Landlord - Act 1

On the count three table read Landlord, give me something spirited.
It is Halloween by you know what I mean here.
Tail Landlord written by Dominique Mouton. The landlords arelike the
tapeworm and the belly of the nation, devouring the substance
of the people. Act one exterior, Oak Creek Village night,
midnight Thanksgiving. A light wind pushes fall leaves around a
picturesque creek side Caneo Valley neighborhood. This is Oak Creek Village.
Oak Creek is surrounded by rolling hills and old growth
oak trees. The peaceful sounds of nature enveloped the area. Crickets, frogs, owls,
distant coyotes, Yibbie exterior the bungalow night at the end
of a cul de sex sits a quaint bungalow home,
still an eerie illuminated by the bright full moon. Moldy
jacka landers left from Halloween rod on the porch. Interior
the bungalow night. Flickering light from a TV flashes underneath
a bedroom door. Bedroom and inebriated Tim Evans forties is
passed out on a bed without sheets, empty beer cans
and wine bottles, litter the floor. There's a Twilight Zone
marathon on the TV that's been unwatched for hours. On
the bedside table a framed photo of Tim with his
wife and young kid in better times. Tim's cell phone
teeters on the edge of the table on the phone's
green six missed calls. The phone buzzes as an unknown
number calls again. Vibrations send the phone to the floor.
Crack.
Tim bolts are bright, disoriented. He reaches for the shattered phone.
He answers it, slurring his words yeah who on the
phone heavy breathing followed by deep, drawn out slurping noises.
Tim fumbles for the remote to mute the TV.
Gina is that you bear?
A male voice is muttering on the other end of
the line.
Need to raise the wrent? What I paid? The threat
to raise the rent? You think you can intimidate me?
I know my rights?
Ye listen, fuck you fuck your rent. Consider this my
thirty day notice.
Tim hangs up the phone tosses it to the side.
Wide awake, but a bit wobbly. Tim gets out of bed.
His jeans are unzipped, his sweater wrinkled, his feet bare. Kitchen.
Tim opens the mostly empty fridge takes out a block
of cheddar cheese. The fridge light reveals a gross cluttered
kitchen with toys strewn about. As Tim searches for a
clean plate, he knocks over a Lego pirate ship. The
pieces scatter everywhere crap. Tim bends over to pick up
the broken structure. He looks at it said for a moment,
then puts it back on the counter. A Lego piece
with a sharp edge remains on the floor. A few
minutes later, Tim vomits beer and cheddar into the sink.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand
and goes back to the fridge. In the darkness, Tim
hears the front door creak open. He turns the light
on and looks out the window nothing. As he steps back,
his right foot lands directly on the leg up. Furious,
Tim pulls out the lego lodged into the bottom of
his right foot, drops a blood trickle out. The front
door slams shut. At this, Tim begins to panic. He
limps over to the front door. Tim observes that the
door is locked. No sign of disturbance exterior the bungalow. Night.
On the front porch, Tim looks around nothing but darkness
in the silhouette of trees interior the bungalow. Moments later,
Tim returns inside, relocks the door, turns out the lights.
As he limps back to his bedroom, he stops and listens.
A heavy, wet, sliding sound approaches. There's no time to
respond before something yanks him to the floor. Tim looks
down at his bleeding foot. To his horror, a naked,
bloated man has latched his mouth on to the foot.
The man's skin is slimy, unnaturally darkened and ridged. Tim
freaks gill off. Desperate, he tries to kick the bloated
man off, but the man sucks and slurps and moans,
consuming the foothold. Tim screams in the dark.
Hopeless exterior Pacific Coast Highway day, A perfect day in Malibu,
Sonny seventy nine degrees, shimmering green, blue, ocean waves.
Songs are written about days like this. On top of
the Line, BMW from a few years ago drives down
pH interior car moving day. A woman with unruly curls
sits in the passenger seat, her feet on the dashboard.
Mika Deacon late twenties. She's breezy and granola but solid.
Mike ignores the ocean views. Mika, just making sure you're
paying attention. Mika ignores the ocean views, scrolls her phone
as her boyfriend, David Brewer thirties drives everything about Malibu
speaks to his soul Right now.
Mika, are you seeing this? These views are insane.
According to Wikipedia, fifty percent of Oak Creek Village's population
is over seventy five years old.
If this is December, imagine what summer is like.
Mika stares at David, waits for a response.
What you're moving us into a retirement community?
First, we're just looking zero obligations.
Second, older people means it's safe, a lot safer than
San Francisco.
What's the point of being safe if you're bored?
David looks at her feet on the dash.
Never see what happens to a person's legs when airbags
deploy in that position.
Why would the air bags deploy in a wreck? We're
not gonna wreck. Shit happens, then maybe you should trade
this thing in for a minivan.
Not gonna happen.
Interior exterior car moving Oh Creek Village day. David and
Mika drive into the tree lined community. The homes are small, cozy,
and folksy.
It's cute, I'll give it that.
Moments later, they arrive at a cul de sac, where
a charming bungalow home sits. The same bungalow where we
last saw Tim. It's far less menacing in daylight from
the porch a large sweaty man and a stretched out
polo and George's waves. This is Johannes latimalt sixties.
Is that the landlord probably be nice.
Meeka recognizes his nervousness and takes his hand.
Credit scores aren't everything. Let's dazzle him with our charm. Yeah, yeah,
we got.
This exterior the bungalow day. Johannes smiles grimly at David
and Mika as they approach, revealing teeth that resemble candy corn.
Welcome, I'm yohannas David.
This is Meka.
A pleasure to meet you.
Johannes extends a hand out to David, then Mika squish.
Mika looks at her hand. It's covered in a viscous
layer of sweat. David subtly wipes his hand on his jeans.
Lovely place you've got here.
I know, how about we get out of this hot
sun and head inside.
Interior the bungalow day The home is old fashioned but
inviting in bright, large windows overlook the creek.
Fuck off, su thank you, fuck Siri, Sorry you, guys,
I don't know how that happened.
From the home. The home is old fashioned but inviting
in bright, large windows overlook the creek.
Looks even better in person.
The original structure was built in nineteen oh one. You
see it retains a lot of those characteristics.
Bet it's worth a fortune now.
Huh, Red's five thousand dollars cash or check on.
Me getting down to brass tacks.
You won't find a better deal in the area.
Mika is still repulsed by her soiled hand.
I'm gonna look at the kitchen.
You're in for a treat. She nods politely heads to
the kitchen.
I'll show you the Master's sweet.
Oh you mean primary sweet.
Johanna stops dead in his tracks, smiles grotesquely.
Master's a bit outdated.
Outdated, you mean masters no longer exist?
An awkward beat, Johanna serves another grotesque smile.
Call it what you like, It remains the same.
Come interior exterior kitchen day, Mika washes her hands in
the sink. She looks out the window where water flows
down the tree shrouded creek. On the opposite side of
the creek, two boys rough house playfully. The intensity increases.
The bigger boy violently pushes the smaller one takes out
a knife. Disturbed, Mika bangs on the windo. Hey stop
that they don't notice her. The large boy jabs his
playmate in the gut with a knife. A moment later,
both kids are laughing. The knife is a wooden toy.
Relieved but still shaking, Mika regains her composure.
Get it Together.
Interior bedroom day. David walks around the large bedroom. Johannes
watches him carefully, unblinking.
What do you do for a living?
I started out in tech.
Now I'm mostly investing startups, a little crypto on the side, stocks.
Ah s, a coon, Valley guy, big money.
I sold an app last year for how much, let's
say seven figures.
Yet you are looking to rent.
We just sold our condo in the Bay Area. Don't
want to get tied down to enough mortgage.
So you like to things, sell things, but no steady income.
I'll show bank statements if you want or my investment portfolio.
Oh security, your lave of work very unstable, unpredictable.
David hesitates, unsure how to respond to his bluntness.
David is a creator.
Miga steps into the room.
An entrepreneur. It takes imagination, passion, instinct to do what
he does. He's not a nine to five worker Bee.
There's high risk and high reward in what he does.
All investments are risky. As a landlord, you're in the
same boat.
Your wife wears the bear as well, doesn't she We're
not married.
Johannis's eyebrows raised at this.
Are you planning to work?
I'm I was a teacher, but I'm taking a break.
We're starting a family soon, a baby.
Maybe we'll see.
Johanna's eyes go wide, his wet lips quiver. He wobbles.
Are you all right?
Diabetes? I get a little lightheaded if I don't eat it.
Exterior bungalow front porch day. Johanna sweats even more profusely
than before. Mika and David stand around, uncomfortable.
Let's do this another day.
You are a nice couple.
Know what I have?
The lease you can sign today?
Really, we need to think it over.
There's many applicants. If you don't want it, I'll move on.
Could you give us a moment?
No, Johannes looks at his wrists as if there's a
watch on it.
I have another person coming by in a few minutes.
We have other properties to look at, too. Johannas why
three minutes.
He totters towards his truck parked across the house.
We should go for it.
Are you kidding?
This guy's weird, maybe, but it's kind of perfect. He
didn't even ask for a credit check.
You don't think that's sketchy.
The house is as cute as hell. You're outside la
it's a safe area.
Sure something is off.
Mika, This could be our best chance of finding a place.
You've barely looked.
I can't take the humiliation of having to explain my
bankruptcy over and over again.
Miga knows he's right, but she's unhappy.
Please it'll be just for a year until we get
things back on track.
Interior Kitchen day. David signs his name on the lease.
He hands the pen Toomika, who hesitates a moment before
doing the same. Johannes takes the paper, folds it into
his pocket.
The contract itself is just a piece of paper. It's
your word that matters. So many previous tenants have been disappointing.
They've made promises they didn't keep.
Human renting seems so serious.
It's how my family and I eat. There's nothing more serious.
Absolutely that makes sense. What more thing do you have? Pets?
Two cats? Is that a problem?
The more the mere Exterior the Bungalow Day, Mika carries
a crate with two brother cats, Carl and Max. Super
Day one, David alternates between looking at his phone and
directing the movers as they unload boxes from a moving truck.
Working hard or hardly working. I'm going to bring Karl
and Max inside. Make sure the movers don't open the
office door.
Yep, got it.
Interior Office Day. Meka releases the cats from the crate.
They sniff around. Wary, Max skittish, runs back inside the crate.
Mika strokes his head. He responds with an angry girl.
Ah, Max, You'll get used to it.
Exterior the Bungalow Day, David sits on the front steps
with his laptop. He puts a vapepen to his mouth.
His phone buses, Hello, Brandon, can you hear me. Hold on,
I have no bars. I'll call you back.
Exterior street day, David walks away from the house phone
in the air. A decrepit elderly woman, Missus White, pushes
a friendly wheelchair bound doctor Daniels eighties. David gives them
a tight, obligatory smile as he walks by.
Hello, there, you're the new Oak Creek resident.
David Brewer.
I'm doctor Daniels, president of the Oak Creek HOA, and
this is my sister, Missus White.
You're young.
What do you do like for work?
I'm not interested in your hobbies? Yes, what's your line
of work?
Long story short? I work from home and you're can
to afford to live here.
Confused by the question, David considers how to respond.
That's not something you need to worry about.
My sister doesn't mean to be rude.
That's fine.
You know everybody calls your bungalow Handsel and Gretel on
account of it being so darned cute.
You can't afford it, can you.
I wish it'd head back. It was nice to meet you, David.
He turns to his sister and waves his hands in
the air.
Horse make tracks.
Missus White spins your chair around, gives David a last
glance Exterior the Bungalow day. Mika spots David up the
road as he walks back, his phone still in the air.
There you are. Do you know where the cat food is?
I'll take a look.
Okay, thanks? Who are those people?
Crackpots? They're in the ha I didn't know there was
an h That's right, We've got friends in high places now.
David walks toward the house to get Wi Fi asap.
Interior the Bungalow night, half eaten Chinese takeout and half
unpacked boxes everywhere. Mika tidy's up. David sits on the
floor with his laptop, right next to a brand new
modem and router. The face of his fast talking best
friend fills the computer screen. Brandon Rau thirties.
Dude, bro coin is blowing up. We're in one week.
One week, dude, that's insane. So what's it gonna take
for you to make the leap?
Now's the time?
Mika shoots daggerous in David's direction.
My portfolio is so packed right now.
Don't lose your edge, man, Mika's got you playing a
little house on the prairie, living out some.
House Frow fantasy.
At this, Mika storms over to the computer screen. She
flips Brandon off with both hands.
Hi, Brandon, Mika class is over.
Brandon flips two birds back. Mika sticks her tongue out, geez,
I gotta go. David slaps the laptop shut. Mika smiles, pleased.
That was very unnecessary.
He sets the computer aside, kisses her interior bedroom. Night
in the dark. Mika and David are under the covers.
You're not gonna let ran and screw you over again, right?
Obviously not my plan?
Good this Housefrow doesn't feel like hiding.
Your body in the creek housewife.
You are not I like being it for a moment
too much.
Mika looks at Carl and Max, snuggled at the edge
of the bed.
Since we're on the topic of babies, are we we
can't keep him frozen forever, David.
We just move. Let's get settled first.
We've got our nest egg from the condo, promising investments.
Not the money. Honestly, you really want to raise a
kid in a crazy world like this.
What happened to you is horrible, But we're not in
f anymore.
You're safe here, Mica smiles, appreciative, but uncertain. Interior Bedroom. Later,
in bed, Mika stares at the ceiling. The sympathy of
nocturnal wildlife keeps her up. David snoozes next to her.
Her eyelids flutter as she finally drifts off. Low vibrating,
throbbing noises, rhythmic, pulsating, slow, as if the house is breathing.
Max the cat looks up. He goes to the window
sill and looks out into the darkness outside the window.
The shape of a human face stares back. Interior kitchen day.
The next morning, Mika unpacks dishes into the cabinets. Super
Day two. David walks in, disheveled.
The hoofers here yet Nope, europe Early couldn't sleep.
Figured I might as well get up and be productive.
David approaches her, concern on his face.
Nightmares.
Changing settings didn't magically make them go away?
Go figure they will.
Mika wants to object, but doesn't have the energy. David
touches her arm reassuringly. Sure Interior office day. Dressed for jogging,
Mika refills the cat food bowls. Carl happily gobbles the
kibble that it really is just like it. Max cowers
in the corner. Mika calls him over with it sound.
He doesn't budge. Exterior Road day. Mika jogs up the road,
takes in the scener Missus White's house. Meka runs past
Missus White, who tends to her garden.
Where you're running from.
Excuse me, last.
Time I saw someone run that fast, it was from
a bear.
Meka double's back comes closer to Missus White's house.
I like your garden.
Missus White can hardly suppress a pleased smile.
It's the best in the neighborhood.
Interior Missus White's sitting room day. Missus Interior Missus White's
sitting room day. Missus White pours Mika a glass of
ice water from a pitcher. A large fly buzzes around Meca.
She shoes it.
Oh Creek was built on Tu Mars Indian land. It's
why everything he grow so nice. How they got those
people off the land not so nice.
I can only imagine.
Your bungalow was the very first house built in Oak Creek.
Really, I didn't know that.
Surprised Johannes didn't tell you. He's very proud of that fact.
Do you know him?
Well, known him since I was a girl. He's older
than me, believe it or not.
Right around in one hundred.
And fifteen, Mika nearly spits out her water.
One hundred and fifteen.
Years old, God's honest truth. At the turn of the
twentieth century, our grandfathers were business partners who sought to
purchase this land for cattle ranching. Of course, there was
already a chumarsh village here, but that was only a
mild inconvenience to them.
The fly continues buzzing in Mika's ear. She's very skeptical,
but very captivated by Missus White's story.
Anyway, First they had to acquire the land from the
Ray's family. The Rays were one of the original families
to receive land grants from the Spanish Mexican government. In
the end, a lot of blood was spilled on this soil.
Missus White is lost in thought. Mika grins, uncomfortable.
Don't tell me it's cursed or something.
I like to think it's blessed.
Mika goes to take another sip of her water. Before
she can, Missus White reaches over puts two fingers in
her cup, oh, what are you doing? Missus White opens
her wet hand, a dead fly in her palm. Mica
recoils as Missus White's eyes grow wide and intense.
I can smell your trauma. It's that husband of yours,
isn't it.
He's not my husband. Thanks for the water. I should go.
He can't protect you.
I have to unpack. Hold on.
Missus White opens a drawer, hands Mika a tiny bag
of seeds.
Seeds to get your garden started. Best heirloom tomatoes you
lever eat, and their ho way approved.
Mika hesitates before she takes them. Exterior the bungalow day,
Mika returns home, feathers still a little ruffled. Outside, Johanna
stands with David. Johanns wears the same clothes as when
they met him. He looks plumper now. His shirt fits
significantly tighter.
What's going on?
Apparently someone complained that we lift furniture outside.
But we're literally moving.
I know people around here have time, other heads, busybodies.
Sorry you had to come all this way for something
so silly.
I'm just a few minutes away. Call any time. I'll
be here in a jiffy.
Thanks your Hannas appreciate it.
Mika observes David's fawning expression. Interior office Day, Mika sorts
through a box of clothes. Karl rubs against her leg.
Needy for attention, She looks around for Max Max. She
makes the sound nothing. Panic begins to settle in as
she realizes he's not in the room. Exterior the bungalow Day,
Mika runs out to David, who's still chats with Johannes.
Where's Max? What do you mean he's gone? Did the
moving guys go in the office.
I don't know.
I don't think so. You should have looked in the house.
Of course I did.
Help me look outside.
Exterior road day, Mika and David frantically search for Max.
It's an elderly neighbor who walks down the street.
Excuse me, have you seen a black cat around here?
No?
Sorry?
Tears well in Mika's eyes as they keep walking. Exterior
trail day, Mika and David search along a wooded trail
near the house.
Mass you think he went to the creek.
Exterior Creek Day, Mika and David walk along the creek,
looking around. They head downstream behind their bungalow. Johanna stands
near the water.
The luck with your kiddie.
He's a smart cat.
He'll turn up near Johanns. Mika notices a black mass
near the water.
Is it Max?
She runs towards it. David, confused, follows. Sure enough, it's Max.
Mika pulls him up, soaking, wet and unconscious. Mika cradles him.
To her chest.
Oh my god, is he alive.
David leans in, puts his ear close to Max's face.
Max's breaths are short and small. He's breathing, but Mika
isn't concerned about his breath.
David's look.
Max is covered in juicy, shiny black leeches. They're bulging,
sucking on the small, bloody animal. David puts his hand
to his mouth, as if he's going to be sick.
Do you have the car keys? We've got to get
to a vet now.
Johannes watches as the horrified couple run to their car.
The meuse smile crosses his face.
I love that genius.
Interior veck clinic day. Mika and David sit anxious. The
veterinarian approaches.
All right, so those were definitely leeches. They've been removed unbelievable.
I've never even seen a leech in my entire life.
They're not common around here, let alone in the creek.
Poor little guy Ma's lost.
A lot of blood, but he'll be okay. Make sure
he stays inside. There's a lot of predators out there
that a house cat doesn't stand a chance against.
The vet walks back to the office.
I don't get it. He's terrified of going outside.
Cats hate change. He probably freaked with everything going on.
David squeezes her hand, but Mika isn't all reassured. Exterior
the bungalow day, a bright sunny day, Mika tends to
regarden out front. She sprinkles Die Tamasha's Earth on the ground.
Super Day sixty. Mika picks up a large rock, moves
it out of the way underneath a dozen squirming slugs. Disgusted,
she pours Die Tamasha's Earth directly on them. The white
powder clumps and dries them out. Squishy wet footsteps from behind,
Mika turns to see Johannes getting out of his truck.
He's more bloated and gorged than ever. His oily hair
is plastered to his.
Head, Johannes, Hi.
I'm here to look at that drain David's been complaining about.
Oh from two weeks ago.
It's not a perfect world, is it, Johannas excuse me,
an asshole. Johanna's signals to the garden fools.
The HOA is particular about plants.
I spoke with doctor Daniels. Were in the clear.
What a relief.
He steps closer to her.
I have a birthday next week. My family always does
a big dinner. You and David must come.
That's so nice of you. I'll check with David to
make sure we're free.
Johanna stares at her, unblinking, unsmiling.
But I'm I'm sure we can go.
That's great news.
By the way, it's probably better if you call ahead
next time.
I'm old enough to remember the day's people managed fine
without phones.
One hundred and fifteen, right, He makes a confused face.
That's what missus White said.
Johanns explodes in jovial laughter.
This is White is nice, but the poor old thing
is seen out. I'm sixty nine, not as sensational as
one hundred and fifteen, but there it is.
He heads back to his parked truck, starts the engine.
Hey, what about the dream bud?
Johannas is already pulling away. Interior office day. David hunches
over at his desk in front of several computer monitors.
Mika stands at the doorway.
Please don't tell me. You said yes, you think I
want to go, but it really insist it fine whatever?
He's on edge, anxious. Mika steps closer.
Is everything all right?
I have a headache and I need to get back
to work.
David turns back to his computer screen. Mica picks up Carl.
You don't have to be a dick about it.
She leaves, slams the door shut behind her Interior bedroom night,
Under the covers, alone, Mika watches TV in the dark.
Karl sleeps at the foot of the bed. Mika turns
to her side, closes her eyes. Begin Mika's dream. Interior
nursery day, A pretty colorful room in the center, A
cradle sways back and forth. Mika, dressed in black, steps
to the cradle. Mika pulls back the blanket to find
an unmoving dead baby, completely covered in black leeches. Interior
bedroom night. Mika's eyes shoot open. She's in bed but
can't move can't talk. Her eyeballs dart around in their sockets.
On the side of her bed. The silhouette of a
man stands over her. He's large, scary, evil, familiar. The
man prods Mika's lower abdomen with his fingers. He presses
harder and harder until his fingers pierce her skin and
Mika's dream interior bedroom night, Mika's eyes jolt open again.
She's covered in sweat. The TV is still on, the
light's still off. Max stands on her stomach, kneading her
belly with his cloths. His yellow eyes seem to glow
in the dark.
Oh, get off.
She pushes him away. He hisses at her. Interior car night,
David and Mika pull into Johannes's driveway. David already seems
fed up as he parks the car super day sixty five.
Let's agree to leap by nine. Deal. It's eight now,
an hour should be plenty of time.
Fine, you make the excuse exterior.
Johannes is home.
Night.
Mika knocks on the front door, David's sulky behind her.
The door opens. Georgia Laudimot forties, a big woman with
a friendly smile, beams at them.
You must be the Brewers. Well, I'm Georgia Johannes's daughter.
Actually I'm deacon, Mika Deacon. He's David Brewer.
Uh, I don't follow.
Georgia is truly confused. Mika opens her mouth to further clarify,
but thinks better of it.
You know what, never mind, Brewer is fine.
A relieved smile returns to George's face.
Okay, good.
Interior Johann's is home night. Georgia walks Mika and David
through the house. It's straight out of a Gothic nightmare. Dark, dingy, stale,
decades of dust permeate every inch. Old timey portraits of
long dead European ancestors hang crooked. David and Mika exchange looks.
Yikes.
Interior Johannes's Home dining room night. At a long dinner table,
several dinner guests sit quietly. They roll as frail and
decrepit as the house. They stare blankly at the couple
as they enter with Georgia.
Everyone meet the new tenants of the Oak Creek Bungalow.
I have seats for you both here.
Georgia directs them to two chairs.
Could I use your bathroom.
No, certainly, it's just down the hall.
I'll be right back.
David disappears as Mika, annoyed by his departure, takes her seat.
She looks at the dry, motionless faces around her. Georgia
grips Mika's shoulder.
Daddy will be here soon. He's just mashing some business nearby.
He works pretty late.
Oh lord, it is a twenty four to seven job.
I didn't realize he owned multiple properties.
Oh yes, many.
Georgie gives another big, empty smile.
I've got a few things to finish in the kitchen.
Make yourself at home.
She scampers away, leaving Mika alone with strangers. A brittle
man with tattooed sleeves gauks at her from across the table.
He wants to say something, struggles to speak.
Maddie, Way to hold it together, Jack.
Sorry.
The man holds out a bald fist towards Mika. He
drops a lego piece into her open palm.
Thank you, that's nice.
She tries to give the piece back, but he looks away.
Mika pulls out her phone.
Text thanks for ditching me, hurry back.
Interior. Johannes is home hallway night. David wanders down a long,
narrow corridor with numerous doors. A dim light.
Bulb flickers, where the hell am I?
Impatient? He tries to open one of the doors, It's locked.
He tries another, locked. David continues down the hall. He
chooses a random door, turns the knob. It opens. Interior
Johannes's home, bathroom continuous. David walks into the dark room.
He fumbles around for a light switch on the wall,
finds it, turns it on to his shot. A gigantic
man stands at the toilet bowl, his pants down. Fred
Lethemald twenties. He's not a nice guy. Fred turns his
head to look at David.
Sorry, dude, Uh I didn't.
Fred peas in the toilet, not moving, stares at David
with beady eyes and a head too small for his body.
As David backs away, he catches a glimpse of what
should be the guy's genitals. Instead, Fred holds a large,
deformed leech with sharp teeth with both hands. Too stunned
to speak, David scrambles to get out. He falls on
his rear. Fred zips up his pants, walks over to David.
Amen is so good. I'm Fred.
Interior Johannes's Home, dining room night. Mika is miserable. Finally,
she stands up from the table party me Predictably, the
decrepit dinner guests don't respond. Mika's about to go down
the hallway when she bumps into Fred. She's astonished by
successive height.
Are you in that norky guy?
Ha ha ha?
Are you with that dorky guy?
David?
You told me to tell you he'd probably be in
the bathroom for a while, some kind of stomach.
Thing, that's weird. He was fine when we got here.
I texted him.
Good luck getting reception in this place.
Fred extends a sweaty hand. Mika takes it.
Squish ugg, I'm Fred, Mika.
She looks back at the dinner table, and.
Who are they? They don't say much. Grandpa's friends johanness
is your grandfather?
Uh huh yep.
Fred looks Mika up and down, inspecting her closely.
Grandpa told us you intended to have children soon.
Mm.
Regnant women, it's so big.
That actually works in this scene. Grandpa told him.
Grandpa told us you intend to have children soon. Mm hmm.
Pregnant women gets so big full.
His lips quiver, his chin trembles, he's salivating. Grossed out,
Mika takes a step back.
Yeah, they do, but we'll go through a surrogate when
the time's right. Why I'd rather not discuss it. Why not,
because it's none of your business.
Fred's johnco slack, So.
No babies.
Rhetoric enough, Johanna stumps into the room, glower, said Fred.
Fred immediately falls back, petulant.
But if you're bothering.
You, you mean grandson.
Sure.
Mika looks at her phone. It's eight thirty pm.
It's late. I should check on David.
You are leaving. I just got here.
He has a lot of work to do.
She tries to go around fretch, but he stands in
her way.
What about my birthday?
Happy birthday? We need to go.
Johanna's face contorts through a range of emotions, disappointment, fury,
finally landing on indignation.
My sister cooked all day.
Just then, David stumbles into the room. Mika runs to him.
He goes weak as she supports him on her shoulder.
Let's get you home.
Johannes shoots a pointed look at Fred, who looks away.
Georgia comes out of the kitchen with a gigantic pot
of food, a goulash of some kind. She sets it
on the table.
Who everybody ready to dig in?
Thank you, but David's not feeling well. We appreciate your hospitalsality.
George's face drops. An old woman at the table coughs uncontrollably.
Blood droplets splatter across the table and into the pot.
Mika winces, unable to hide or disgust. End of Act one.
Grab a drinks, grab a bathroom break, Smoke some weed.