Gated

1. EXT. APARTMENT COURTYARD -- DAY

BERYL, a thin, deteriorating 80, walks cautiously down the stairs and slowly to the solid door to the exterior. It has no window or peep hole. She presses the intercom button by the door.

BERYL
Yes, who's there?

The buzzer for her apartment can be heard echoing around the courtyard.

BERYL
Yes, you got the right one. My intercom upstairs
is on the fritz. That's why I came down.

The buzzer makes two quick replies. BERYL assumes the person is dull-witted.

BERYL
Just speak into the five little dots next to
the button you are pressing.

The buzzer buzzes a long buzz.

BERYL
I'm expecting a delivery man.
Are you the delivery man?

There is a long pause. Then the buzzer gives three short rings. BERYL'S face crinkles with suspicion.

BERYL
Just tell me who you are and what you
want and I'll open the door.

The buzzer buzzes two long rings. BERYL becomes stern.

BERYL
Listen. Do you think this is funny? I can
just go upstairs and ask my friend if I
can look out her window and see who
is causing all this trouble. Are you the
delivery man, or aren't you?

The buzzer is pressed and is not released. BERYL grows more and more infuriated. She looks at the stairs and looks back at the door with increasing fury, uncertain what to do. Finally, she flies at the intercom button.

BERYL
ENOUGH!

The buzzer stops immediately. BERYL waits in the sudden silence, holding her breath for another sound. All is quiet. BERYL sets her mouth in grim determination, her chest heaving with anger and fear. She grabs the handle of the door, and pulls it open quickly. No one is there. BERYL cautiously steps out of the threshold, and looks up and down the deserted sidewalk. She looks at the normal day for a moment, deflated, and closes the door.


04/10/07 KAG