PRELUDE
1. INT PRECIOUS’ HOUSE NIGHT
PICTURE OPENS INTO THE LIVING ROOM OF THE APARTMENT. WE HEAR COMMOTION AND VOICES ARGUING FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE HOUSE. MOMENTS LATER, A BEDROOM DOOR PUSHES OPEN AND DANIEL, 35, HURRIES OUT OF THE BEDROOM, HIS FACE LACED WITH ANGER. CLOSE ON HIS HEELS IS HIS GIRLFRIEND, PRECIOUS, 28. SHE HAS A MASK OF ANGER ON HER TEAR STAINED FACE…
PRECIOUS
You cannot run away from this, Daniel! I won’t let you rest until you give me the answer I want to hear!
DANIEL
Leave me alone, Precious! Just leave me alone!
PRECIOUS
(Breaks into tears) No! I am not going anywhere until you tell me where this relationship is actually headed! Unless you want to tell me that our four years together means nothing to you!
DANIEL
Three years? Did I hear you say four years? I ask because my whole being feels as if I had been sentenced to a three hundred year prison sentence ever since the first day I met you!
PRECIOUS
I see. You call our relationship a prison sentence, eh, Daniel? After everything we have gone through together?
DANIEL
Precious, I need some space. Is that too much to ask from you? Give me some space so I can breathe!
PRECIOUS
Put a ring on my finger, Daniel! Come with me to see my parents and take me to see yours so we can start formal plans for our wedding. Just do all of these and I will give you all the space you need!
DANIEL OPENS HIS MOUTH TO SEND HER A SHARP RETORT BUT STOPS AND CLOSES HIS MOUTH. THEN HE SIGHS AND WALKS PAST HER TOWARDS THE FRONT DOOR. SHE TURNS TO WATCH HIM WALK AWAY FROM HER AND SNAPS JUST AS HIS HAND TOUCHES THE DOORKNOB TO OPEN THE DOOR…
PRECIOUS
(With a cold glint in her eyes) Yes! Run! Run away from me! Just don’t forget to pack your tails in between your legs with you! Coward!
DANIEL STOPS AND SIGHS GRAVELY WITH HIS SHOULDERS HUNCHED. THEN HE TURNS TO FACE PRECIOUS WITH A RESIGNED EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE…
DANIEL
Forgive me, Precious. I am so sorry.
PRECIOUS
Sorry? What are you talking about?
DANIEL
(Sighs) I am so sorry I ever thought I could plan a future with you. All you have ever done ever since we met is to drum the “M” word into my ears on a daily basis. How I managed the last four years with you is a miracle. But I am not doing this anymore, Precious. Not anymore!
PRECIOUS
(Panic stricken) What? What are you saying, Daniel?
DANIEL
This relationship is over. It should have died long ago. Forgive me for not bringing this charade to a halt sooner.
HE TURNS AND WALKS OFF INTO THE BEDROOM AS PRECIOUS STARES AT THE CLOSED DOOR WITH SHOCK ON HER FACE. THEN SHE SLOWLY CRUMBLES INTO A SEAT AND LAYS HER HEAD IN HER PALMS AND STARTS TO SOB GENTLY…
FADE
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
FADE TO
WATCH OUT AS THE STORY UNFOLDS
