THE WAKE UP CALL
FADE UP: EXT. ECHO PARK-MORNING
The sun rises above a RUSTIC COUNTRY CABIN atop a tree-lined hill. Behind it, the skyline of LOS ANGELES is revealed in the morning light.
CUT TO: INT. CABIN-MORNING
The ACTOR’S home, littered with scripts, plays and unfinished work. MOVIE POSTERS hang on the walls along with SNAP-SHOTS of the ACTOR at work.
The ACTOR is in bed.
CAMERA TRACKS in on the ACTOR, sleeping peacefully, a grin on his face.
CUT TO:
EXT. BEACH-DAY
The ACTOR lies on the beach with a BEAUTIFUL BLONDE in a torrid embrace ala “FROM HERE TO ETERNITY”. A WAVE rushed in and splashes over them.
The sound of APPLAUSE.
CUT TO:
INT. CABIN-MORNING
CLOSE-UP: The ACTOR’S face, in bed.
A LOUD KNOCK AT THE DOOR. The ACTOR doesn’t wake up.
Another KNOCK, then…. The sound of WOOD SPLINTERING.
CUT TO:
INT. CABIN-MORNING
The two SKYDIVERS, now wearing hats and trench coats enter the bedroom area. They look sinister, professional, men on a mission.
SKYDIVER 1 comes to the bed and kneels next to the ACTOR. He raises the ACTOR’S eyelids, looks to his partner and shakes his head. He slaps the ACTOR on the cheek.
SKYDIVER 1
Wake up Mr. Big Shot.
The ACTOR comes to, albeit semi conscious.
ACTOR
(whining)
Oh no, not the Guilt Squad again!
SKYDIVER 1 snaps his fingers. SKYDIVER 2 brings him a copy of the script. SKYDIVER 1 gets and starts reading from it.
It’s a WESTERN. SKYDIVER 2 plays the part of the FARMER’S DAUGHTER. The two of them work themselves into the scene, hamming it up with dialogue, playing it loud.
A pregnant pause….
SKYDIVER 1
(to the ACTOR)
Your line!
No response.
SKYDIVER 2
(disgusted)
Bit players.
Insulted, the ACTOR slips into character.
ACTOR
I told you to keep your hands
Off of her.
SKYDIVER 1
Oh yeah?
ACTOR
Yeah.
SKYDIVER 2
Johnny, don’t cause no trouble.
SKYDIVER 1
Trouble? He don’t even know
How to spell trouble.
ACTOR
Oh yeah?
SKYDIVER 1
Yeah.
ACTOR
(slowly)
T-R-O….
SKYDIVER 2
(interrupting)
You love me don’t you?
ACTOR
Yeah, I love you….
SKYDIVER 1
Wha’d I tell ya.
SKYDIVER 1 reels back and punches the ACTOR in the stomach. The ACTOR doubles over. SKYDIVER 1 hits him on the chin with an upper-cut. The ACTOR falls back on the bed unconscious.
CLOSE-UP: The ACTOR’S face.
A long lingering shot.
Sound of a PHONE RINGING.
CUT TO:
CLOSE-UP PHONE.
The ACTOR’S hand gropes for the receiver. He picks it up and puts it to his ear.
ACTOR
(groggy)
Uh…. Hello?
WOMAN’S TELEPHONE VOICE
Hello? This is Christie at Wagon Train
Productions…. I’m calling to tell you
That your call has been cancelled.
ACTOR
What?!… Oh…. Thank you.
The ACTOR falls back to sleep.
FADE OUT:
