Happy Halloween! A Haunting Romance
Happy Halloween, gang! I’m gonna keep this short and sweet, so come see if I have some tricks or treats. I have a screenplay here about finding romance at a Halloween party. If you don’t like reading screenplays then uh well, I’m not sure. Just read it carefully? Look up how? It’s pretty straightforward, though. Okay have fun!
Roses are Violet
Eliasaph Maze Anderson
INT. HOUSE – EVENING
TAI (25) walks through the Halloween decorated house, in search for MAX (25). As Tai traverses through a crowd of people dancing in front of the entrance, he bumps into a girl dressed in a Star Trek uniform. The STAR TREK WOMAN (24) stops dancing.
STAR TREK WOMAN
Oh, hey, my bad. I was dancing a little too hard.
TAI
No. It’s my fault. The only person capable of doing the Monster Mash too hard is Frankenstein’s monster.
Tai salutes the woman and starts to walk away.
STAR TREK WOMAN
Hold on. I… haven’t guessed your costume yet.
Tai looks himself up and down. Pair of jeans, Chucks, a plain blue t-shirt, and a hooded jacket. He looks at the woman with one eye brow raised.
TAI
Uh huh… welp, I’ll give you one guess, Scotty.
A guy dressed as a greaser bumps into Tai as he dances pass. Tai slowly steps out of the flow of disharmonious hip thrusters. the talkative girl followed suit.
STAR TREK WOMAN
You know your stuff, I’m impressed. However, I’m having a hard time placing that hat.
Tai’s eyes look up to the ceiling. He pats the top of his cap.
TAI
It’s from a guy who loves to eat. It’s stupid. You wouldn’t know it.
He shrugs. The woman nods slowly with one hand cupping her chin.
STAR TREK WOMAN
Try me. No one loves food as much as I do.
TAI
Jughead’s hat from Archie comics?
STAR TREK WOMAN
Ahh I see.
TAI
Yep.
STAR TREK WOMAN
That’s unique.
TAI
I could say the same.
The woman fixes her long, brunette hair and smiles.
STAR TREK WOMAN
I’m Heather, by the way. Pleased to meet ya. Or you can call me Chief Engineer Heather.
TAI
Heather, beautiful name. I’m Tai.
Heather and Tai linger in silence for a moment.
TAI
And… I need to find my friends before they start leaving haunting messages on my phone. Maybe…I’ll see you later?
HEATHER
Oh. Yeah, sure. Maybe later.
TAI
Wicked.
Tai winks at Heather as he walks through a crowd of costumed party-ers.
INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Tai waltzes into the living room. His eyes scan for a ginger with a giant “R” on his sweater vest. Max waves his hand as if waving the golden ticket.
MAX
Over hear, man! What took you so long?!
Tai took the open seat on the couch next to a woman wearing a leather jacket.
TAI
I had to close the shop, you lazy ass. It would’ve been easier if you stayed and helped.
Max shrugged.
MAX
Sorry, bro. I had errands to run, I told you.
TAI
You came straight here, didn’t yo-
MAX
I was the fifth person through the door.
Tai furrows his brows and narrows his eyes.
TAI
Why is that?
Max holds up an orange gift bag. The kind you would see at a child’s birthday party.
MAX
Goody bags, man. Goody bags. There are nudes of the chick that’s hosting this party. Can you believe there’s a photo of twenty-two-year-old boobs?
Max nods his head in satisfaction. His eyes closed.
Tai slaps his palm to his forehead.
The LEATHER JACKET (25) woman between them shook her head from Max to Tai.
LEATHER JACKET
So you two are partners? Like partners partners or paaartners partners?
The woman mimes that she is sucking on a dick.
TAI
We run a cafe togeth–wait, I’m sorry, who are you?
Tai shakes his head in disbelief of the situation.
LEATHER JACKET
Oh. You two own Daydream Cafe. Cool. I can believe if Archie here was gay, but Jughead…nope. Don’t see it.
The woman proceeds to pull a cigarette out of a twelve pack with her mouth and lights it.
MAX
Did you not just hear that I have nudes in this bag?
LEATHER JACKET
I did hear that the girl’s boyfriend also made nudes of himself to put in those bags.
TAI
This chick’s smoking in the house and your biggest concern is that she thinks your gay? Also. Who are you?
The woman shifts her body towards Tai. She brushes her right leg against his left and lays her leg on the couch.
Max makes a face as if he just saw his parents having sex. He shuffles through the contents in the bag and color quickly drains from his face. Max slumps his head back and slivers a little ways down the couch.
The mystery woman wafts her chocolate curled hair away from her face.
Tai breaks his stare at the woman to witness Max’s soul rise out of his chest as if he was a Looney Tunes character. Tai reaches over and softly guides the spirit back into its body. Tai readjusts himself on the couch as Max slowly sits back up. The woman blows smoke into Tai’s face.
Tai coughs dryly and fans around his face.
LEATHER JACKET
Star Trek has come past here three times and never fails to linger on you.
The trio rotate their heads to the dance floor. Heather and another girl beside her quickly advert their eyes.
TAI
Her name’s Heather. Just met her.
MAX
You two gonna “look for ghosts” together like Fred and Daphne?
TAI
I was thinking of asking her out.
Leather Jacket chuckles and blows another puff of smoke into the air.
LEATHER JACKET
Good luck with that.
Tai and Max scoot closer to the woman. Both of their faces widen with intrigue. The woman crosses her legs.
She taps her cigarette on her knee and let the ash rain to the carpeted floor. Tai rolls his eyes.
LEATHER JACKET
You’d have an easier time dating me.
TAI
I don’t date smokers.
LEATHER JACKET
Clearly, you haven’t dated anyone interesting.
MAX
She can ride my star ship anytime.
Max nods his head toward Heather. The woman subtly shakes her head.
LEATHER JACKET
She’s the type of girl to dress up more than just on Halloween.
Tai pauses for a moment. reprocessing the woman’s words. Then he gets up and walks toward the dance floor. Max and the mystery woman look to each other. Then promptly follow suit.
INT. HOUSE – KITCHEN
Tai finds Heather at the counter, sifting through the drink selection. Heather pulls out a bottle of Jim Bean.
TAI
Go hard or go home type of woman, huh?
Heather turns to face Tai with a small jump.
HEATHER
Oh, hey. I was hoping to see you again.
Tai looks at her with a quizzical look. Heather laughs.
HEATHER
What’s with the face?
TAI
Oh uh nothing. Just um wondering if you’re gonna mix that with coke or something.
With notice of her shot glass, Heather laughs again and proceeds to down the whiskey.
She pours another glass and steps close enough to Tai that the magnetism between their hips heats up so much Tai pulls up the sleeves to his jacket.
HEATHER
Go hard or go home, right?
At the kitchen entrance, the mystery woman sighs fog. She shows her phone to Max and he holds in a gasp. After a breath, Max smiles, shakes his head, and points to Tai and Heather.
Tai gulps down the whiskey and kisses Heather.
Color drains from Max’s face and he mouths the word “fuck.”
Leather jacket moves her cigarette in front of max’s view. He takes a puff.
INT. HOUSE – DANCE FLOOR
TAI
Wow. The fact that you can keep up with half of my TV references is pretty wicked.
HEATHER
I love film. I watch more TV shows, but I’ve seen plenty of movies.
The duo dance, bodies close, as they laugh about each other’s interests.
Heather kisses Tai and leads him to the front of the house and up a flight of stairs. INT. HOUSE – SECOND FLOOR
Tai and Heather mix tongues as they rub up against a wall. Tai stops to check one of the room doors. It opens to an empty bedroom. Tai holds the door open.
TAI
Ladies first.
Heather walks into the room and turns to Tai. She points her index finger at him and curls it back to her. Slowly repeats the motion. Tai steps forward when a jerk pulls him down the hall.
Max takes Tai’s arm around his and charges toward the stairs.
TAI
Max, you motherfuck-
MAX
Hi pretty lady, bye pretty lady, need to borrow him for a sec!
Max shouts as he diligently speed walks away.
Heather steps out the room and blankly stares as Tai descends the stairs.
INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
Max swings Tai into the arm of the couch.
The mystery woman waves at him.
Tai sighs.
MAX
This is for your own good. She’s bad news.
TAI
She’s awesome, we have plenty in common, and I hate you.
LEATHER JACKET
Like Rogue-touching-you-without-her-gloves on bad.
TAI
X-Men?
MAX
She has a boyfriend, bro. Like- Max does a bodybuilder pose and puffs up his cheeks.
LEATHER JACKET
The only real Captain America tonight.
TAI
Had. She broke up with him a week ago.
Tai turns to his new mystery friend.
TAI(CONT’D)
Are you even speaking English?
The woman lights another cigarette and motions for Tai to take it. Tai raises an eyebrow and cocks his head slightly to one side. The woman retreats her hand and takes a puff.
HEATHER
What happened to you?
Heather walks from the dancing crowd to Tai’s side.
TAI
Ask these two.
Tai waves his thumb from the woman to Max.
MAX
Heya. I’m Max. But you can just call me the best-looking guy here.
Max winks. The mystery woman blows smoke in Heather’s direction and waves.
LEATHER JACKET
I’m VIOLET.
Tai and Max slowly turn to Violet. Mouths agape.
A loud slam is heard from the front of the house. Emerging from the flames of dancers, a tall, muscular man (26) in a Captain America shirt steps into the living room.
HEATHER
ADRIAN? Why are you here?
ADRIAN
To win you back, babe.
Tai glances from Max to Violet.
TAI
Captain America?
Violet shakes her pack of cigarettes to Tai. He puts one between his lips.
Violet takes out her lighter and holds it under the tip of the cig until Tai takes a puff.
HEATHER
Adrian, we’re done. Besides, I’m with Tai tonight.
Heather wraps her arms around Tai’s arm.
MAX
Did she say “tonight?” She just said “tonight.”
Max leans into Tai’s ear.
MAX (WHISPERING)
Dude, I don’t know if you caught that, but she just said “tonight.”
Tai sighs as smoke tackles the air.
ADRIAN
This scrawny loser? He’s nobody!
MAX
Hey! He makes great coffee!
TAI
How…the hell…does that help the situation?!
MAX
You ever see his art?! He can make swans in a cappuccino! I bet you can’t even spell that! Don’t worry, bro, I’m helping.
Adrian tightens his fist and his face starts to glow red.
TAI
Max! Stop helping! Does this look like helping to you?!
MAX
…And he’s not as handsome as I am, but he does alright! Oh. Yeah, I’ll stop now.
Tai motions for Heather to move away.
Violet rests her lighter and a cigarette in the palm of Tai’s hand.
VIOLET
These will help.
Violet winks at Tai and walks off.
Tai studies the purple rose on the face of the lighter. His mouth slowly forms an O shape and his eye lids relax. Tai looks behind him only to find Mario characters, pro boxers, and a girl dressed as a sexualized Pikachu form a ring in order to watch the big fight unfolding before them.
MAX
I’ll cheer you on, bro!
Tai finds Max on the other side of the living room. Max pokes his head above the arm of a chair. Tai squints and shakes his head.
ADRIAN
So you made out with my girl?
Adrian cracks his knuckles. Tai releases a puff toward Adrian.
TAI
How long do you kiss someone before you consider it making out?
Adrian lets out a yell and charges toward Tai.
TAI
God fucking damm-
EXT. COFFEE SHOP – AFTERNOON
Tai sits next to a woman (24) with chocolate curled hair as she cries into the palm of her hands. He extends a small cup of coffee in front of her face. A chocolate chip cookie rests on top of the lid.
TAI
It’s not ice cream, but it should relieve some pain.
The woman looks up at the cup and rubs her eyes. She wipes her hands on her cut-up, skinny jeans. Blotches of purple eye shadow are left behind.
The SAD WOMAN looks to Tai. He gives a pearly-white smile. The woman takes the cup, sips the coffee, and takes a bite out of the cookie.
SAD WOMAN
How much do I owe you?
Tai looks behind him to a small building with a sign that reads “Daydream Cafe” on top.
TAI
Nothing. Just stop crying in front of my café.
SAD WOMAN
I’m sorry.
TAI
Shit happens. We’ve all been there.
SAD WOMAN
Really?! Has everyone broke up with a guy that they loved for three years even though he mostly abused them verbally?!
TAI
It may be explicit to women, but they aren’t the only ones with “daddy issues.”
The woman tried to speak, but all she could do was chuckle amidst her tears. After some time, she takes another sip of coffee.
SAD WOMAN
Well, I do appreciate the pick-me-up, but I don’t think this will relieve my stress. Do you have anything stronger in there?
The two turn back to the café.
The woman watches as Tai’s eyes roll under his eyebrows.
TAI
I may have some spirits in there but getting drunk is usually a terrible way to get through… whatever this is.
He digs into his pockets and presents the woman with a lighter and half a pack of cigarettes. The woman gazes at the purple rose on the lighter.
TAI(CONT’D)
Smoking isn’t much better than drinking, but it’s calming and doesn’t cause you to blackout if you have too many. Just try to not get addicted, alright?
The woman tries to light the cigarette between her lips, but only sparks fly.
SAD WOMAN
Uhhhh why is this broken?
Tai laughs.
TAI
It’s not broken, you just need the magic touch.
Tai wraps his hand around hers and the lighter and flicks the flint wheel. The ignited flame causes the tip of the cigarette to wither and crumble.
The woman takes a deep breath, her eyes closed, she exhales smog into the air. She turns to Tai.
SAD WOMAN
Thank you for…
She rotates her head to the café to watch Tai become swallowed up by the door. The sign on the door read “Happy Halloween.”
INT. HOUSE – LIVING ROOM
MAX
Yo, Tai. You don’t need mouth to mouth do you? ‘Cause you’re shit outta luck, man.
Tai slowly opens his eyes. He winces as he does so and touches his right eye.
TAI (WINCING)
Fuck. That was a bad idea.
Max and the rest of the house are sideways. Tai’s hand scruffs the carpet.
He rolls over and picks himself up. With Max’s help, Tai plops onto the couch.
TAI
I won, right?
Max laughs.
MAX
Dude. He punched you over the couch and you rolled onto the floor, unconscious. It was the sickest thing I have ever seen!
Tai surveys the house. It’s quiet. Most of the party has gone on except for a few ghosts still getting drinks or making out on one of the chairs or on the staircase.
MAX
You’ve been out for five minutes.
TAI
Is Heather with Captain America?
MAX
No. She found a Tony Stark.
TAI
God dammit. I’m an idiot.
MAX
I tried to warn ya, man. Besides, I thought Violet was hotter anyway.
Max speaks mostly to himself now.
MAX (MUMBLING)
I wish she stuck around so I could get her number.
TAI
I remember her.
MAX
Yeah, she was with us most of the night, how could you forget? Did you get amnesia with that punch?
TAI
You know you’re an idiot, right? I met her last year but forgot.
MAX
How do you forget a hottie like that?! That’s fucked up, bro. You sure you’re not into guys? Just a little bit?
TAI
She looked different, okay? I didn’t recognize her. Plus, I didn’t think I’d ever see her again.
Tai shakes his head and checks the time on his phone.
1:00am.
Tai eased off the couch and stumbled out the front door.
EXT. HOUSE – EVENING
Tai finds a bench outside and takes a seat. The street light behind him shines a spotlight.
Tai ruffles through his pockets and pulls out a silver lighter and a crumpled cigarette.
The lighter has a purple rose on it.
He sighs.
With the slightly straight cig in his mouth, he flicks the lighter. It doesn’t light.
After a minute, Tai tosses the lighter away. It makes a clunk sound with the pavement and then the soft ruffling of grass is heard. Tai slumps his head to his knees, his shoulders rest on his thighs.
A pair of black heels appear next to his chucks. A soft, warm hand picks up his and a cold metal object is placed in it. Tai looks up at his hand and discovers the lighter.
He follows the other hand to the mystery owner.
Violet and Tai lock eyes.
Violet shakes a new, open pack of cigarettes. Tai takes one and places it in his mouth. Violet, her hand wrapped around Tai’s, flicks the flint wheel and guides Tai’s hand under the cigarette.
Tai takes a deep breath in and blows smoke up to the full moon. Tai looks back at his hand, up at Violet, and smirks. Violet retreats her hand with color popping in her cheeks.
TAI
So. Still wanna have that date?
Violet smirks back.
VIOLET
I don’t date smokers.
TAI
Clearly, it’s time we both dated someone interesting.
FADE OUT