it this time you won't hang up?"

Aaron

"What's the plan?"

Barry

"The slanderous video? Give me two days. YouTube doesn't want to be involved in lawsuits. This is no problem."

Aaron(Completely relieved)

"Huh....Nice."

Barry

"Why do you think you pay me so much? Now you have 10 days. Take a day off. Relax for a minute. You are INNOCENT until proven guilty. Next time you see some crazy video accusing you, remember, we live in America! The truth WILL come out. And when it does, you can file a defamation of character suit."

Aaron

"Yes, everything can be solved by just suing someone."

Barry

"Sad to say, but yes, in today's world, that’s how big boy problems get solved. Aaron, I know you're stressed. Remember, I am on YOUR side. That's what you pay me for, remember? Now, turn off YouTube, cut back on the coffee, and get some sleep. I can tell you're in a dark place, that dark place has to be gone in 10 days. The court, and jurors need to see you as innocent and clean...not angry and talking about conspiracies."

Aaron

"Since when did you become my therapist?"

Barry

"The same time I took you as a client. You're paying for the whole host of services we provide. Go see some family, reconnect, do whatever it takes to get your mind off of this...for however long you can. I'm here to make sure you and Emma's life gets back on track."

Aaron

"Em keeps mentioning going to see friends..."

Barry

"Great! Do that!..."

Aaron

"...in Florida..."

Barry

"DON'T do that....Stay in Iowa..Leaving the state is what guilty people do when they think they have no other choice..."

Aaron (Waiting a second, the last sentence sets off red flags)

"Are you implying that Emma is guilty?"

There is a momentary pause, as Barry thinks about his response.

Barry

"No...no...But just to be safe...don't let her continue that kind of talk. Tell her, the minute the trial is over, you can visit whomever you like...WHEREVER she likes..."

Aaron and Barry silently process their conversation, wanting the other to speak first. Both men silently think about Emma and her role in this for the first time.

Aaron

"Ok....yeah...no problem..."

Another moment of silence, as now the conversation in their minds have now changed. Both men have a moment of wondering about Emma.

Barry

"Aaron?...I know this may be out of nowhere but...does Emma own any other computers...or phones?..."

Aaron

"NO!...I know where you're going with this...No, she does not!..."

Aaron refuses to accept thinking of Emma in a conspiracy light.

Aaron (Reacting quickly with anger)

"I don't appreciate paying for "your services" when they start accusing MY WIFE of something she didn't do!..."

Barry (Trying to get a word in)

"I'm sorry Aaron...I'm not meaning to..."

Aaron

"You didn't mean to what?!...AACUSE my wife of conspiracy?!..."

Barry

"No!...No!...Aaron, I'm not trying to accuse anybody of anything...I'm just wanting to cover all of the bases...just in case..."

Aaron (His anger drops with the words "just in case")

"What do you mean, "Just in case"?"

Barry (Slightly sighing, he continues)

"Just in case the prosecution wants to run with the conspiracy theory that Emma was "Charles Anthony"..."

Aaron's mouth drops open as he silently reacts to Barry actually saying the words out loud. Barry can tell by the silence, he's hit a nerve.

Barry

"Aaron...DON'T HANG UP!"

Aaron (Hastily with anger)

"Barry, I'm going to go now...Apparently I have a full day of searching for my wife's secret laptop and burn phone..."

Barry

"Aaron..."

Aaron (Not listening to Barry)

"....maybe her fake passport and other espionage equipment that are just laying around...you know?"

Barry (Trying to be patient)

"Aaron, I KNOW this is tough..."

Aaron

"Anything else I need to look for boss, or do I need to get ready for Emma's lawsuit next?!"

Barry

"...I'm VERY sorry to imply..."

Aaron

"Get that video pulled! TODAY!"

Aaron doesn't wait for Barry to respond before ending the call with anger.

Barry

"Aaron?.......Yep...Should have known."

Aaron storms around the house, wanting to throw his phone at a wall. Controlled by anger over Barry's slightest implication of Emma, he tries to refuse any thoughts of her guilt in all of this.

Aaron channel surfs for anything to get his mind off of the conversation with Barry, but just can't shake the question.

Aaron (To himself)

"What if...."

Aaron looks down the hallway, towards their old bedroom.

Date: Sunday, March 31st, 2013

Time: 11:45am

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City

James and Julian walk up to their front door, both realizing, for the LAST time. James pulls his key out, but stops, caught in a moment of depression. Julian calmly takes the keys and unlocks the door.

Julian steps back and looks to James as the front door swings open. Inside, the house is completely empty, minus a collage picture frame of James and Julian facing the front door.

James cannot look up into their house, knowing it’s completely empty, because of him.

Julian

"Baby, I know this is extremely painful, but it will be over soon. We just have to clean...and we'll be out of here..."

James

"I know...WHY do you think I don't want to do it?...I DON'T want to leave here....this is OUR home....I caused this!...All of it!"

Julian

"STOP!...Just stop beating yourself up, honey! You have to move ahead! YOU are the only one here that is mad at you..."

James

"You SHOULD be mad at me! I got played. Over and over. And now...I don't even know how we're going to pay for the lawyers. The film may NEVER get made! How much money got spent and nothing may come of it?!"

Julian

"Baby...the lawyer is on OUR side...not HIS. You HAVE to stop thinking this way! We will get through this."

James (Accepting Julian's advice reluctantly)

"I know....I know...it's just....SO HARD to accept that my "first film" cost us SO MUCH...and that fucker is hiding is hiding it!"

Julian

"Babe, fuck him! He WILL get what's coming to him! Remember you have all the legal bullshit on OUR side! If he wants to hide it, LET HIM! We will get EVERY DIME we put into it, and then some! We will buy a BETTER home...with that self-absorbed premadonna's own money! And if you want...we can hire a private investigator to find Charles Anthony...or WHOEVER it was that cost us this home...

James and Julian both look into the house together for the first time.

Julian

"...And we'll fuck up THEIR life as well!"

James looks to Julian, his confidence still in tatters, but accepts Julian' s strength and resolve to push forward.

Julian

"Now...grab the vacuum...I'll start in the kitchen. Let’s push to be out of here by 2:00. I don't want to be here too long...It would be just our luck that today the neighbors decide they want to be friendly to us because we're moving out."

James (Finally smiling for the first time in months)

"I love you so much."

Julian looks back and notices the smile on James face.

Julian

"I love that smile...Come here you...Have I told you how much I love to see you smile.

They embrace, and Julian kisses James as if he hadn't seen him in months.

Next door, a neighbor walks out of his garage and looks over at the couple kissing on their front steps. Muttering a profanity loud enough for them to hear, he is stopped cold by their collective response.

Still kissing on the steps, James and Julian silently flip off their neighbor together without stopping their lasting kiss. Both share a laugh at their act of careless defiance, as James's confidence slowly comes back to him.

Both look into the house, holding each other. Their eyes fall on the collage picture of them in the entryway.

Julian

"Come on solider...this house won't clean itself. Grab that picture...I don't want to forget to grab it."

Julian walks inside, holding the door for James.

James

"It's hard to look at it without feeling like shit."

Julian

"I'm not going to lie...this whole year is going to be hard. We WILL get any and all of those mother fuckers who took this from us...We're going to fight Doug...we're GOING to find Charles Anthony...and we're going to do it in a cramped little apartment....Because it's where YOU are going to write your next novel...and you will USE ALL of this in the next script. Well get rich..."habla, habla, habla"...and THEN well find a new beautiful home...preferably in some tropical paradise...and we WILL laugh at all the shit we went through to get there."

James

"You seem pretty confident."

Julian

"That's the plan young man. Don't like it? Don't care. It's happening. And it will only start once we finish this....now come on."

James looks Julian in the eyes and smiles as a tear runs down his face.

Julian

"I would spend eternity in purgatory with you if it meant us getting our revenge."

James finally hears enough to step threw the threshold of the house. Julian shuts the door behind him.

Date: Saturday, February 1st, 2014

Time: 4:30 pm

Location: Brenaman's Dog Groomers

Emma sets in front of Aaron's laptop, finally getting a moment’s break she begins catching up on her Facebook emails. Most of them are genuine, starting with the typical "I'm so sorry". Out of every five emails, there is one that is negative. Hundreds of emails, she breezes by like this. Scrolling down the page the negative emails stick out like sore thumbs.

"You KILLED those men!"

"Hope You Are Happy..."

"Enjoy the Home, Murderer!"

"You and Your Husband Deserve to Die!"

Emma tries her best not to let it affect her, but the further she scrolls, the more they add up. She deletes more and more, even moving on to deleting every private message she can see without checking its contents.

Not even caring what is deleted and what is not, she carelessly wipes her inbox clean, until she comes across one from two days after the break-in. Her heart stops reading the title, "I KNOW WHAT YOU DID TO THEM!"

She stares at the email, not wanting to open it.

Customer

"It's so GREAT to have you back Me!...I missed having you take care of my little babies!"

Emma feigns a smile and politely takes care of her customer, as she slyly closes the laptop without the customer noticing.

"Oh Emma, it's so great to have you back!"

Hearing conversations start the same way all day, she has to force a smile harder and harder until her last client of the day.

All day long, she can't get the email out of her head. Anytime a coworker neared the laptop, Emma would watch with untrusting eyes.

Becoming the Internet celebrity over the last couple of weeks has greatly diminished her regular customers, and decreased her hours. Putting on a brave face and playing the innocent victim hasn't appeased her bosses, as they have felt the wrath of an uninformed public.

Looking across the room she is startled by hearing her name called.

"Emma?"

She looks up, almost waking up from her thoughts. Her boss, Michelle stands in her office doorway. Her look is serious, and causes Emma to get up without hesitation.

Michelle

"Can we...talk?"

Emma

"Sure! Give me just a second to clean up my mess.

Michelle doesn't wait for a response, and ducks back into her office. Emma notices, but tries her best to ignore it as she finishes up.

Coming in the office, Emma sees Michelle behind her desk. The tone of her posture sets off bells in Emma's mind, but she knocks anyway.

Michelle (Without looking up.)

"Come on in. Close the door."

Emma immediately realizes what she has walked into, but before she can offer some resistance Michelle cuts to the point.

Michelle

"Emma, we need to talk..."

Emma

"Ooooo-kay.....If this is about the time off, I will work extra..."

Michelle

"I'm sorry Me."

The two share an uncomfortable silence as Emma expects Michelle to continue, but when she stops and the silence takes over Emma knows the decision has already been made.

Michelle

"I'm sorry to be the one who has to do this Emma, but we have to let you go. This wasn't my choice and..."

Emma

"Wait. You don't have to do this. Aaron and I did NOTHING wrong...we just woke up and were being attacked....WHY are you punishing us for that?!"

Michelle

"Emma...I'm SO sorry. It's out of my hands....I don't know what to say. I REALLY wish there was something I could do..."

Emma

"What do you mean "you wish there was something you could do?!" How about NOT firing me on the FIRST DAY I come back?! How about MAYBE if you KNEW this was going to happen...how about CALLING ME AHEAD OF TIME INSTEAD OF HUMILIATING ME LIKE THIS!?!"

Michelle

"I'm so sorry...please keep your voice down..."

Emma

"WHY?!...So EVERYONE can't HEAR ME GETTING FIRED?!...."

Michelle sets upright at her desk, adjusting her posture as she knows Emma has every right to be more than upset.

Emma

"WHY?!...Why put me through this?!....Why after five years couldn't you even give me the dignity to go out with the same professionalism I brought EVERY DAY to work?!"

Michelle

"Emma...I can't even begin to apologize..."

Emma

"There IS NO apology for what YOU DID!"

Michelle (Trying to defend the company's position)

"Emma, I had NOTHING to do with their decision...In the last two weeks we've lost a lot of regular customers....we're getting emails every day..."

Emma

"That's all you...THEY care about?!..."

Michelle

"I'm so sorry Me."

Emma

"Yeah...keep repeating that...maybe ONE of us will begin to believe it.."

Emma gets up without needing to hear anymore.

Michelle

"They're offering a nice severance package...all you have to do is sign..."

Emma comes back to face her boss, this time the anger gives her confidence.

Emma (Grabs a pen and signs the paper already facing her)

"Yes...because THAT will help OH SO MUCH with the lawsuit...and our house payment...Next time you see "THEM" tell them I said THANKS for FIRING me so PROFESSIONALLY before our lawsuit!...."

Emma turns away from Michelle, tossing her pen across the room.

Emma (Walking out of Michelle's office)

"Since you're so good at taking orders...fetch!"

Emma grabs her things without acknowledging her co-workers or their questions. Lastly she makes sure to grab Aaron's laptop. Her co-workers try to stop her for an explanation but she pushes past, feeling the onset of a panic attack.

Emma walks out the door for what she realizes is the last time, she begins to hyperventilate. Rushing to her car, she dumps everything in the passenger seat and begins sobbing uncontrollably.

All of it hits her at once; now both she and Aaron are jobless, they have a house payment to still deal with, and a lawsuit to pay for and worry about. She knows no one will hire either of them and it makes the tears pour out.

After a minute of letting it all out, Emma reaches for her tissues in the glove box. Her hand falls upon an unfamiliar picture covering the tissue box.

Pulling it out and turning it over, she remembers leaving it there shortly after getting it developed. Turning it over, she wipes her eyes and takes in the first picture of her and Aaron in their new home. Both look so happy in it, it breaks her sadness seeing it again.

She focuses on their faces, and the genuine happiness the picture represents. It's the only thing that she knows will give her the strength to face Aaron with the truth.

Emma gains some of her confidence back holding it close to her. Drying her eyes, she composes herself in the vanity mirror. Taking another long look at the picture, Emma places it carefully in the overhead visor.

Placing it so every time the visor is opened, she can see they're smiling happy face, she can go back to that moment any time she needs. She looks at Aaron, never wanting to hurt him she remembers her Facebook account is still logged into her account.

Emma gets the laptop out and open. Pulling up her account, she checks her inbox for the email that caught stopped her dead in her tracks. Searching without avail, the mysterious email that struck at her core has now vanished without a trace.

Emma searches her account but cannot find a trace of it anywhere. Setting in the idling car, Emma is thorough and checks each and every deleted email twice.

After 15 minutes of a fruitless search, Emma notices her old co-workers are watching her from inside. She rushes her search, not giving up an email she KNEW she saw, but now cannot find.

In her mind she tries to remember seeing if anyone came close to the laptop, but in her panic she can't trust her rushed judgment.

Feeling eyes on her she looks up again. Coming out of the store a couple of her ex co-workers are making their way out to talk to her. She knows they all are concerned for her and Aaron, but in this moment she can't be around them.

"Emma slow down....Talk to us...."

"What happened in there?"

"What did Michelle say to you Em?"

Emma doesn't even hear their questions against her driver's side window, as she closes the account and puts the laptop into sleep mode. Not offering any kind of response, or even acknowledging them, Emma puts the car in reverse and backs away. Hearing their pleas for her to talk to them, only refreshes her pain.

"Me don't leave this way...Come on...Talk to us..."

"Me come back!"

Emma can't even look at them as she pulls onto the street. Knowing this will be the last time she will see most of them she can't stand the thought of them seeing her this way. Emma pulls away in a hurry, not wanting them to see tears openly running down her face.

Date: May 6th, 2013

Time: 12:15 am

Location: 740 1/2 Sunset street, Iowa City

Aaron and Emma set together watching the last minutes of their favorite program on Netflix. Both are past their bed times, but both are focused on finishing the show.

Aaron's phone vibrates to life and he passively moves to see who is contacting him this late. Emma doesn't take her eyes from the television.

Aaron (Looking at his phone in disbelief)

"Wow...."

Emma (Still looking at the television)

"What babe?"

Aaron

"That home...."our" home...were foreclosing on it...."Higgins" wants the paperwork first thing in the morning."

Emma

"So....what does that mean exactly?"

Aaron gets up, putting on his shoes as he speaks.

Aaron

"It MEANS we have a CHANCE again!"

Emma

"DO NOT mess with me on this! Are you serious?!"

Aaron (Smiling broadly)

"No joke. I'm going to go to the office now, and get everything ready...."

Emma

"NOW?!..."

Aaron

"Do you want to be the first to put a offer in?....Or do you want someone else to?"

Emma (Reacting like a excited child on Christmas.)

"NO!....GET THERE!....NOW!....CAN you put an offer in now?!"

Aaron (Smiling at her excitement)

"Hah-hah...Not yet....but I WILL make sure we're the first offer they see."

Aaron grabs his jacket and fishes the keys out of the pocket. Swinging it over his shoulders, he fishes his arms through the sleeves. They're eyes meet with a perfect moment of joy that neither can believe is really happening.

Emma

"I CAN'T believe this!...Why now?....Why so late?..."

Aaron

"Don't know. Don't care. Higgins knows how badly you wanted that house. I'm sure it's his way of saying thanks."

Emma

"You ARE his best employee...."

Aaron (Mentally is already at the bank)

"Alright. It will take me 20 minutes tops to pull the records and print off everything. I'm going to pull our records and have them ready as well. I'm SURE that's what the text was getting at...ok...I'll be back in a bit..."

Aaron comes back over and kisses Emma.

Aaron

"...I can't believe how lucky we are!....I mean I had all but given up on it...I mean that was only a couple of months....I wonder what happened to them that they lost it so quickly..."

Emma

"Oh well, right?"

Aaron

"I love you so much....I'll be right back."

Emma

"Love you."

Aaron and Emma share a moment of exuberance before Aaron disappears down the steps and into the night.

Emma looks from the television then back to where Aaron just was. Her tone and demeanor change as soon as she hears the front door close.

-(CUT TO)-

The camera catches a set of hands in front of a laptop. On its screen all the details, and information regarding "Charles Anthony" are being deleted. His LinkedIn account. His Facebook page. Finally, his email.

Before the account is deleted, one last new email from James is in the inbox. A smile creeps across the unseen face, as it reads the desperation in his email.

Convinced the “mission" is accomplished they feel nothing but satisfaction deleting "Charles Anthony" from existence.

With the mission completed, the laptop is shut down. A hand reaches over and grabs a hammer from the wall.

Tucked away in a apartment buildings basement, they are alone and off the map from society. They can hear heavy metal music coming from above, a child screaming from two stories up.

This secret lair is dirty, dingy and a place no one dare venture in quite some time. Years before, this basement must have been some maintenance man's office, now it looks like a scene from a horror movie.

The laptop is placed next to a cheap cell phone on a long workbench. A foot away, a small black box is placed on the bench. The hands cover themselves in black leather gloves, then grab the hammer.

Waiting for more noise from above, furry is unleashed upon the laptop and cell phone. The hammer smashes both over and over with no mercy.

Explosions of plastic and metal, as the inanimate objects are smashed into nothing more than broken pieces.

From behind the person is unclear, but seems to come alive with each strike. Adrenaline courses threw their veins with a primal urge of hard fought victory. Each strike they imagine James and Julian stealing THEIR house.

They imagines them having posh dinner parties. Imagines them having barbecues with THEIR neighbors. Imagines them FUCKING in THEIR bedroom.

Each blow grows stronger, and more determined to smash the laptop and phone into nothing more but dust, just like James and Julian.

No pity, they think of how THEY have suffered in this cramped, shitty little apartment, surrounded by wetbacks, white trash, and single mothers. They think how James and Julian sleep endless peaceful nights, tucked away in the safety and serenity of THEIR home.

The breathing hard and nearing its limit, the figure breaks from the destruction, to marvel in it. Nothing remains but the small black box, and fragments of their crime.

Realizing for the first time that it is a criminal, the figure doesn't care. It has been living in this cramped apartment building with these "people" and all their shitty little lives for way too long.

Looking around in a evil triumphant gaze, her eyes land on herself in dusty old mirror. Emma can't take her eyes off of herself or the animal looking back.

Confident. Powerful. Not terrified or ashamed, SHE is in charge of her own destiny. THIS was justified. Her hell, will be soon wiped clean. And her house, will be soon back on the market.

Emma doesn't take her eyes from her own, as she grabs the mysterious black box.

Emma

"Any last words Charles Anthony?"

Emma takes the black box to her mouth, and responds in a completely different voice, that of which sounds like an African American male.

Emma (As Charles Anthony)

"That's a wrap."

Emma puts the voice changer on the bench, and smashes it with the hammer.

Date: Sunday, February 2nd, 2014

Time: 6:30 am

Location: 1808 Gleason Ave, Iowa City Iowa

Emma

"Open those eyes handsome."

Aaron slowly opens his eyes. Emma is over him in the early morning light. Emma smiles over him before leaning in and kissing him.

Aaron

"What time is it crazy lady?"

Emma

"Too early..."

Emma grabs a cup of coffee from the window ledge, and hands it to Aaron.

Emma

"Here, drink this and wake up..."

Aaron sets up on the bed and takes a drink.

Aaron

"WHY so early?"

Emma

"...Because we have a big day today.."

Aaron

"We do?...Sunday?...What are you talking about?"

Emma walks around the bed, smiling.

Emma

"It's a surprise...Now get dressed. I figured we...you more importantly need this."

Emma leaves the room, looking back at Aaron with a coy smile.

Aaron (Calling after her)

"Needed WHAT?"

Aaron slowly gets up, and gets dressed confused but interested none the less. He grabs his coffee and heads to the sound of Emma in the kitchen. Aaron walks by their old bedroom, giving the closed door just a moment’s glance as he continues down the hall

Aaron comes into the kitchen as the toaster pops up two slices of toast. Emma turns handing him a plate with two slices already buttered, along with a quick smile and a fast kiss. Aaron thrown back, reluctantly takes both.

Emma

"You should eat first before we go."

Aaron (Has toast to mouth, but stops)

"Go?.....Go where?"

Emma (Looks at Aaron mischievously)

"EAT the toast I ruffied...so I can steal you away a couple of days..."

Aaron stops eating, looking at Emma with caution.

Aaron (Sighing)

"What are you talking about Me?....I..WE can't go anywhere."

Emma ignores his protest as she butters her toast. She spins, butter knife in hand. Wiping a small glob on Aaron's nose. Aaron wipes away fast, slightly annoyed.

Emma

"We have a week. NOTHING is going to happen. We will be gone four days...tops..."

Aaron silently protests. The stress has left him unable to "relax" or even smile.

Aaron

"Are you kidding me?!...Me' what are you thinking?...Us taking off out of the state will make us looks as if we're running...I'm not taking any chances..."

Emma

"NOTHING will happen...NO ONE will know we're gone...and beside we'll be back with plenty of time to spare..."

Aaron

"You're NOT hearing me!..."

Emma

"No!...Aaron, I'm NOT LISTENING to you!...We ARE leaving for a couple of days...We ARE going to see Melissa and Jason...aaaannd YOU can always TRY and work Jason's dad AFTER the lawsuit is over..."

Aaron stops all together, not wanting to hear anymore.

Aaron

"Stop!...Stop!...Stop!!....We have NO IDEA how the lawsuit is going to go...or how long it's going to take....OR COST!....And since WHEN are we considering moving to Florida?!"

Emma

"Aaron..we NEED a change...We CAN'T live here anymore. Is it normal to NOT sleep in the master bedroom of the house you own?"

Aaron

"Oh so just pack up and leave!?...Really?...What about our families?"

Emma

"I'm sure they will understand Aaron. With all the shit we've lived threw..."

Aaron

"What about the house?!...What about ALL OUR MOUNTING BILLS?!"

Emma

"Calm DOWN!...We can go visit...I'm SURE it won't be a problem...they LOVE you! They have wanted us down there for..like...ever...Bring a copy of your resume...AND some nice clothes...in case they interview you while.."

Aaron

"NO ONE will hire me right now! NO ONE! I'm toxic! I'm facing a possible MAN-SLAUGHTER CHARGE!....NO ONE will waste five minutes on me!..."

Aaron realizes just how bad off he is by his current situation, and is mentally far off from Emma.

Aaron

"It's like it's ME!...Like I'M jinxed in this life and I'm paying for being a horrible person in a previous life!...What did I DO to DESERVE this?!...Me, I'm serious...there's been a couple nights...I just wanted to go to sleep..and not wake up..."

Emma is visibly hurt by hearing this, but stays silent, letting Aaron vent all his mounting frustrations out on her. She holds her coffee close, as some sort of comfort against his tone.

Aaron

"I'm sorry to tell you like this. But we're a week away from me going to court, and having our lives thrown out there for the whole world to see!...I can't...I can't do this anymore...I don't want to deal with this shit...I can't go through this crap anymore..."

Emma (Not able to hold her tongue any longer)

"Aaron, you have a great life. WE have a great life. WE will get through this. I promise. We're going to be ok!..."

Aaron shaking his head, as if Emma just isn't hearing what he's saying.

Aaron

"Yeah, yeah, yeah! I'm DONE hearing that shit!...I'm DONE believing in anything "greater"!...There is nothing but emptiness inside of me!...Can't you see that?!...

Emma is slightly frightened by the dark side of her husband, as it comes pouring out of him.

Aaron

"...Haven't you noticed the change in me?...We are seven days away from a lawsuit that could take EVERYTHING we have!...Oh and by the way NEITHER OF US HAVE JOBS!.. So NO, it WON'T be "ok"!"

Emma

"Hey, you KNOW you did NOTHING wrong! How COULD you have known he didn't have a weapon?!...THEY broke into OUR home!...Regardless IF they USED to own OUR home!"

Aaron (Interrupting)

"That's what you WANT me to go in there thinking!...Who knows what the fucking jury is going to decide?!...Can you PROMISE me they're going to side with us?!"

Aaron looks to Emma slightly crazed, and not interested in waiting for her reply.

Aaron

"...Didn't think so. YOU have NO IDEA of the shit and stress is doing to me! You are just "Mrs. Privileged"!"

Emma looks shocked and hurt by Aaron's lashing out.

Aaron

"That's right! Going on TV! "Defending" me like I'M somehow guilty of what happened to them!"

Emma

"I DEFENDED you ONLY BECAUSE people in the media were trying to somehow connect YOU to what happened to them!"

Aaron

"FUCK the local media! LET them think whatever they want! WHY would that matter to us?' WE are innocent, and we have NOTHING to fear by that stupid fucking conspiracy theory...that has NOTHING to do with us!"

All of Aaron's anger has soaked up all the energy in the room. Aaron controls the situation as Emma is unable to find the words to bring Aaron back from the brink.

Aaron walks over to the upstairs landing, his 8 mile stare lands to the area to where James landed. James's ghost lies looking directly back at Aaron. Without fear, Aaron stares back down at James with anger.

Emma looks down the hall toward their old bedroom from her comfy chair. Mysteriously, the door is ajar, and she can see half a face staring at her. Emma is locked staring into Julian's penetrating eyes.

Aaron

"Tell me Emma. What are we going to do?.."

Emma is listening, but watches in horror as the bedroom door slowly creeps open.

Aaron

"How are we going to get past...all of this? How are we going to LIVE here? Going through...all of it?"

Emma sets behind Aaron, shaking her head no as she sees the form of Julian slowly come out of the bedroom. Covered in blood, he drips from all over his body. He smears a blood streak as he uses his hand as a support walking towards Emma. His prescience triggers the hall light to burn out. Emma is terrified seeing this, as Aaron seemingly doesn't notice.

Inside Aaron's head, he runs through the different scenarios of their direct future. His mind keeps repeating a double suicide. Any and all demented forms they could do tonight. Now even.

Aaron

"...I mean what else do we have to live for?... What if this life was just a payback for a previous life?..."

Emma wants to tell Aaron "no" but her rationale is taken over by the fear of seeing Julian's ghost limp down the hallway towards Aaron. His eyes wide and fixed on Emma, as his mouth hangs open.

Aaron

"..What if we were SUPPOSED to die that night?...And all of this...this is punishment for the wrongful survivors?!...What if this is all just some sick fucking game?!... A sick fucking simulation from the matrix gods?!"

Julian's eyes are wide as his left arm raises and he grabs the corner of the hallway closest to Aaron. His eyes dart from Emma to Aaron's direction as Aaron continues to speak.

Aaron

"Would you leave me if I told you I feel empty?...That I feel like I have nothing to live for?..."

Emma is on the verge of screaming out as Julian's ghost is just inches away from Aaron's blindside. His stare comes back to Emma, as his outstretched right arm points directly at her. His mouth lips the words distinct and unmistakable. "You."

Aaron

"..I don't know how but...I caused all of this."

Julian's wide eyed stare goes to rage as he looks to attack Aaron. Emma cannot contain herself as she breaks the silence by unleashing her horrible nightmare.

Emma

".....It was me."

Julian immediately disappears as Aaron takes a second to soak up those three little words. Aaron notices James has disappeared, as her words seem more important. Aaron slowly turns around to face Emma.

Aaron

"What do you mean, it was you?!....WHAT was you?!..."

Emma

"Charles Anthony....I "MADE" him up. I caused....ALL of this..."

Aaron shakes his head not wanting to accept this horrible truth.

Aaron

"What?!....How COULD you do that?!...To a complete stranger?!..."

Emma

"What do YOU mean "How could I do that?!" Those "queens" STOLE our house!...OUR house! I did what was RIGHT! For us!.."

Aaron shakes his head in confusion, not understanding WHO she is right now.

Emma

"...You KNOW how MUCH I wanted this home!..We fought SO HARD for it...offered MORE...We did everything we were supposed to do...We paid our taxes...we worked our way up to be able to afford it...It's not fair that someone can have rich parents who just throw money at their problems!..."

Aaron looks at her as if she is some kind of camouflaged monster, unable to fully comprehend what she has done.

Emma (Slightly scared to finish her defense)

"...You can't blame me for what happened...it's not like I knew things would turn out this way..."

Aaron shakes his head, this time with more anger. Realizing everything her actions have done, his anger becomes uncontrolled. Aaron launches their TV off of the entertainment center and down to the basement landing. Emma jumps back terrified from the explosion.

Aaron

"I CAN'T BLAME YOU?!...I CAN'T BLAME YOU?!"

Aaron continues his rampage, grabbing the ottoman and throwing it across the room. Aaron flips over the table, and chairs; destroying them in the process.

Emma moves further away from Aaron, scared of the unleashed animal.

Aaron

"I CAN'T BLAME YOU FOR RUINING THEIR LIVES?!..."

Aaron begins destroying appliances in their kitchen.

Aaron

"I CAN'T BLAME YOU FOR RUINING OUR LIVES?!"

Aaron moves from the kitchen, down the hallway towards their room. As he disappears, Emma runs over to the kitchen, instinctively she grabs a large kitchen knife. Emma slowly eyes the destruction from the edge of the kitchen terrified.

Aaron flips their bed. Knocks over their pictures, night stands. Laughing and crying Aaron looks into his office. All of his childhood possessions adorn the walls. Seeing his past childhood collectibles, Aaron begins ripping the room apart. Growling like a wild animal, Aaron rips his baseball cards and comic books from the walls. Flips his desk on its side.

Emma eyes the front door and decides to make her move for it and leave. Taking two steps she is stopped in her tracks as Aaron comes out of his office. Aaron's figure looms in the darkened hallway like an evil disfigured monster.

Aaron's head tilts slightly, as he sees Emma holding the knife away from his view.

Aaron

"Really?"

Emma

"Aaron...we can just GO!...Let’s just LEAVE and go somewhere FAR AWAY from here!...Just like we always talked about...We can go to Florida, and start over!..."

Emma tries in vain to hide her terror, but Aaron is in the moment of uncontrolled anger. His thoughts and emotions are ragged, on the brink between sanity and destruction.

Aaron

"We CAN'T just LEAVE!...We don't live in a time that shit can happen!...They can track us...they can and WILL find us!...It will make me look even MORE guilty!"

Emma

"Aaron, you're scaring me....We can...we can figure this out...We just need some...some..."

Aaron

"Some WHAT?!...Some TIME?!...That is exactly what we don't have....along with MONEY!....Along with ANY FRIENDS that could or WOULD help us!...Tell me...what do "we" need with the knife you're holding?..."

Emma and Aaron are held in the moment, neither moves as they both wait for the other to react. Emma is too terrified to move an inch, not knowing what Aaron is capable of in this moment.

Emma

"Aaron...I...I...I don't know what you want me to do....What can I say?...What can I do to fix...all of this?"

Her question echoes down the hallway without a response. Aaron eyes are crazed, but his breathing is slow and calm. His response is slow and steady.

Aaron

"There is nothing we CAN fix. We are past that now..."

Emma is scared by his response, and looks for a different direction to the conversation.

Emma

"Aaron...baby...I'm scared...I love you....I love you...What...what do we do?"

Aaron

"We?...There is NOTHING "WE" can do now..."

Aaron takes a slow step towards Emma, never taking his eyes from hers. Emma notices his slow deliberate movement towards her, and tries to hold her ground.

Emma

"Aaron....stay back....stay back...don't make...don't come any closer!"

Aaron slows his movement, still inching towards her. His eyes, still wild, still looking directly in hers.

Aaron

"What?!....YOU are scared of ME?!...You're scared I'M going to do something!?....Maybe YOU should look in the mirror!...YOU are the ONLY monster here!...YOU are the cause of ALL of this!"

Aaron takes another defensive slow small step towards Emma.

Emma

"Aaron, I'm so sorry!...I..I...I don't know what to say!....We can get through this...we just have to stick together..."

Aaron

"Stick together?!....There is NOTHING for us to stick to!...We have NOTHING now!...And in a week’s time, I will be on trial for my life...BECAUSE OF YOU!"

Emma is on edge, knowing the next seconds will change everything. She grips the knife for reassurance. Aaron takes another small step, now just a foot away from her.

Aaron holds his intense stare on her, as time seemingly stops.

Aaron

"...THIS is ALL because of YOU!"

In a flash, Aaron lunges towards Emma. Startled Emma brings the knife up to protect herself. The defensive movement added with Aaron's trajectory causes Emma to plunge the knife into his stomach.

Emma shrieks reacting to the feeling of the knife penetrating the man she loves. Aaron is shocked by the pain, of actually being stabbed. He snatches the knife out of her hands as they begin to wrestle at the top of the stairs.

Aaron has Emma by the throat with his right hand, his left pulls the knife slowly out of his stomach. Emma is petrified at his grip, as she struggles to free herself.

In a split second, Emma's fear causes her to knee Aaron in the groin for freedom. A direct hit, loosens his grip on her throat. Emma moves to get away, but in the struggling, Aaron grasps at anything he can to keep her close. His right hand grabs a handful of her hair.

Emma screams out in terror. Aaron struggles in pain, as the knife jabs him again. The pain forces Aaron to react without thinking.

In a split second Aaron spins and releases Emma from his grip. The movement launches Emma down the stairs uncontrollably. Aaron catches a glimpse of Emma falling sideways down the steps as he pulls the knife out of his stomach.

In a chaotic second, the sound of her neck snapping stops everything. Aaron knows immediately, and rushes to Emma's body to try and will her back to life.

Aaron

"EMMA!....No!...No!....No!....Not like this!....Me..."

Aaron reaches her crumpled body, turning her over, her eyes stare ahead. Her mouth hangs slightly open. Her body is motionless and unresponsive to his pleas.

Aaron

"Emma no!....Wake up baby!...Wake up!...Don't do this to me!...We can fix this...I can fix this!....Just don't leave me!....Not yet...stay with me!..."

Emma's head rolls in his hand as he pleads with her. Her body has no sign of life as Aaron tries to shake her to respond.

Aaron

"EMMA!...You CAN'T do this to me!...Stay with me!....Emma!...Emma!...."

After a couple of seconds, Aaron realizes all is lost, as Emma's eyes stare past him to the ceiling. Aaron falls back to his ass, as he becomes overwhelmed by the reality he has just caused.

Aaron

"No!...No!....God Dammit NO!..."

After a moment of letting it all sink in, Aaron realizes he is trapped. Locked away from reality, inside their dream home, his life has become a walled off nightmare. He knows everything in his life is now over as he has went over the edge with no chance of regaining it back.

Aaron looks around, taking in each view one last time, he looks at their pictures mounted all over the entry way. Their wedding. Their family portrait. All the random pictures of them with their friends covering the walls. All moments of happiness. All those moments Aaron knows he will never get to live again.

Aaron staggers up to his feet. His head is away from his body, as he mentally goes around the house. Desperately trying to grasp at some reason to not take his next step. His mind comes back to him, as he stands over Emma's still body.

Looking down, he swallows hard, seeing her body unmoving, and the fear and panic takes hold again. Aaron rushes upstairs to the window, making sure none of his neighbors are close.

The neighborhood is still, and darkened. A typical Sunday morning, the street sets empty, covered in a fresh layer of snow. Aaron looks like a crack head, peeking out the window, his eyes wild as he anticipates hearing police sirens. What would be an honest welcomed escape from this nightmare scenario, Aaron is filled with disappointment, as the only sirens he hears are imaginary.

Accepting his fate, Aaron has nothing left. Emma lies cold in front of him. Oscar, their dog, now buried in the back yard. Both their parents have had their lives turned upside down by this event. Inside his head, he knows he has little left to invest his life into now.

The bills, the lawsuit, all the dramas of their everyday life now seem so distant that to even think about them would be to somehow dishonor this reality. Aaron cannot find any words to buffer himself from the depths of this.

Aaron looks down to Emma's body, and closes her eyes. Squatting, Aaron grabs Emma and lifts her gently in his arms. Pain shoots up throughout his entire body as blood drains out of his two open wounds. Grimacing and ignoring it as best he can, Aaron lifts her, holding her in his arms he begins the descent down the stairs.

Taking slow steps due to the pain, he makes sure to carefully walk her out to the garage. Opening the passenger door to their car, he sets her in the passenger seat. Adjusting the seat back, Emma looks as if she could be sleeping.

Aaron notices their bags packed in the backseat for the first time, and looks back to Emma. No more resentment, he can only offer a moment’s look and he closes the door. Walking around the car, Aaron fishes the car keys out of his pocket.

As he opens the door, Aaron looks from Emma to a picture hung in the visor. Getting in the car, Aaron pulls it free. It was from the day they bought the house. They both looked SO happy celebrating one of life's monumental achievements.

Looking at it as if he had somehow traveled to some bizarre punishment world for his past sins, THIS picture seems like the final cruel piece he must endure. Such a lifetime of misery ago.

Both his eyes well up with tears, but Aaron refuses to break into sobs. Even in his final moments. Instead, he looks to Emma, and touches her face. Almost wanting it to wake her. He knows the only thing left to do is put the key in the ignition and turn it over.

Aaron takes his last deep breath of clean air, before turning the car on. Taking one last look at Emma, Aaron looks to the picture one last time before closing his eyes.

With a tear running down his face, the happy memory of who they were on that day makes a smile cross his face. Resting his head back, Aaron gives up to the oblivion by closing his eyes and accepts his fate.

(Fade to black.)

-CREDITS-

Final-Final Scene (After Credits)

A random realtor is showing the house to a young couple. They are finishing up, and leaving just as another realtor arrives with another young couple. Both couples eye each other silently, as the two realtors make uneasy conversation.

As the first couple is getting in their car, the wife looks from the beautiful house then to her husband.

Wife (Motivated and eagerly)

"This house IS OUR HOUSE...."

Inside the house, the second couple looks at each other knowing they have already decided.

Husband (To realtor, smiling uncontrollably)

"We've already decided...We want to put in a offer today...now even."

The realtor's smile is huge as he joins in their happiness, getting his folder and pen ready. The wife goes to the bay window, looking down at the couple leaving.

Inside the car, the first couple is backing out of the driveway. The two women make eye contact, and hold it.

Wife (Looking at house, enchanted then turns to evil)

"THIS is OUR home....I would do ANYTHING for it."

THE END.

Music Score:

Gary Jules "Mad World"

Pearl Jam "Nothing As It Seems"