The Jig's Up

Happy Thursday, 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 19 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, science genius nerd Frankie Stein moves his dead girlfreind Shayla Petrie to his backyard treehouse in the middle of the night, but gets spotted by his next door neighbor/childhood flame Vita Heck ...


EXT. FRANKIE’S BACKYARD - NIGHT
Dark and deserted at this late hour.
Frankie stands near the back door with Shayla,
who wears a hoodie over her dress,
the hood pulled up and tied almost completely shut.

SHAYLA
Hard to -- see.

FRANKIE
Don’t worry. It’s just for a couple minutes.

Josh appears from around the corner of the house.

JOSH
Coast is clear.

FRANKIE
Great. You stay here, keep an eye out.

SHAYLA
Who’s -- that?

FRANKIE
A friend. He’s helping me move you.
(to Josh)
Keep an eye on the windows next door,
and if you see anyone, give the signal.

JOSH
Okay. Just hurry it up, okay?
I don’t wanna get busted.

FRANKIE
(to Shayla)
C’mon, let’s go.

He takes her by the arm, and they walk
toward the back of the yard.

Shayla shuffles slowly, stiffly, zombie-like.
They approach a big, old oak tree in a far corner.

SHAYLA
(looks up)
It’s -- beautiful.

ANGLE ON --
A TREE HOUSE nestled fifty feet up
in the big, thick branches.

Quite large, and beautifully made.
It’s been there for awhile,
almost completely hidden by leaves.

FRANKIE
Gestures proudly.

FRANKIE
It’s something, huh? Me and my dad built it
when I was a little kid. I designed it.

SHAYLA
I -- LOVE IT.

FRANKIE
Shhh. We don’t want to wake the neighbors.

INT. VITA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Vita lies in bed studying. She hears something.
Cocks her head. Goes to the window.
Looks out. Eyes grow wide.

VITA
Frankie? And who’s that with him?

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.

Frankie 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.