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FICKLE

INT. OLYMPIC COMPETITION ARENA - NIGHT

 

A packed arena buzzes with anticipation. Flags wave, cameras flash. Olympic signs everywhere. 

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EMMA REEVES (27), lithe and determined, approaches the mat. She raises her arms. 

 

A blur of motion - flips, twists, turns. The crowd gasps at her aerial prowess. Emma flies towards her landing. Time slows. Her eyes widen. She's off by inches. THUD. 

 

She crumples, fails her landing, clutches her back in pain. Silence. Disappointment etches across the crowd.

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MATCH CUT TO:

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INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - BEDROOM - DAY

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Messy bedroom. Emma, wearing a worn out T-shirt and shorts, lies on her bed. She looks at her phone in melancholy. On the screen, YouTube plays her failed landing on loop. 

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A KNOCK at the door. Emma frowns, pauses the video.

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LIVING ROOM

 

Emma opens the door. A PLUMBER (30s), tall, scruffy, in utility uniform, flashes a badge.  Emma hesitates, then nods, stepping aside.

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KITCHEN

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Plumber inspects the kitchen sink. His eyes dart to Emma's bare legs as she leans against the counter.

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Emma shifts uncomfortably. Then retreats out of sight back into her bedroom, not wanting to be gawked at. 

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Plumber's eyes narrow, calculating.

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BEDROOM

 

Emma replays the video of her failed landing. Lost in self-loathing. 

 

 

LIVING ROOM

 

CLOSE ON THE DOOR LOCK - The plumber JAMS the lock on the front door with a WRENCH. The latch falls from the lock and clatters to the floor.

 

 

BEDROOM

 

Emma jumps up from the sound, pockets her phone. Walks slowly towards the door, and opens it... 

 

...Plumber LUNGES at her. Emma SLAMS the door shut, but his foot wedges in.

 

Emma walks back in fear as Plumber bursts in with a grin, opens his hands wide, charges to grab her.

 

She backflips in the last second, he falls to the ground. She springs past him, a blur of gymnastic precision.

 

 

LIVING ROOM

 

Emma runs to the front door, jiggles the handle - it's gone. Panic rises. Plumber comes out of the bedroom, on her trail. 

 

She eyes a shelf with a lot of GYMNASTIC TROPHIES from her past achievements.

 

She grabs a golden trophy, throws it. Plumber ducks.

 

Another trophy - WHOOSH - knocks his hat off. But he strides forward.

 

A framed photo of Emma winning a medal. She hesitates, then throws it.

 

SMASH! Pierces into Plumber's face. He staggers.

 

Emma bolts for the bathroom behind the plumber. Plumber's hand snakes out, grabs her wrist violently at the last moment.

 

She screams, pulls back but he is way stronger.

 

With a quick motion she twists and sets her self free as her phone CLATTERS to the floor.

 

She dives into the bathroom.

 

 

BATHROOM

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Emma locks the door, hands shaking. Plumber POUNDS from outside.

 

She eyes the tiny window, shouts outside for help. 

 

The city buzzes indifferently below.

 

 

LIVING ROOM

 

Plumber gets working on the bathroom lock with his tools.

 

 

BATHROOM

 

She looks around desperately, catches her own reflection.

 

A photo on the mirror shows her younger self in gymnastic suit, arm raised, pointing upward triumphantly.

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Determination hardens her face.

 

 

LIVING ROOM

 

Plumber twists the wrench, the latch falls. The door splinters open. He bursts in.

​

 

BATHROOM

 

Emma's gone. Plumber, confused.

 

He checks behind the door, the shower curtain. Nothing.

 

He glances at the mirror, sees the photo of the girl pointing upwards.

 

Realization dawns as he slowly looks up.

 

Emma, coiled like a spring, drops from the ceiling.

 

WHAM! Plumber crumples, his head hits the sink.

 

 

LIVING ROOM

 

Emma vaults over Plumber's prone form.

 

Launches into a dazzling routine - flips, twists, a cathartic release.

 

MATCH CUT TO:

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INT. OLYMPIC GYMNASIUM - DAY

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Packed olympic arena from the first scene, Emma completes the same routine but this time... 

 

...PERFECT LANDING.

 

The crowd ROARS. Judges nod approvingly. 

 

Emma screams in triumph, arm raised high--

 

MATCH CUT TO:

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INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - LIVING ROOM - NIGHT

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Emma's arm, still raised, clutches a bloody wrench.

 

It arcs down with sickening force on the plumber. THUD.

 

Blood splatters Emma's face, mixing with sweat. She stands, panting.

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Around her neck gleams a gold medal, emblazoned with the number one.

 

FADE TO BLACK.

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