The Jig's Up

Happy weak-end, crime slicksters. It's time once again to take a trip to the dark side, where the girls are hot, the drinks are cold, and the hardboiled-pulp-noir action is non-stop, right here, at the coolest crime joint in cyberspace ... at That Killing Feeling.

In Chapter 16 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, the shit hits the fan when science genius nerd Frankie Stein sneaks his dead girlfriend Shayla Petrie into his tree house for some 'privacy' and his next door neighbor Vita Heck sees them out her bedroom window ... and recognizes her.


EXT. TREE HOUSE - NIGHT
We see a circular staircase
winding around the tree trunk.

Frankie guides Shayla
over to the first step.

FRANKIE
Okay, here we go --

Shayla grabs the handrail.
Lifts her foot.

Tries to take a step,
but her muscle control is off.

SHAYLA
Can’t -- DO IT.

Franke squeezes around
in front of her.
Offers his hand.

FRANKIE
Here.
I’ll help you.

SHAYLA
(takes his hand)
Thanks --

He pulls her up.
They start slowly climbing the stairs.

VITA
Watches from her window.
Leans out to get a better view.

VITA
What the hell?

JOSH
Sees Vita.
Starts freaking out.

Puts his hands together
to make a bird call.
Blows into them.

JOSH
Coo, coo, coo --

FRANKIE
Hears it.
Looks around.
Doesn’t see anyone.

His cell phone VIBRATES
in his pocket. He stops.
Takes it out. Whispers.

FRANKIE
What’s wrong?

JOSH
Looks up at Vita’s window.

JOSH
It’s Vita.
She was hanging out her window
watching you. The jig’s up.

FRANKIE
Go talk to her.
Distract her.

JOSH
(sees something)
Shit.
Too late.

FRANKIE
What do you mean 'too late?'

JOSH
She just came outside.

FRANKIE
SHIT.
Then go head her off --
(to Shayla)
C’mon, let’s go --

SHAYLA
What’s -- wrong?

FRANKIE
Hurry up. C’mon --

He starts pulling her up the stairs.
Her feet find a rhythm,
and they start moving faster.

VITA
Stands in her back yard,
watching them climb.

VITA
Who’s that WITH him?

Josh walks over to the hedge
at the edge of her yard.

JOSH
Hey, Vita.
What are you doing out so late?

VITA
(turns and looks)
Josh?
I could ask you the same question.

JOSH
Uh, Frankie’s on a date.
I was the -- designated driver.

VITA
A DATE?
Who with?

JOSH
New girl.
Uh -- foreign exchange student.

VITA
Oh.

JOSH
So, uh -- it’s late.
I gotta go.
Have a good night.

VITA
Yeah.
You too --

PUSH IN ON Shayla’s face.
Staring at the tree house.

INT. TREE HOUSE - NIGHT
A surprisingly large room.
Carpeted. A futon in one corner.

Table and two chairs in another.
A small boombox.

Small love seat in front of a
portable TV. Half-size refrigerator.

The door OPENS.
In walks Frankie and Shayla.

She pulls down her hoodie.
Looks around. SQUEALS with joy.

SHAYLA
So -- CUTE.

FRANKIE
I thought you might like it.
(phone VIBRATES in pocket)
Hold on a sec --
(pulls it out, answers)
What’s up?
(listens)
Brilliant. Thanks.
See you tomorrow. Bye.

He CLICKS it shut.
Gestures to the couch.

FRANKIE
Have a seat.
Take a load off.

Shayla smiles.
Goes to the couch.

Sits demurely.
Pats the cushion
next to her invitingly.

He sits down.
She takes his hands in hers.
Leans in --

SHAYLA
Love -- nest.

And they kiss.

IN THE WINDOW
we see Vita’s face.
HORRIFIED.

OUTSIDE
Vita pulls away
from the window.

VITA
(whispers)
Shayla?