You (or your character) find a key. What does it look like? What could it open?
(Note: planning on starting a Twitter/Instgram for this PLUS may be self-publishing a collection of them on Amazon. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll let you know when it’s al happening!)
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INT. HOUSE - BEDROOM - DAY
Big house in a middle-class neighborhood. Moving boxes sit around the room neatly. A curious, brave woman, KELLY (32), puts her clothes and accessories into a closet. She makes sure everything is placed perfectly.
She puts a new box onto the shelf. Something unseen blocks her box. She feels around on the shelf; too short to see what's blocking her box.
She pulls down a small, old antique trunk and eyes it curiously. She opens the trunk. It creaks. She takes out an old, strange key and smiles, excited about what it could open.
THROUGHOUT HOUSE
Kelly searches each area, looking for a lock. She grips the key.
ATTIC
Dirty, unorganized attic. Kelly enters with the key and looks around.
KELLY
This won't do.
She organizes some of the attic. She remembers the key in her hand. She looks between the attic and the key, trying to decide which one to deal with.
She searches the attic; not organizing anything. She finds an old, plain door behind a pile of mess. She studies the door, looking behind it. She sighs, disappointed.
KELLY
It's just a normal door. The key can't be for this.
She turns to leave. She looks at the door; curious if the key unlocks it. She sticks the key into the door. It unlocks, surprising her. She opens the door. A fantasy world is behind it. Her eyes shoot open.
She grabs a baseball bat and enters the fantasy world boldly.
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FLASHBACK - INT. SEASIDE SHANTY - SUNRISE
JACK, motormouthed, yet sweet as pie and sharp as tacks, flips over a big crab carapace with a cowboy boot tip. Something glints in the rising light that flows through a pane-less window. Jack bends and fishes a TINY SILVER KEY from the dust. Lifting one arm, he clicks the key into a slot in his armpit.
PING!
A tiny drawer pops out of Jack's temple. He pulls a GLOWING CUBE from the drawer, stashes it under the carapace, and strides out into the blue light of dawn.
Today's indie Producers actually make money?
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INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT
Two women, Emmie (32) and Taylor (28), sit in the bedroom together. They stare at each other tensely. The room is a mess. Clothes scattered all over the place. Items knocked off the dresser. It looks like a tornado went straight through the room.
Emmie opens the palm of her hand. She reveals a small antique key. It’s shiny and delicate. Emmie is almost afraid to be holding something so fragile.
Taylor quietly becomes overwhelmed. Tears roll down her face as she stares at the key.
TAYLOR You...you had it. You had it this entire time.
Emmie doesn’t speak. Her focus remains on the key. She closes her hand into a fist and holds onto the key tightly.
Emmie reaches for Taylor’s hand. She takes it and gently places the key in her hand. Emmie closes it and stares into Taylor’s eyes.
TAYLOR But I thought -
EMMIE Go.
Taylor glances at the key and then at the locked door. The path to the door seems so close but so far. The only obstacle in Taylor’s way is Emmie. Taylor becomes tense and nervous. She begins to cry even more.
TAYLOR Please, I don’t want to do this anymore.
Taylor begins to hyperventilate. The room suddenly feels small. She can feel the pattern of the key as it rolls around her hand.
Emmie stands up. She walks over to one of the dressers and leans against it. She pulls a pack of cigarettes from her pocket and watches Taylor. Taylor can’t make eye contact with Emmie.
Emmie is angry but tired. The cigarette relaxes her but the chaos from creating the messy room is exhausting. Watching Taylor cry is equally exhausting.
BEAT
EMMIE Fucking stand up, Taylor.
Taylor stands up slowly. Her eyes on the floor.
Emmie walks over to her. They stand face to face. Taylor can feel Emmie’s rage, but it feels different this time.
EMMIE Take that key, Taylor. Take the key and walk right out the door. You don’t want to do this anymore, and I’m fucking done.
Taylor looks up at Emmie. There is a sadness in Emmie’s eyes. Emmie steps to the side.
Taylor takes a small step forward. Then another step past Emmie. Emmie looks away and holds in a small yelp. Holding in the strong urge to cry.
Taylor finally takes faster steps and runs to the door. She opens the palm of her hand and uses the key to unlock the door. The door opens.
Taylor is overwhelmed with both sadness and happiness. She’s finally escaped her prison with Emmie. She turns back around with hope and faces Emmie.
Emmie looks back at Taylor. Lost, defeated, and heartbroken.
EMMIE You can close the door on your way out.
Taylor stares at her and shakes her head no. Hoping that Emmie will have the courage to walk out with her.
Emmie shrugs and walks towards the door. She grabs a bottle of whiskey that sits on the dresser on her way over. Emmie closes the door for Taylor. Taylor watches as the door creates distance between them and closing them off from each other forever.
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Hailey, what a great exercise!