Hot Pockets

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In Chapter 18 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, just as science genius nerd Frankie gets ready to move his dead cheerleader 'girlfriend' Shayla out of his basement lab into a tree house so she can have 'a view,' the unthinkable happens when she starts to get her memory back ...


INT. FRANKIE’S HOUSE - BASEMENT LAB - AT THAT MOMENT
Frankie sits at his workbench
eating a sandwich watching the news.
He smiles. Softly SLAPS the table.

FRANKIE
Willis? NICE.

Shayla lies on her ‘bed’
leafing through a fashion magazine.
She looks up, quizzical.

SHAYLA
What?

FRANKIE
Nothing, nothing --
(beat)
So you ready for the big move?

SHAYLA
(smiles)
Room with -- a view.

FRANKIE
Great. You’re gonna love it.

Shayla cocks her head. Thinking.

SHAYLA
Starting to -- remember.

FRANKIE
(scared)
Oh? Like -- what?

SHAYLA
Used to be -- cheerleader.

FRANKIE
R-really?

SHAYLA
Something -- else --

FRANKIE
Oh? Wh-what’s that?

SHAYLA
Another -- boyfriend.
Funny -- huh?

PUSH IN ON Frankie’s face.
Freaking out. He swallows.

FRANKIE
H-hilarious.

INT. HOSPITAL - NURSE’S STATION - NIGHT
Very quiet at this late hour.

Julie Stein wears a nurse’s uniform,
sits at her desk at the
corner of two corridors.

A PLEASANT-FACED LARGE NURSE (40’s)
walks up to her.

PLEASANT-FACED LARGE NURSE
I’m going down to the
cafeteria to get coffee.
Can I get you anything?

JULIE
I’d LOVE a coffee.
These double-shifts are
KILLING me. Thanks --

Pleasant-Faced nods. Walks off.
Julie picks up the phone.
Dials a number. Listens.

JULIE
Hello, Frankie --

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. FRANKIE’S BASEMENT LAB - CONTINUOUS
Frankie’s on the phone.
Shayla watches TV in the background.

FRANKIE
Hey, mom. What’s up?

JULIE
I’m so sorry, but
Tami called in sick.
I have to do a double-shift
again tonight.

FRANKIE
That’s okay, mom.
I’ll just nuke a couple
of Hot Pockets.

JULIE
Great. How was school today?

FRANKIE
Uh -- fine. School was -- great.

JULIE
Are you okay?
Is something wrong?
You sound funny.

FRANKIE
(looks at Shayla)
No. Everything’s -- fine.
Just -- tired, that’s all.

Shayla raises her arms in the air.
SHOUTS.

SHAYLA
KILL, KILL!

JULIE
What was that?

FRANKIE
Something on TV --
(gestures to Shayla to shush)
Sorry you have to work late again.

JULIE
(sighs)
Yeah, me too.
At least I get overtime.
See you in the morning, honey.

FRANKIE
Bye, mom. Good night.

JULIE
Love you.

FRANKIE
Love you. Bye.

He hangs up. Looks at Shayla.

FRANKIE
I’m sorry, my love --
but you need to be quiet
quiet when I’m on the phone, okay?

SHAYLA
Sorry.

FRANKIE
What are you watching?

PUSH IN ON Shayla’s face.
Smiling sweetly.

SHAYLA
Real -- Housewives.