1+) Ben Chatman (34) Is Sitting in His Cage (Matrix) Filling Some Papers In

Losing touch

INT. OFFICE BUILDING - BOB’S CUBICLE – DAY 1

The entire floor looks like a human honeycomb, with a labyrinth of cubicles structured around a core of elevators.

BEN CHATMAN (34) is sitting in his cage filling some papers in. It reins animation. Various companies’ employees carrying any kind of papers are running to and fro. WE HEAR SCRAPS OF CONVERSATIONS, ANGRY CRIES and PHONE RINGS.

Ben is tired and very bored. He lifts his head, puts down his glasses and looks around.

WE SEE the busy situation in the company. Ben is rubbing his eyes.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT 2

Ben is sitting tired on the sofa watching TV.

CATHERINE (v.o.) Ben, dinner’s ready.

BEN I’m coming. 2

Ben continues watching the TV tiredly. His wife CATHERINE (31), stands to him, bends and kisses his cheek.

CATHERINE Come on, it’ll be going cold.

BEN I’m coming in a minute.

Catherine turns back. Ben keeps on watching TV.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – DAY 3

Ben is lying on the bed. WE HEAR a CLOCK BELL. Ben opens his eyes and throws a look at the clock next to his bed.

The clock displays 7.30 a.m.

For a while Ben stays looking at the watch. The alarm CLOCK keeps on RINGING. Ben turns off the clock.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – DRSSING ROOM – DAY 4

Ben is standing in front of a two-winged war drop. Its doors are wide opened. Ben is in a white shirt and black trousers. He takes a black jacket and a tie and turns aside. On the wall there is a big mirror. Ben puts on the jacket and the tie.

BEN (looking at the mirror) Come on, put yourself together.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – DAY 5

Ben comes in the kitchen. He pours a coffee, takes a roll and goes out.

INT. BEN’S CUBICLE – DAY 6

Ben is sitting behind his desk. There is a real mess on his desk. Everywhere various reports, charts researches and such papers are in disorder. Ben holds in his hands a big pile of papers looking through them. WE HEAR the phone on his desk RINGS. Ben throws a look at it and continuous looking through the papers nervously. WE HEAR the PHONE is RINGING again. Ben grumbles angrily and lifts the receiver. 3

BEN Hello? (pause) Not now, Dave.

Ben hangs up and has a look in front of him. WE SEE HAROLD SIMPSON (40) walking to him.

Ben becomes tenser. He starts again looking through the papers he is holding. Harold stops in front of Ben.

HAROLD (strictly) Chatman, don’t only tell me you aren’t ready.

BEN (looking up the papers) I’m working what I can, sir.

Harold puts his hand on Ben’s desk. Ben lifts his head to Harold.

HAROLD (warning) It doesn’t fit me, Chatman. I don’t care what you’re going to do. Unless you aren’t ready until tomorrow go and look for another job.(pause) Am I clear?

BEN Yes, Sir. (pause) Don’t worry tomorrow I’ll hand in the reports.

Harold’s smiles satisfied.

HAROLD OK then.

Harold removes his hand from the desk and goes. Ben sighs with relief.

INT. BEN’S CAR – NIGHT 7

Ben drives with his car on the highway. He looks at the highway tiredly.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – KITCHEN – NIGHT 8 4

Ben has a dinner with Catharine and his small daughter JULLY (6). Catharine has a look at Ben who is eating and staring at his plate.

CATHRINE How did you spend the day at work?

BEN (staring at his plate) (a little angrily) How do you think it was? I’m overloaded with work. Tomorrow, again I have to go to work earlier.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT 9

Ben and Catherine are lying in bed. Each of them is reading some book. Ben is wearing glasses. Catherine closes her book.

CATHERINE I’m going to sleep.

BEN OK.

CATHERINE Tomorrow you’re getting up earlier. Don’t you go sleeping, too?

BEN No

He lifts a little the book.

BEN I want to finish it.

Catherine puts her book on the bedside table.

BEN Kate, look, I… I’m sorry about what happened at dinner. I’m tense a lot these days and…

CATHERINE It’s OK. I know you didn’t want it. 5

Catherine comes closer to Ben and he kisses her tenderly.

CATHERINE Good night.

BEN Good night.

CUT TO:

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – BEDROOM – NIGHT 10

Ben is lying and reading the book. He puts down the book and has a look by his side. Ben puts down his spectacles and stares at his wife.

Catherine is sleeping calmly by his side.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – STAIRS – NIGHT 11

Ben is slowly coming up the stairs to the second floor. His hands are holding big rifle.

Ben comes up the last stair and goes along the second floor corridor. A door in a distance of 3 meters in front of him is opening and Catherine comes out. Her back is towards Ben.

Catherine turns back her head and notice Ben. She is terrified.

CATHRINE (frightened) Ben!?

Ben keeps on walking slowly toward her.

CATHRINE (frightened) Ben, what are you doing?

Ben keeps on walking slowly toward her. Catherine starts running ahead.

Walking up slowly on the corridor Ben has a look at the room Catherine has come out. 6

There on a chair back a white dress is slinging over.

Ben has a look onward, raises the rifle and presses the trigger. WE a LOUD THUNDER.

A spout of fire comes out of the two muzzles.

Catherine is falling aside. Her back is in blood. Weak in the knees, Catherine hits the right wall of the corridor and slowly is falling down lifelessly on the floor leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

Ben is lying in bed. Frightened he opens his eyes, rises a bit, looks around and understands that it was only a dream.

He sits on the bed, rubs his eyes trying to chase away the dream out of his head. He gets up and looks at Catherine.

Catherine is still sleeping.

INT. BEN’S CAR – DAY 13

BEN is driving with his car on the highway. A few other cars are only driving on the highway.

The sun is rising on the horizon. Ben screws up his eyes by the sun rays and stares expressionlessly at the road.

Ben is sitting at the desk filling on some form. There is a big pile of various files and documents on it. Ben takes a file from the corner of the desk, puts in the form and then puts the file on the pile of other files, drops at the chair and sighs tiredly.

MIKE (35) a colleague and friend of him is standing by him.

MIKE That asshole, did he overload you with work again?

Ben hangs his head back.

BEN How do you think? 7

MIKE Are you hungry?

BEN (staring at the ceiling) What’s the time?

Mike has a look at his watch.

MIKE 12.40 a.m.

BEN I’ll take these things to him and I’ll be back.

CUT TO:

INT. THE WORKING FLOOR – DAY 15

A kind of laborer is walking along one of the walls. The laborer is holding a container of red paint.

A company employee walking in front of the laborer and looking at the papers in his hands hits against him.

The laborer staggers and drops the container. The paint pours on the wall leaving a big red spot similar to the one from Ben’s dream.

CUT TO:

Ben looks at the wall and sees the spot.

SLAMCUT TO:

FLASHBACK: INT. BEN’S HOUSE – CORRIDOR – NIGHT 17

Catharine is lying lifelessly on the floor. At the corridor right wall there is a big bloody spot.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT: INT. BEN’S CUBICLE – DAY 18 8

Ben is staring at the spot.

INT. MESS HALL – DAY 19

Mike and Ben are sitting at a table for two. In front of Mike there is a tray with his lunch and there is only a cup of coffee before Ben.

MIKE (CONT’D) And later we’re going to that small villa of my cousin that I’ve already told you about.

Mike has a look at Ben’s cup.

MIKE Don’t you have a lunch?

BEN I’m not hungry.

MIKE Don’t you both have an anniversary soon?

BEN Yeah, in a few days. I’ll take her out to dinner

MIKE Why don’t you go to those little hotels for lovers?

BEN We were to such one last year. And we don’t want to leave Jully to Catherine’s mother again.

MIKE How is the little girl?

BEN She’s OK. She’s too excited she’s starting school.

Mike has a thought for a while.

MIKE 9

Will we go to the match of “Laker’s”? My brother promised me three tickets. We’ll take Jeffry, too.

Ben stares at his coffee.

BEN (staring at his coffee) Yeah, we might.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – LIVING ROOM – NIGHT 20

Ben is sitting in the sofa watching TV.

CATHRINE(v.o.) Ben?

BEN Yeah, yeah, I’m coming.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – STAIRS – NIGHT 21

Slowly Ben is coming up the stairs to the second floor. There is a big rifle in his hands.

CUT OT:

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR – NIGHT 22

Catherine is running away. Ben aims the rifle to Catherine and fires.

Catherine slides down leaning against the corridor right wall, back to Ben and leaving a big bloody spot on it.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – DRESSING ROOM – NIGHT 23

The lamp in the room is off. Ben is standing in front of the mirror.

Ben is sleeping in the bed. Scared as he is, he weak up, raises and breathing heavily he’s looking around. 10

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – DAY 25

Ben is in a morning-gown and shaves in front of the mirror. His hair is wet. The bathroom is full of vapor because of the shower he has just had.

As he is slowly shaving he stops and stares at the reflected face in the mirror leaning a little his head to the mirror.

SLAM CUT:

Ben is on the last stair standing in the corridor. He aims the rifle and fires. WE HEAR the strong REPORT from the shot.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT: INT. BEN’S HOUSE – BATHROOM – DAY 27

Ben pulls back his head, shakes it a little and blinks for some time to come to his senses.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE - DRESSING ROOM – DAY 28

Ben is standing in front of the mirror. He is in a black suit. Ben puts on his tie and stares at the mirror.

Boringly he is looking at his face.

Ben and July are sitting at the table having a breakfast.

Catherine comes in the room and sits by them.

CATHERINE Today, I’m going together with Kim and Jennifer downtown. I don’t know when I’m back. We’ll look for a Jennifer’s dress. Her sister’s wedding is in a week.

Without any interest Ben nods. Catherine smiles at July. 11

CATHERINE Are you ready for school?

July smiles, too.

JULY Yeah.

July gets up from the table and they both with Catherine come out of the room.

Ben is sitting behind his desk staggering his legs. He is holding some papers in one hand and in the other a ballpoint. Chewing the ballpoint, Ben boringly is reading the papers without any interest. He doesn’t pay attention to nothing else.

Ben puts down the papers and is staring at the red spot on the wall.

Mike is sitting in the next cubicle box talking angrily by phone.

MIKE (CONT’D) (angrily, shouting) No, I’ve told you that won’t be realized. (pause) No, it’s out of the question. (pause) You know, darling, I love you but sometimes I’m wondering how such an evil creature as you are could exist

Ben has a look at Mike.

MIKE (angrily, shouting) No, no, don’t give me at all that. (pause) Do you? But don’t ever come to cry over later. (pause)Yeah, fine.

Mike bangs the receiver.

BEN (with some preoccupation) Are you OK?

Mike nods without saying a single word. 12

BEN (with some preoccupation) Is everything OK?

MIKE Yeah. (pause) These women are hard to please. We are married with Deb for 11 years but she can’t make me jump out of my skin once a month at least. (pause) Don’t you ever have the idea to kill your relatives?

Confused by the question Ben shady and unsurely has a look at him.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR - NIGHT 31

Ben is sanding in the corridor. He is holding the big rifle. A door 3 meters ahead of him is opening and Catherine is coming out of it. Her back is toward Ben.

Catherine turns her head behind her and sees Ben. She is terrified.

CATHERINE (frightened) Ben!?

Ben starts walking slowly towards her.

CATHERINE (frightened) Ben, what are you doing?

Ben goes on walking slowly towards her. Catherine stars running ahead. Ben aims the rifle at her. WE HEAR a big REPORT.

CLOSE ON Ben smiles widely. Catherine is lying on the floor in a big pool of blood. On the corridor right side there is a big bloody spot.

Lying in bed Ben opens his eyes. Catherine shows at the door.

CATHERINE Darling, it’s already 8 a.m. You’ll be late. 13

INT. BEN’S HOUSE DRESSING ROOM – DAY 33

Ben is dressing up looking himself at the mirror. He quickly puts on his jacket, breathes deeply in and exhales for feeling refreshed.

Ben is driving to his work.

SLAM CUT:

Ben aiming the rifle at the running Catherine and fires.

Catherine’s knees doubled up under her, she hits the corridor right wall.

SLAM CUT:

FLASHBACK: INT. BEN’S CAR – DAY 36

Ben is looking thoughtfully at the road. On the road, in front of him there is a red traffic light.

Ben stops at the traffic light. He throws a look at his watch, then for a while, instinctively has a look at his right side and again has a look ahead. Ben freezes with for a second. His head is slowly turning to the right.

WE SEE a shop selling weapons. On the window shop WE SEE the rifle of the Ben’s dream.

Ben stares at the rifle. WE HEAR a HORN by some of the cars behind. Ben looks ahead.

The traffic lights are green. Ben starts ahead.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – THE CORRIDOR – NIGHT 37

Ben is standing in the corridor holding a rifle. Catherine turns back and sees him. 14

Ben is standing at the one end of the corridor looking ahead with an unmeaning face as a hypnotized person.

CATHERINE (v.o.) (frightened) Ben, what are you doing!?

Looking at her as a zombie, Ben aims the rifle at her.

CATHERINE (v. o.) (shouting) No!

A big jet of fire comes out of the rifle. WE HEAR a big SHOT.

CUT TO:

INT. BEN’S HOUSE DRESSING ROOM – NIGHT 38

The lamp in the room is off. Ben is standing in front of the mirror.

Ben opens his eyes. He is leaning on his chair. Ben is looking around.

Every one has already gone. He is alone in the hall.

Outside the sky is dark.

Ben stands up and puts on his jacket that was on the chair back and starts ahead. Two steps done, he throws a look aside. Ben stops, his eyes are attracted by something.

He is absolutely alone in the huge hall looking as a hypnotized at a big red spot on the wall a few meters ahead.

There is a complete silence around.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE KITCHEN – NTGHT 40

Ben is coming in the kitchen. There is nothing on the table. Catherine comes in the kitchen.

CATHERINE 15

Hi, darling.

Catherine is walking tiredly to the fridge.

CATHERINE Today there was a complete mess in the trade center. And Jennifer is such a fussy woman. We have been turning around for more than two hours until she chose what to buy for the wedding.

BEN Where’s July?

CATHERINE I put her to bed.

Catherine takes out a bottle of mineral water out of the fridge.

CATHERINE I’m going to bed. I’m terribly tired. The dinner’s in the oven.

Catherine kisses Ben’s cheek and leaves the room.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – THE CORRIDOR – NIGHT 41

Ben is slowly climbing up the stairs to the second floor. He is holding a big rifle.

Ben gets to the last stair and stops at the corridor. A door about three meters far from him is opening and Catherine is coming out. She is facing Ben. Catherine is holding a white dress identical with the one from the first dream. She sees Ben and steps back frightened.

CATHERINE (worriedly) Ben!?

Ben smiles and shakes his head positively. Catherine drops the dress, turns back and starts running. Ben aims the rifle and presses the trigger. WE HEAR a big SHOT.

Ben closes his eyes for two seconds then he opens them again. His smile becomes wider. 16

Leaning against the corridor right wall back to Ben, Catherine is slowly dragging lifelessly on the floor leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE BEDROOM – DAY 42

Ben is lying on his back. He opens his eyes and smiles.

CATHERINE (v.o.) Did you sleep well?

Ben turns to one side. Catherine, awaken, is lying on the bed by him. Ben nods. Catherine smiles, comes closer to him and lies on him leaning her chin against his chest.

CATHERINE (joking) You had a dream, hadn’t you?

Ben smiles.

BEN Yeah.

Catherine smiles, too.

CATHERINE And what a dream had you?

BEN (smilingly) That I shoot you.

Confused and offended, Catherine gets up.

CATHERINE (shocked): How could you say such a thing!?

Catherine goes to the door.

CATHERINE Fucking asshole.

Catherine opens the door and goes out of the room. 17

Ben is driving on the highway. He is looking boringly and expresses sly at the road.

SLAM CUT:

Ben is coming up the stairs.

CUT TO:

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – CORRIDOR – NIGHT 45

Ben is in at the end of the corridor, he is aiming the rifle.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT: INT. BEN’S CAR – DAY 46

Ben smiles a little.

SLAM CUT:

Ben is standing at the other end of the corridor.

CATHERINE (v.o.) (shouting) No!

Ben fires. WE HEAR an intense SHOT.

Catherine legs failed her and Catherine hits the right wall of the corridor. Her entire back is in blood.

SLAM CUT:

Ben starts laughing.

SLAM CUT:

FLASHBACK: INT. BEN’S HOUSE – CORRIDOR – NIGHT 49 18

Ben presses the trigger and smiles widely. WE HEAR an intense SHOT.

Leaning on the right wall Catherine is slowly falling down leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

SLAM CUT:

Ben starts laughing loudly.

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – DRESSING ROOM – DAY 51

Catherine opens the big two-winged wardrobe that is plenty with clothes of her. She fixes her eyes at her clothes.

TAMMY (v.o.) Catherine.

Catherine looks on one side. A friend of her TAMMY (27) is at the door.

CATHERINE Tammy.

TAMMY The door was opened. No one answered me. (pAUSE) We’ll go and visit Kim’s place, won’t we?

CATHERINE Oh, I’ve completely forgotten about it.

TAMMY What are you doing? Tammy stands by Catherine.

CATHERINE Ben and I, we have an anniversary of our wedding. I was wondering what to dress.

INT. MESS HALL – DAY 52 19

Ben is standing in front a dessert machine. He is holding a coffee. Ben is in good mood. Looking at the desserts he is hurling some melody. Ben put a coin into the machine.

MIKE (v.o.) Ben.

Ben turns back, sees Mike and smiles.

BEN Mickey, what’s happening with you?

MIKE Nothing special.

Ben takes the dessert out of the machine and they both are heading to a table.

MIKE Today you’re quite in a mood. Don’t tell me that you’ve finished this month report.

Ben looks at him in surprise.

BEN Of course, no. What do you think I am? (pause) I didn’t even start it.

MIKE (astonished) You didn’t start it? BEN No.

MIKE Ben, are you all right?

Ben smiles.

BEN Yeah.

MIKE You know… Harold. He’ll get crazy when he unde… 20

BEN Fuck Harold. I’m fed up of him.

MIKE Are you sure you feel OK?

BEN Yeah, why?

MIKE I don’t know. I’m a little surprised just you to tell me that you did nothing during the last two days.

BEN Fuck it. It’s just a work.

Surprisingly, Mike looks at Ben.

MIKE OK, whatever you say.

Ben is writing something on his PC.

SLAM CUT:

Ben is standing at one end of corridor smiling widely. WE HEAR a big SHOT.

Catherine falls lifelessly on the floor.

SLAM CUT:

PRESENT: INT. BEN’S CUBICLE – DAY 55

Ben smiles, shakes his head and leans against the chair. Harold is standing by Ben his arms on the waist.

HAROLD Chatman. 21

Ben looks at him with irritation.

HAROLD You didn’t take warning by the last time. How to teach you that…

BEN (with annoyance) Oh, shut the fuck up Harold.

Overwhelmed Harold has a look at Ben. Ben leans against his chair.

BEN You know, I’m tired of this. Isn’t enough that I do most of my work and now I have permanently to listen to your stupid warnings. (imitating him) Don’t do that Chatman. Hurry up Chatman.

HAROLD (threatening) Bridle your tongue.

BEN Or what? (pause) I’m listen! What you going to do?

Harold is standing in astonishment in front of Ben and doesn’t know what to say.

HAROLD This time I’ll pretend to not have heard it.

Ben smiles mockingly at him. Harold turns back and leaves Ben.

Mike slides by his chair from the next cubicle and nears Ben.

MIKE (delighted) Man, you’re great.

HAROLD (v.o.) (shouting) Isn’t anyone here to clean that spot from the wall. 22

Looking at Harold Ben smiles.

CLOSE ON two jets of fire come out of the rifle muzzles.

Leaning against the wall, Catherine is slowly falling down on the floor as she leaves a big bloody spot on the wall.

Ben is driving to work. The car starts stalling. Ben has a look at the dashboard.

There is no gas. Ben stops the car gets out and starts walking on the street.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET – DAY 58

Ben is walking on the street. He casts a glance unintentionally at his right and stops.

Ben is standing in front of the weapons shop. There is a rifle from his dream at the shop window.

CUT TO:

INT. WEAPON SHOP – DAY 59

Ben comes in the shop and starts looking around unintentionally.

SHOP ASSISTANT (v.o.) Hello.

Ben looks to one side. Behind the counter there is a man with big white moustache (55).

SHOP ASSISTANT May I help you?

Ben shakes his head.

BEN I’m just looking. 23

Looking around the shop Ben nears the shop assistant. The shop assistant smiles.

SHOP ASSISTANT Everybody says that. No one comes in like that. (pause) I remarked you are interested in the rifle at the shop window. Let me show it to you.

The shop assistant takes the rifle from the shop window and gives it to Ben.

SHOP ASSISTANT It’s a real beauty. Take a closer look.

The shop assistant gives the rifle to Ben.

BEN No, I just …

SHOP ASSISTANT Come on, don’t be afraid!

Ben takes the rifle in his hands. The shop assistant smiles at.

SHOP ASSISTANT So, what you gonna say?

Ben is standing in front of the shop assistant and is staring at the rifle. He is little bit confused to realize how much he likes to hold it in his hands.

Ben is writing something on his PC. He has a look at the big clock on the wall.

It’s 12.58 p.m.

Ben has another look at his PC and goes on writing. Impatiently, after a while again Ben has a look at the clock on the wall.

It’s 12.59 p.m.

MIKE (v.o.) Are you OK? 24

Ben has a look at the next cubicle where Mike is.

MIKE You’re very tense today.

BEN Yeah.

Ben throws an impatient look at the clock on the wall.

It’s 12.59 p.m.

Ben has a look at his PC ad continues writing

MIKE (v.o) Are you sure you’re OK?

Looking at his PC Ben nods. Mike turns to his PC.

Ben is looking impatiently at the clock on the wall.

It’s 12.59 p. m.

Again Ben is looking at his PC without moving for some time and then impatiently has a look at the clock on the wall.

Its 1 p.m.

Ben gets up from the chair.

MIKE Shall we go to have lunch?

BEN I can’t. Have something to do.

Ben is walking in a hurry to the exit.

Ben gets into the car, sits at the driver’s place and looks beck. There is something covered with a blanket on the back seat. Ben takes out the blanket. The rifle from the shop is on the back seat. Ben takes the rifle and turns in front. He is looking at the rifle as a child looking at its favored toy. Ben passes his hand on the two rifle muzzles with tenderness. 25

Ben stops in front of his house. He has a look behind him.

On the back seat the rifle lies. Ben fixes his eyes for a while the rifle then he covers it with the blanket and gets out of the car.

In Ben’s hands the rifle is aimed downwards. The rifle muzzles are moving slowly rises up in a horizontal position. A big jet of fire comes out of the two muzzles. WE HEAR a big SHOT.

Ben is driving on the highway. He looks at the road with an unmeaning face.

Ben is sitting behind his desk and looking through some papers. He takes the ballpoint and starts writing something on a separate paper.

SLAM CUT:

Two big jets of fire are coming out from the rifle muzzles.

Catherine is lying on the floor in a big puddle of blood.

SLAM CUT:

Ben moves restlessly on the chair, tosses a little his head to drive the thought away of his head and starts again to write something on the paper.

SLAM CUT:

WE HEAR a big SHOT. 26

Leaning against the right wall Catherine is slowly getting down on the floor leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

SLAM CUT:

Ben moves nervously on the chair, puts down the ballpoint and leans against the chair. He is in despair and doesn’t know what to do. Ben leans his head on his arm, closes his eyes and takes a deep breath to concentrate. He bends again on the documents, takes the ballpoint and starts writing again.

SLAM CUT:

Holding the rifle Ben fires. He opens eyes widely and his face shows a wide and ferocious smile.

SLAM CUT:

Ben gets up from the chair and heads to the exit.

INT. JEFFREY OFFICE – WAITING ROOM – DAY 72

Ben is sitting on a chair and restlessly looks around. He nervously moves his legs up and down. Ben is very excited and he is hardly sitting on the chair.

The door opens and Jeffrey (58) shows up at. He is a psychiatrist and Ben’s acquaintance.

JEFFREY (surprised) Ben?! What you’re dong?

Ben gets up quickly of the chair.

BEN We should talk. JEFFREY OK, come in. 27

Ben comes in Jeffrey’s office impatiently and sits on the chair. Jeffrey sits on a chair in front o him. Jeffrey notices that Ben feels uneasy.

JEFFREY (embarrassed) Are you OK?

Ben shakes his head.

JEFFREY What’s the trouble with you?

BEN (with relief) For some days I have been dreaming that I kill my wife.

Ben smiles a little bit.

BEN I don’t know why. (pause) I have the same dream every night. I can’t concentrate on my work. There is only that idea in my mind. I can’t think of noting else.

JEFFREY Have you both had any problems lately? Did you both quarrel?

Ben shakes his head and again smiles a little.

BEN Every night I can’t stop thinking how I kill her. I don’t know anymore that I like the idea.

Ben looks aside to avoid Jeffrey’s eyes and smiles. Again he has a look at Jeffrey and bends to him.

BEN I even bought a rifle.

Very embarrassedly Jeffrey has a look at Ben. 28

JEFFREY OK. Just sets your mind at rest. Up to you, what’s the reason?

BEN I don’t know. Some days ago it was just a stupid thought that only passed through my mind. Step by step I started thinking more and more about it. Now I feel I can’t stop anymore.

Ben is coming up the stairs holding the rifle. He steps on the last stair and stands at one end of the corridor.

Catherine is standing in the middle of the corridor in an evening white gown. Staring at her, his head a little bent down, Ben smiles broadly and aims the rifle at her.

Catherine starts running along the corridor. Ben pulls the trigger.

With her legs failing her Catherine hits the corridor right wall and is slowly slipping lifelessly on the floor leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

Ben drops his hands. The rifle drops on the floor.

CUT TO:

INT. BEN’S HOUSE – DRESSING ROOM – NIGHT 74

The lamp in the room is off. Ben is standing in front the mirror. He is staring at his face.

The mirror reflects his face that smiles at with content and nods approvingly his head.

Ben is sleeping quietly in his bed. He is slowly opening his eyes and quietly staring at the ceiling then has a look at the clock by the bed. 29

Catherine is reading a paper, leaning against the wall and having a coffee. July is sitting at the table and having a breakfast. Ben is coming in the room.

CATHERINE Good morning.

BEN Good morning.

Both of them smile one to another and kiss.

BEN Happy anniversary.

CATHERINE Happy anniversary, darling. (pause) Today you’re coming back earlier, aren’t you?

BEN Yeah.

CATHERINE Coffee?

BEN Yeah, sure.

Catherine pours him a cup of coffee.

CATHERINE What time is the reservation?

BEN 7.30 p.m.

Catherine is holding Ben’s hands and smiles.

CATHERINE Guess what I’ll dress for tonight.

Ben kisses her cheek.

BEN 30

The white dress you like so much when we were in New York.

Catherine smiles a little. She is amazed. Ben takes his cup of coffee and heads to the door.

CATHERINE How do you know?

Ben turns his head to her and smiles broadly.

BEN I just know.

Ben is sitting at his chair. He is carelessly looking around chewing his ballpoint. Ben lifts his eyes and has a look at the clock on the wall.

It is 2.02 p.m.

BEN Come on, there are 4 hours only.

CUT TO:

Ben is sitting at his desk reading some documents. He has a look at the clock on the wall.

It shows 4.23 p. m. Again, Ben has a look at the documents he is holding.

CUT TO:

Ben is writing something on his PC. He stops, leans against his chair, drops his head back and sighs tiredly. He has a look at the clock on the wall.

It is 6.07 p.m.

Unhesitatingly Ben is looking a little bit longer at the clock. He gets up and head to the exit. 31

Ben is driving on the highway. He is looking at the road unhesitatingly and gloomy.

CUT TO:

Ben stops in front of his house.

The light in the two rooms on the second floor is on.

Staring at his house Ben takes a deep breath to relieve then gets out of the car.

Ben is walking slowly up the stairs to the second floor. He is holding the big rifle. Ben steps on the last stair and is at the end of the corridor.

A door, 3 meters far from him opens and Catherine comes out from it. She is in a long white dress. Catherine stands with her back to him. She turns her head back and sees Ben. Catherine is horrified.

CATHERINE (sacredly) Ben!?

Ben stands without any reaction. He is holding tightly the rifle.

CATHERINE (sacredly) Ben, what are you doing!?

Ben is shaking his head tiredly.

BEN I can’t stand it anymore.

Ben is slowly lifting the rifle. Catherine starts running. Ben pulls the trigger. WE HEAR a big SHOT.

A big jet of fire comes out of the two muzzles. 32

Catherine flies off aside. All her back is in blood. With his legs failing her she hits the corridor right wall and slowly and lifelessly is dropping on the floor leaving a big bloody spot on the wall.

Ben drops the rifle on the floor. He knees looking at Catherine. Ben is psychically squeezed. He is smiling a little, covering his face with hands and starts laughing hysterically.

EXT. OUTSIDE BEN’S HOUSE – NIGHT 83

WE HEAR Ben’s laughing. WE HEAR a big rifle SHOT. Ben’s laughing stops.