The Jig's Up

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In Chapter 19 of Frankenstein In Love, Frankie and Josh move dead cheerleader brought back to life Shayla up into Frankie's tree house so she can 'have a view,' they get busted by Frankie's next door neighbor Vita, who still has the hots for him ...


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,
with a circular staircase
wrapped around the trunk.

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. 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 she suddenly can barely move.

SHAYLA
Can’t -- do it. Need more -- power.

FRANKIE
Oh, shit. Okay.
(thinks, then realizes)
My cell phone charger --

He pulls a small, black charger
out of his back pocket.
Hands it to her. Smiles.

FRANKIE
Never leave home without it.

SHAYLA
(takes it)
Thanks.

Shoves it in her mouth. Turns it on.
Starts SUCKING on it. Gets ZAPPED again.
Hops from foot to foot. Takes it out.

FRANKIE
Feel better?

SHAYLA
Hell, ya. That’s a powerful little fucker.
I feel reborn.

FRANKIE
Hold onto it. You’ll probably need it again.

She nods. They start going up 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
Somebody could see us. 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 Vita’s face. Staring at the tree house.