Scarlet Palms: Script Extract
Scarlet is sleeping in the corner of her attic rom with a blanket all over her face.
The Dad opens the attic door.
He looks over to Scarlet and sighs.
Cuts to a long shot of them sitting on the floor in silence.
The Dad looks disapprovingly at her for a few seconds, then turns back to face the floor.
Dad: What caused this?
Scarlet Pauses, then swallows.
Scarlet: I don’t know.
Dad: I can’t keep on like this. You’ve got to stop.
Scarlet: I know.
Dad: Then Stop.
Scarlet: I can’t.
Dad: Why not.
Scarlet Snaps
Scarlet: Because.
Dad: This is serious. These are innocent people.
Scarlet narrows her eyes
Scarlet: You think I enjoy it?
Dad a bit afraid of her but tries to hide it
Dad: Well…no. But why can’t you at least try to get something else?
Scarlet: I’ve already tried. It makes me sick.
Dad: It makes you sick?
Scarlet nods
There’s a silence between them
Then the Dad speaks
Dad: Maybe you could…I don’t know…take a break..from it..just for a little while.
Scarlet: I can’t. I’ll die.
Dad: Then Die.
Scarlet swallows back her shock and tears
Scarlet: Do you mean that?
Dad signs and rubs his forehead
Dad: Well..No..I just want to stop.
Scarlet feels sad
Scarlet: But I’m hungry.
Dad sighs
Dad: I know.
There’s another silence between them.
Scarlet looks like she’s thinking something over then says
Scarlet: Ok.
Dad: Ok?
Scarlet: Ok I will try to..stop.
Dad: You’d do that?
Scarlet: Yes.
The dad finds a little courage inside himself and gingerly strokes her hair.
In response, Scarlet purrs like a cat.
He retracts his hand in disgust and walks off shutting the door, leaving Scarlet alone.