Designated Driver

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In Chapter 13 of FRANKENSTEIN IN LOVE, the plot thickens when science genius nerd Frankie Stein moves his dead girlfriend Shayla Petrie into a tree house in his backyard. But when his next door neighbor Vita Heck sees what's going on out her window, she makes a horrifying discovery ...


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 the leftovers from last night.

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 ‘EM --

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, baby -- but you need to be quiet
when I’m on the phone, okay?

SHAYLA
Okay. I’m -- sorry.

FRANKIE
What are you watching?

SHAYLA
History -- Channel.
That Hitler was -- BAD-ASS.

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 dress,
the hood pulled up over her head
and tied almost completely shut.

SHAYLA
I can’t -- see anything --

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.

SHAYLA
Hi -- friend.

JOSH
(uncomfortable)
Hey.

FRANKIE
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
(nods, then, to Shayla)
C’mon, let’s go.

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

Shayla moves 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,
because it’s almost completely hidden.

FRANKIE
Gestures proudly.

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

SHAYLA
I -- LOVE IT.

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

INT. VITA’S BEDROOM - NIGHT
Plain, simple. Surprisingly girlie.
And right now, dark.

Vita BOLTS UPRIGHT in her bed,
awakened by the noise.

She goes to the window.
Looks out. Sees Frankie and Shayla.

VITA
Frankie? Who’s that with him?

EXT. TREE HOUSE - NIGHT
We see a circular staircase next to 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
Hold on a sec.
(answers it)
What’s wrong?

JOSH
Looks up at Vita’s window.

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

FRANKIE
(looks)
I can’t see her from here.
What should we do?

JOSH
Hell if I know --

FRANKIE
Go talk to her. Distract her.

JOSH
I don’t know what to SAY --

FRANKIE
You’re smart. You’ll think of something.

JOSH
Too late.

FRANKIE
What do you mean too late?

JOSH
She just came out the back door of her house --

FRANKIE
SHIT.
(to Shayla)
C’mon, let’s go --

SHAYLA
What’s -- wrong?

FRANKIE
No time. 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 here so late?

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

Josh’s eyes grow wide. Wheels turning.

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
(looks at the tree house sadly)
Oh.

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

VITA
Yeah. See you in school.

Josh nods quickly.
Then marches away. Freaked.

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

A table and two chairs in another.
A small boombox.

A 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
LOVE it. 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 grins. Sits down.
She take his hands in hers.
Leans in for a kiss.

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? But she’s DEAD --